Honey-Chipotle Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Creamy Coleslaw

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-22 · Updated 2026-06-22

Sweet and smoky honey-chipotle glazed baby back ribs paired with a crisp, creamy classic coleslaw for a balanced BBQ plate. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 215 minutes turns racks (about 4 lbs) baby back ribs, kosher salt, black pepper into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 195 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving

Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

2 racks (about 4 lbs) baby back ribs
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chipotle powder
1/2 cup honey
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
3 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 medium, shredded carrot
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp celery seed
to taste salt
to taste black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Remove the membrane from the back of 2 racks baby back ribs. Combine 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp chipotle powder. Rub this mix evenly over both sides of the ribs.
Step 2: Wrap each rib rack tightly in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake low and slow for 3 hours until ribs are tender.
Step 3: While ribs bake, whisk together 1/2 cup honey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp yellow mustard to create the glaze.
Step 4: Remove ribs from oven and carefully unwrap. Brush a generous layer of honey-chipotle glaze on both sides. Broil ribs on high for 5-7 minutes until glaze is caramelized and bubbling, watching closely.
Step 5: For coleslaw, combine 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, and 1 shredded carrot in a large bowl.
Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp celery seed, salt, and pepper to taste until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Toss dressing with the cabbage mixture until fully coated. Chill coleslaw for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Step 8: Slice ribs between bones and serve with creamy coleslaw alongside for a classic BBQ combo.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Chipotle Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Creamy Coleslaw take to make?

Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Honey-Chipotle Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Creamy Coleslaw?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Chipotle Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Creamy Coleslaw?

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 Honey-Chipotle Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Creamy Coleslaw 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 Honey-Chipotle Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Creamy Coleslaw?

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.