Char-Grilled BBQ Ribs with Smoky Chipotle Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork ribs glazed with a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce, char-grilled to perfection for a flavorful backyard feast. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 90 minutes turns pork ribs, peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ketchup into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Meanwhile, in a blender, combine 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth to create the smoky chipotle BBQ glaze.
  2. Step 2: Rub 3 lbs pork ribs evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil, then place them on the grill over indirect heat. Cover and cook for 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: After 1 hour, baste the ribs generously with the chipotle BBQ glaze and continue grilling directly over heat for 10-15 minutes, turning and basting every 5 minutes until the edges are slightly charred and the glaze caramelizes.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Char-Grilled BBQ Ribs with Smoky Chipotle Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Char-Grilled BBQ Ribs with Smoky Chipotle Glaze?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Char-Grilled BBQ Ribs with Smoky Chipotle Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Char-Grilled BBQ Ribs with Smoky Chipotle Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Char-Grilled BBQ Ribs with Smoky Chipotle Glaze?

American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes