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

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork ribs grilled to perfection with a sticky, sweet and spicy glaze inspired by St. Louis barbecue traditions. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 170 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 550 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: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-low heat, around 275°F. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp chili powder to make the dry rub.
  2. Step 2: Remove silver skin from 2 racks of pork spare ribs, then evenly coat both sides with 2 tbsp olive oil and the prepared dry rub. Let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  3. Step 3: Place ribs bone side down on the grill grates and cook over indirect heat for 2 to 2.5 hours, maintaining grill temperature around 275°F. Every 30 minutes, baste ribs with 1/2 cup water to keep moist.
  4. Step 4: While ribs cook, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup honey, and 2 tbsp hot sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until thickened into a glaze.
  5. Step 5: During the last 20 minutes of grilling, brush ribs generously with the glaze every 5 minutes to build a sticky coating.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs from the grill once tender, with meat pulling back from the bones. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting between bones and serving.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 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 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 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 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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