Smoked Honey BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Smoked pork ribs with a savory rub and honey barbeque sauce with a smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor.

These Smoked Honey BBQ Baby Back Ribs combine smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors to perfection. The seasoning rub, with chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne, adds a flavorful kick, while the honey BBQ sauce brings a blend of sweet honey, tangy red wine vinegar, savory Worcestershire, and a hint of heat from hot pepper sauce. Smoked until tender and juicy, these ribs offer a balanced, mouthwatering experience that’s sure to become a BBQ favorite.

Servings

2-4

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

  • Initial grilling phase: About 3 hours
  • Second grilling phase (after wrapping in foil): 2 hours
  • Resting time: 30 minutes

Total Time

  • Total time: Approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 rack of baby back or St. Louis style pork ribs

Seasoning Rub

  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne

Honey BBQ Sauce

  • 1/2 cup organic ketchup (fructose-free)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Instructions

Preparation

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs to improve seasoning absorption.

Applying the Seasoning Rub

Coat ribs evenly with yellow mustard. Mix chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne. Rub the seasoning blend generously over the mustard-coated ribs.

Grill Initial Phase

Preheat the grill to 250°F (120°C). Place ribs on the grill and cook for 3 hours to allow the smoke to infuse the meat.

Preparation of Honey BBQ Sauce

In a bowl, combine all sauce ingredients and stir until smooth.

Basting & Foil Wrapping

Lay out a double layer of foil. Remove ribs from the grill, place on the foil, and baste generously with the honey BBQ sauce. Seal the ribs tightly in the foil.

Grill Second Phase

Reduce grill temperature to 225°F (110°C). Place foil-wrapped ribs back on the grill and cook for 2 more hours.

Resting

Remove ribs from the grill and let them rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Tip

Serve with extra honey BBQ sauce and pair with coleslaw, cornbread, or other favorite sides.

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs using a paper towel to grip and pull. Then squirt yellow mustard over the ribs.

Rub the yellow mustard over both sides of the ribs.

Mix together seasoning blend.

Rub the seasoning over both sides of the ribs to coat.

Grill at 250 degrees open on the rack for about 3 hours.

After 3 hours, prepare to baste with BBQ sauce and wrap in foil.

Brush on the BBQ sauce and wrap in 2 layers of foil. Grill for 2 more hours at 225 degrees. Remove wrapped ribs from the grill and let rest at least 3 minutes before serving.