Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle Glaze

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

Tender pork ribs slow-smoked over hickory wood and brushed with a smoky-sweet maple chipotle glaze for a perfect backyard BBQ treat. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 255 minutes turns pork ribs, hickory wood chips, kosher salt into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 240 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp chipotle powder in a bowl. Rub this dry spice mix evenly over 3 lbs pork ribs, coating both sides thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: Soak 2 cups hickory wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
  3. Step 3: Place the ribs bone-side down on the smoker grate, add drained wood chips to the smoker box, and smoke for 3 hours, maintaining 225°F.
  4. Step 4: While ribs smoke, whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp olive oil to create the glaze.
  5. Step 5: After 3 hours, brush ribs generously with the maple chipotle glaze and continue smoking for another 1 hour, applying glaze every 20 minutes until ribs are tender and the glaze is sticky.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs from smoker and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle Glaze 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 Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle Glaze?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle 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-Smoked Pork Ribs with Maple Chipotle Glaze 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 Maple Chipotle 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.

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