Char-Grilled Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ Glaze

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

Succulent pork ribs grilled over charcoal and finished with a homemade sweet and spicy barbecue glaze. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 120 minutes pairs pork ribs, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 105 min Serves 4 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 2 tbsp smoked paprika. Rub the mixture evenly over 3 lbs pork ribs.
  2. Step 2: Preheat a charcoal grill to medium heat (about 350°F). Oil the grill grates with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Step 3: Place ribs on the grill bone side down and cook for 1.5 hours over indirect heat, maintaining temperature, flipping every 20 minutes.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp hot sauce. Brush this glaze over ribs during the last 15 minutes of grilling, turning and basting often until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs from grill and let rest 10 minutes before slicing between bones and serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Char-Grilled Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (15 min prep + 105 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 Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Char-Grilled Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ 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 Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ 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 Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ 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.

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