Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork ribs smoked over hickory wood and finished with a sweet and spicy maple chipotle glaze for a balanced BBQ flavor. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 320 minutes, pairs pork ribs (baby back), kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 300 min Serves 6 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Remove the membrane from the back of 3 lbs pork ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Step 2: Season both sides with 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder, rubbing evenly into the meat.
  3. Step 3: Preheat smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of hickory wood chips soaked in water for 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Place ribs bone-side down on the smoker rack and smoke for 4 hours, maintaining 225°F and replenishing wood chips as needed.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, combine 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder, and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until bubbling and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
  6. Step 6: After 4 hours, brush the maple chipotle glaze generously over the ribs and continue smoking for an additional 1 hour to set the glaze and tenderize the meat.
  7. Step 7: Remove ribs from smoker, tent with foil, and rest for 15 minutes before slicing between bones and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 320 minutes (20 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 Chipotle 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 (baby back) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle 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 Chipotle 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 Hickory-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle 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.

Related recipes