Slow-Smoked St. Louis Ribs with Sweet and Spicy Glaze

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

Pork St. Louis ribs slow-smoked and glazed with a balanced sweet and spicy barbecue sauce for tender, flavorful ribs. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 330 minutes pairs tablespoons kosher salt, tablespoon black pepper, tablespoon paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to create the dry rub.
  2. Step 2: Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of 3 racks St. Louis pork ribs and rub the dry rub evenly over both sides of the ribs.
  3. Step 3: Preheat smoker to 225°F and place ribs bone side down on the smoker rack. Smoke ribs for 4 hours, spritzing with 1 cup apple juice every hour to maintain moisture.
  4. Step 4: While ribs smoke, combine 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until glaze thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: After 4 hours, brush ribs generously with the sweet and spicy glaze and continue smoking for an additional 1 hour to set the glaze.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs from smoker and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving with extra glaze on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked St. Louis Ribs with Sweet and Spicy Glaze 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 St. Louis Ribs with Sweet and Spicy 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 tablespoons kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked St. Louis Ribs with Sweet and Spicy 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 St. Louis Ribs with Sweet and Spicy 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 St. Louis Ribs with Sweet and Spicy 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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