Maple-Glazed Smoked Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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

Pork ribs smoked low and slow then finished with a sweet maple glaze, served alongside creamy garlic mashed potatoes. This bbq & smoked ready in about 390 minutes pairs racks (about 6 lbs) pork ribs, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 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: 30 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 700 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, and 1 tbsp garlic powder. Rub this spice blend all over 3 racks of pork ribs, covering every surface evenly.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F with wood chunks of your choice. Place ribs bone-side down and smoke for 5 hours until meat is tender and pulling away from the bones.
  3. Step 3: Whisk together 1/2 cup maple syrup and 2 tbsp Dijon mustard. Brush the glaze generously over ribs and smoke an additional 30 minutes until the glaze is tacky and caramelized.
  4. Step 4: While ribs smoke, place 3 lbs peeled and quartered russet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Drain potatoes and mash with 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
  6. Step 6: Serve the maple-glazed smoked ribs hot alongside a generous scoop of garlic mashed potatoes.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Smoked Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 390 minutes (30 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 Maple-Glazed Smoked Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes?

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 racks (about 6 lbs) pork ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Smoked Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes?

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 Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes 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 Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes?

BBQ & Smoked 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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