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

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

Preparing the Ribs
Remove the membrane from the back of 1 rack of baby back or St. Louis style pork ribs by sliding a knife under it and pulling it off with a paper towel for grip. Pat the ribs dry. Rub the surface with 2 tablespoons yellow mustard to act as a binder. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, ½ tablespoon garlic powder, ½ tablespoon smoked paprika, ½ tablespoon oregano, and 1 teaspoon cayenne, then apply the seasoning evenly over both sides of the ribs. Let the ribs sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or refrigerate for several hours (or overnight) for deeper flavor.

Making the Honey BBQ Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup organic ketchup, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon liquid smoke, and 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for about 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.

Cooking the Ribs
Preheat your smoker or oven to 250°F. Place the ribs bone-side down on the grate or a rack over a baking sheet. Cook low and slow for about 2½–3 hours until the ribs begin to become tender.

Glazing the Ribs
Brush a layer of the honey BBQ sauce over the ribs and continue cooking for another 30–60 minutes, applying more sauce once or twice, until the ribs are fully tender and the glaze becomes sticky and caramelized.

Resting and Serving
Remove the ribs from heat and let them rest for about 10 minutes. Slice between the bones and serve warm with extra honey BBQ sauce on the side.