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

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Smoky grilled pork ribs finished with a homemade sweet and tangy BBQ sauce inspired by classic St. Louis flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 195 minutes pairs kosher salt, black pepper, paprika 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: 15 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to 275°F indirect heat for slow cooking. Meanwhile, mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl.
  2. Step 2: Remove membrane from back of 2 racks pork spare ribs, then rub 2 tbsp olive oil all over ribs and evenly coat with the dry rub mixture.
  3. Step 3: Place ribs on the grill away from direct flame, cover, and cook for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is tender and begins to pull away from bones.
  4. Step 4: While ribs cook, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup molasses, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp hot sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
  5. Step 5: During the last 30 minutes of grilling, brush ribs generously with BBQ glaze every 10 minutes, allowing sauce to caramelize.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs from grill and let rest 10 minutes before slicing between bones and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 195 minutes (15 min prep + 180 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 Tangy 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 Tangy 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 Tangy 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 Tangy 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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