Spiced Rum Pineapple BBQ Ribs

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

Tender pork ribs slow-cooked with a sweet and tangy pineapple and spiced rum BBQ sauce that caramelizes beautifully under the broiler. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs pork baby back ribs, spiced rum, pineapple juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 180 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Remove silver skin from 2 racks of baby back ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a dry rub.
  3. Step 3: Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs.
  4. Step 4: Place ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet and cover tightly with foil. Bake in preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is tender.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup spiced rum, 3/4 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes until slightly thickened and syrupy.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs from oven and increase oven temperature to broil.
  7. Step 7: Brush ribs generously with the rum pineapple BBQ sauce and broil for 3-5 minutes until sauce caramelizes and edges are slightly charred.
  8. Step 8: Let ribs rest for 5 minutes before slicing between bones and serving with remaining sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Rum Pineapple BBQ Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Spiced Rum Pineapple 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 pork baby back ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum Pineapple 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 Spiced Rum Pineapple BBQ Ribs 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 Spiced Rum Pineapple BBQ Ribs?

American 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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