Smoked St. Louis-Style Ribs with Spicy Kentucky BBQ Glaze

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

Tender smoked St. Louis-style pork ribs with a sweet and spicy Kentucky-inspired BBQ glaze featuring bold paprika and cayenne. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 400 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 460 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: 40 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 460 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over both sides of the 2 racks of St. Louis-style pork ribs. Let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F. Place ribs bone side down on the smoker grates and smoke for 4 hours, spritzing every hour with 1 cup apple juice to keep them moist.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, make the spicy Kentucky BBQ glaze by whisking together 3/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp hot sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: After 4 hours, brush the glaze generously over both sides of the ribs. Wrap ribs tightly in foil and return to the smoker for 1 hour to set the glaze and tenderize further.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs from smoker, unwrap carefully, and slice between bones. Serve ribs warm with extra glaze on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked St. Louis-Style Ribs with Spicy Kentucky BBQ Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 400 minutes (40 min prep + 360 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 Spicy Kentucky BBQ 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 Smoked St. Louis-Style Ribs with Spicy Kentucky BBQ 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 Spicy Kentucky BBQ 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 Spicy Kentucky BBQ 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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