Slow-Smoked Rib Tips with Maple Bourbon Glaze
Tender smoked rib tips glazed with a rich maple bourbon sauce, delivering a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 255 minutes pairs pork rib tips, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork rib tips
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp hot sauce
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp smoked paprika in a bowl to create a dry rub. Rub this evenly over 3 lbs pork rib tips, coating all sides thoroughly.
- Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F with a wood of your choice (hickory or apple recommended). Place the rib tips on the smoker rack, spacing them evenly, and smoke for 3.5 to 4 hours until tender and the meat pulls back from the bones slightly.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp hot sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly and becomes syrupy.
- Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of smoking, brush the rib tips generously with the maple bourbon glaze every 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize lightly on the surface.
- Step 5: Remove rib tips from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving with remaining glaze.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Smoked Rib Tips with Maple Bourbon 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 Rib Tips with Maple Bourbon 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 rib tips from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Rib Tips with Maple Bourbon 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 Tips with Maple Bourbon 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 Rib Tips with Maple Bourbon 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.
