Smoked Paprika-Rubbed Beef Ribs with Tangy Tomato BBQ Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-28 · Updated 2026-06-28

Slow-smoked beef ribs rubbed with smoked paprika and brown sugar, paired with a tangy homemade tomato BBQ sauce for a backyard favorite. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 260 minutes, pairs beef ribs, smoked paprika, brown sugar 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs beef ribs
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (for sauce)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (for sauce)

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over 3 lbs beef ribs, then drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil and rub it in to coat.
2. Step 2: Place the ribs bone-side down on the smoker grate and smoke for 4 hours, maintaining 225°F, until the meat is tender and pulling back from the bones.
3. Step 3: While ribs smoke, combine 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until thickened and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Remove ribs from smoker and brush generously with the tangy tomato BBQ sauce. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with extra sauce on the side.