Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple-Bourbon Glaze
Tender pork ribs slow-smoked over hickory wood, finished with a sweet and tangy maple-bourbon glaze that caramelizes beautifully. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 315 minutes pairs pork ribs, hickory wood chips, kosher salt 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork ribs
- 2 cups hickory wood chips
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F using hickory wood chips (2 cups) for smoke flavor. Meanwhile, mix 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 2 tbsp brown sugar in a small bowl to create a dry rub.
- Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs pork ribs and evenly coat both sides with the dry rub mixture. Place ribs bone-side down on the smoker grate, close the lid, and smoke for 4 hours until the meat starts to pull back from the bones and is tender.
- Step 3: While ribs smoke, prepare the glaze by combining 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened and fragrant.
- Step 4: After 4 hours, brush the maple-bourbon glaze generously over both sides of the ribs. Continue smoking for 1 hour more, basting every 20 minutes, until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple-Bourbon Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 315 minutes (15 min prep + 300 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 Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple-Bourbon 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 Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple-Bourbon 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 Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple-Bourbon 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 Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple-Bourbon 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.
