Smoked Chipotle BBQ Baby Back Ribs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender baby back ribs smoked slowly with a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce that balances heat and sweetness perfectly. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 290 minutes, pairs baby back ribs, chipotle chili powder, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 20 min Cook: 270 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 racks (about 4 lbs) baby back ribs
2 tbsp chipotle chili powder
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1 cup ketchup
2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup water

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat smoker to 225°F. Meanwhile, combine 2 tbsp chipotle chili powder, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Rub this dry mix thoroughly over both sides of the 2 racks of baby back ribs.
Step 2: Place ribs bone-side down on the smoker rack and smoke for 3 hours, maintaining steady 225°F temperature. During this time, prepare the BBQ sauce by heating 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Step 3: Add 1 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup honey, and 2 tbsp minced chipotle peppers in adobo to the saucepan. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Step 4: After 3 hours, wrap the ribs tightly in foil with 1 cup water inside to steam the meat and return to the smoker for 1 more hour.
Step 5: Remove ribs from foil and brush generously with the prepared chipotle BBQ sauce. Place back on the smoker for an additional 30 minutes to set the glaze.
Step 6: Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones. Serve with extra chipotle BBQ sauce on the side.