Slow-Smoked Rib Platter with Tangy Pineapple BBQ Glaze
Tender slow-smoked pork ribs brushed with a tangy pineapple barbecue sauce, served with a fresh cabbage slaw. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 260 minutes pairs 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 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 lbs pork ribs
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 cups, shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup, shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for slaw)
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1/4 tsp salt (for slaw)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (for slaw)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat smoker or grill to 225°F. Mix 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp garlic powder in a bowl. Rub this spice blend evenly over 3 lbs pork ribs, coating both sides.
- Step 2: Place ribs on smoker grates bone side down and smoke for 4 hours at 225°F until tender and smoky.
- Step 3: While ribs smoke, combine 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: In a mixing bowl, toss 3 cups shredded green cabbage and 1 cup shredded carrot with 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp celery seed, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well combined. Chill until serving.
- Step 5: During the last 30 minutes of smoking, brush ribs generously with the pineapple BBQ glaze every 10 minutes to build a sticky, flavorful coating.
- Step 6: Remove ribs from smoker and let rest for 10 minutes. Cut into individual portions and serve alongside the creamy cabbage slaw.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Smoked Rib Platter with Tangy Pineapple BBQ Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 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 Rib Platter with Tangy Pineapple 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 pork ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Rib Platter with Tangy Pineapple 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-Smoked Rib Platter with Tangy Pineapple 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-Smoked Rib Platter with Tangy Pineapple 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.
