Maple-Bacon Smoked Ribs with Mango Pesto Glaze

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

Smoked pork ribs glazed with a vibrant mango pesto sauce balanced by the smoky richness of bacon and a hint of maple syrup. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 290 minutes, pairs pork baby back 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: 270 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat smoker to 225°F with apple wood chips. Season 3 lbs pork baby back ribs evenly with 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder.
  2. Step 2: Place ribs on the smoker and smoke for 4 hours, maintaining 225°F and adding wood chips as needed.
  3. Step 3: While ribs smoke, blend 1 cup diced mango, 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 2 tbsp pine nuts, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 4 slices cooked crumbled bacon in a food processor until smooth to create the mango pesto glaze.
  4. Step 4: After 4 hours, brush ribs generously with half the mango pesto glaze and continue smoking for an additional 30 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve ribs with the remaining mango pesto glaze drizzled over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Bacon Smoked Ribs with Mango Pesto Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 290 minutes (20 min prep + 270 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 Maple-Bacon Smoked Ribs with Mango Pesto 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 baby back ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Bacon Smoked Ribs with Mango Pesto 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 Maple-Bacon Smoked Ribs with Mango Pesto 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 Maple-Bacon Smoked Ribs with Mango Pesto 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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