Maple-Glazed Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Baby back ribs gently smoked and finished with a sticky maple glaze for a sweet-savory crust. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 255 minutes pairs kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 2 racks (about 4 pounds total) baby back ribs
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cups soaked wood chips (applewood)
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove the membrane from the back of 2 racks of baby back ribs and pat dry. Mix 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, then rub evenly over both sides of the ribs.
- Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of soaked applewood chips. Place the ribs bone side down on the smoker rack and smoke for 3 hours.
- Step 3: While ribs are smoking, whisk together 1/2 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard in a small bowl to make the glaze.
- Step 4: After 3 hours, brush the ribs generously with the maple glaze and continue smoking for another 1 hour, brushing again every 20 minutes until the ribs are tender and the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
- Step 5: Remove ribs from the smoker, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice between the bones and serve with extra glaze on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Smoked Baby Back Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 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-Glazed Smoked Baby Back Ribs?
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 kosher salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Smoked Baby Back Ribs?
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-Glazed Smoked Baby Back Ribs 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-Glazed Smoked Baby Back Ribs?
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.
