Maple-Glazed Smoked Pork Ribs with Applewood

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

Juicy pork ribs slow-smoked over applewood and finished with a sticky maple glaze that brings a subtle sweetness and a smoky finish. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 315 minutes pairs pork ribs, coarse salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 15 min Cook: 300 min Serves 6 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Remove the silver skin from 3 lbs pork ribs and pat dry. Mix 2 tsp coarse salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder to create a rub. Apply evenly on both sides of the ribs.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F with soaked 2 cups applewood chips. Place ribs bone side down on the smoker rack and smoke for 3 hours, maintaining consistent temperature and smoke.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup pure maple syrup and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar. After 3 hours, brush the maple glaze generously on both sides of the ribs.
  4. Step 4: Wrap ribs tightly in foil and return to the smoker with 1 cup water in the pan to create steam. Smoke for an additional 2 hours until ribs are tender and glaze is sticky.
  5. Step 5: Unwrap ribs carefully, place back on the smoker for 15 minutes unwrapped to set the glaze, then slice between the bones and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Smoked Pork Ribs with Applewood take to make?

Total time is about 315 minutes (15 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 Maple-Glazed Smoked Pork Ribs with Applewood?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Smoked Pork Ribs with Applewood?

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 Pork Ribs with Applewood 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 Pork Ribs with Applewood?

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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