Grilled St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork ribs seasoned and grilled with a sticky, sweet, and mildly spicy glaze inspired by St. Louis regional flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 160 minutes pairs racks (about 4 lbs) pork spare ribs, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 6, 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: 30 min Cook: 130 min Serves 6 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 300°F). In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp cayenne pepper to make the dry rub.
  2. Step 2: Rub 2 racks (about 4 lbs) of pork spare ribs evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil, then coat thoroughly with the dry rub mixture, pressing it into the meat. Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp chipotle powder. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: Place ribs bone-side down on the grill and cook for 2 hours over indirect heat, maintaining grill temperature around 300°F. During the last 30 minutes, brush ribs generously every 10 minutes with the prepared BBQ glaze, turning once.
  5. Step 5: After 2 hours, check that ribs are tender and slightly charred on edges. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing between bones. Serve with extra glaze on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 160 minutes (30 min prep + 130 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 Grilled St. Louis-Style 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 kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled St. Louis-Style 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 Grilled St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs with Sweet and Spicy BBQ Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Grilled St. Louis-Style 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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