Grilled Half-Slab Pork Ribs with Spicy Dry Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

Tender pork ribs grilled over medium heat with a smoky, spicy dry rub that highlights the meat’s natural flavor enhanced by a balanced spice blend. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs pork ribs half-slab, brown sugar, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 3, 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.

Ingredients

• 1 (about 1.5 lbs) pork ribs half-slab
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Know when the pork is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the dry rub.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 1 half-slab pork ribs (about 1.5 lbs) with paper towels and brush all sides evenly with 1 tbsp olive oil. Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs, pressing gently to adhere.
3. Step 3: Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F). Place the ribs meat side down and grill for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway, until the outside is caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
4. Step 4: Remove ribs from the grill and let rest covered loosely with foil for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving.