Slow-Roasted Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with Tangy BBQ Glaze
Tender pork ribs slow-roasted and smoked over hickory wood, finished with a tangy, house-made BBQ glaze for a perfect balance of smoky and sweet flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 320 minutes pairs pounds pork ribs, hickory wood chips, tablespoons brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 3 pounds pork ribs
- 1 cup hickory wood chips
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and soak 1 cup hickory wood chips in water for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to create a dry rub; generously coat 3 pounds pork ribs on all sides with the rub.
- Step 3: Place ribs in the smoker rack, add soaked hickory wood chips to the smoker box, and smoke ribs for 4 hours, maintaining temperature between 225°F and 250°F.
- Step 4: While ribs smoke, prepare the BBQ glaze by whisking together 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup honey, and 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan; simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Step 5: After 4 hours, brush ribs liberally with the BBQ glaze and continue smoking for an additional 1 hour, basting every 20 minutes, until ribs are tender and the glaze is caramelized.
- Step 6: Remove ribs from 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 Slow-Roasted Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with Tangy BBQ Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 320 minutes (20 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 Slow-Roasted Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with Tangy BBQ 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 pounds pork ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with Tangy BBQ 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 Slow-Roasted Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with Tangy BBQ Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Slow-Roasted Hickory Smoked Pork Ribs with Tangy BBQ 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.
