House-Smoked Ribs with Classic Carolina Vinegar Sauce

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

Tender, smoky ribs served with a tangy, vinegar-based sauce that cuts through the richness perfectly. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 380 minutes, pairs 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 480 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: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Remove the membrane from 3 racks of pork spare ribs. Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika, then rub generously all over the ribs.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups hickory wood chips for smoke. Place ribs bone-side down and smoke for 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: While ribs smoke, prepare Carolina vinegar sauce by combining 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp hot sauce, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until sugar dissolves and sauce is balanced.
  4. Step 4: After 4 hours, wrap ribs tightly in foil and continue smoking for another 2 hours until tender and meat pulls from the bone easily.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs from smoker and unwrap carefully. Brush ribs liberally with the vinegar sauce and serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does House-Smoked Ribs with Classic Carolina Vinegar Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 380 minutes (20 min prep + 360 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 House-Smoked Ribs with Classic Carolina Vinegar Sauce?

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 spare ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in House-Smoked Ribs with Classic Carolina Vinegar Sauce?

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 House-Smoked Ribs with Classic Carolina Vinegar Sauce 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 House-Smoked Ribs with Classic Carolina Vinegar Sauce?

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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