Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Dry Rub and Honey Glaze
Juicy St. Louis style pork ribs slow-smoked with a bold dry rub and finished with a sweet honey glaze for a perfect balance of smoky and sweet. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 320 minutes pairs brown sugar, tablespoons paprika, tablespoon kosher salt 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.
Ingredients
- 2 racks (about 4 pounds total) St. Louis style pork ribs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a bowl. Rub this mixture evenly over both sides of 2 racks (about 4 pounds) St. Louis style pork ribs.
- Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F and smoke the ribs directly on the grate for 3 hours using your choice of hardwood chunks for smoke.
- Step 3: Mix 1/3 cup honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle. Every 45 minutes during the last 2 hours of smoking, spritz the ribs lightly with this honey glaze to build a sticky, shiny coating.
- Step 4: After 5 hours total, check ribs for tenderness by piercing with a toothpick; it should slide in easily. Remove ribs from smoker and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: Slice between bones and serve with your favorite barbecue sauce or extra honey glaze.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Dry Rub and Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 320 minutes (20 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 Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Dry Rub and Honey 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 brown sugar from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Dry Rub and Honey 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 Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Dry Rub and Honey 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 Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs with Dry Rub and Honey 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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