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

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

Tender St. Louis style ribs smoked low and slow, finished with a sticky sweet and spicy glaze for a flavorful bite. This southern-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 315 minutes pairs kosher salt, black pepper, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Cook: 300 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over all sides of the 3 racks (about 5 lbs) St. Louis style pork ribs. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Soak 2 cups applewood chips in water for 30 minutes. Preheat smoker to 225°F and add the soaked wood chips to generate smoke.
  3. Step 3: Place the ribs on the smoker rack bone-side down and smoke for 4 hours, maintaining 225°F.
  4. Step 4: While ribs smoke, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, and 1 tbsp hot sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  5. Step 5: After 4 hours, brush the ribs generously with the glaze and continue smoking for another 1 hour, brushing glaze every 20 minutes to build a sticky coating.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs from smoker and let rest 10 minutes before slicing between bones and serving with remaining glaze on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Sweet and Spicy Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 315 minutes (15 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 Style 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 kosher salt from drying out.

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

Southern 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.

Related recipes