Smoked Citrus-Maple Glazed BBQ Ribs

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

Tender pork ribs slow-smoked and finished with a sweet and tangy glaze combining fresh citrus and maple syrup for a balanced BBQ flavor. This bbq & smoked-inspired pork ready in about 225 minutes pairs pounds pork ribs, teaspoons kosher salt, teaspoon 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 210 min Serves 4 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Meanwhile, season 3 pounds of pork ribs evenly with 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder, rubbing the spices well into the meat.
  2. Step 2: Place the ribs bone-side down on the smoker rack and smoke for 3 hours until tender and smoky.
  3. Step 3: While ribs smoke, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: After 3 hours, brush the ribs generously with the citrus-maple glaze, then smoke for an additional 30 minutes to set the glaze and develop a sticky finish.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs from the smoker, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice between the bones and serve with extra glaze on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked Citrus-Maple Glazed BBQ Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 225 minutes (15 min prep + 210 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 Smoked Citrus-Maple Glazed BBQ Ribs?

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 pounds pork ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Citrus-Maple Glazed BBQ Ribs?

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 Smoked Citrus-Maple Glazed BBQ Ribs 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 Smoked Citrus-Maple Glazed BBQ Ribs?

BBQ & Smoked pork 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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