Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Homestyle Potato Salad

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

Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs smoked low and slow, paired with creamy homestyle potato salad for a classic Texas BBQ meal. This bbq & smoked ready in about 330 minutes pairs pork spare 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: 300 min Serves 6 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 700 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat smoker to 225°F. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp garlic powder; rub evenly over 3 lbs pork spare ribs.
  2. Step 2: Place ribs in the smoker meat side up, and smoke for 5 hours, spritzing every hour with a mixture of 2 tbsp yellow mustard and 1 cup water to maintain moisture.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, boil 2 lbs red potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender; drain and cool slightly.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup finely diced celery, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs; mix until combined.
  5. Step 5: Cut cooled potatoes into bite-sized chunks and gently fold into the dressing mixture; season with salt and black pepper to taste. Refrigerate until serving.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs from smoker once tender and internal temperature reaches 195°F; let rest for 15 minutes before cutting between the bones and serving with homestyle potato salad.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Homestyle Potato Salad take to make?

Total time is about 330 minutes (30 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-Smoked Pork Ribs with Homestyle Potato Salad?

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 spare ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Homestyle Potato Salad?

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-Smoked Pork Ribs with Homestyle Potato Salad 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 Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Homestyle Potato Salad?

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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