Honey Jalapeño Party Ribs (Print-Friendly Version)

Tender baby back ribs with a sweet-spicy honey jalapeño glaze that caramelizes perfectly for an irresistible party favorite.

# Ingredients:

→ For the Ribs

01 - 2 racks baby back ribs, about 4-5 lbs
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp kosher salt
04 - 1 tbsp black pepper
05 - 1 tbsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1 tsp onion powder

→ For the Honey Jalapeño Glaze

08 - ½ cup honey
09 - 2-3 jalapeños, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
10 - ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
11 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
12 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
13 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra spice)
15 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter

# Steps:

01 - Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and pat dry with paper towels. Rub ribs with olive oil. In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub seasoning all over both sides of the ribs.
02 - For the oven method: Preheat oven to 300°F. Place ribs bone-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2.5 to 3 hours. For the smoker method: Set your smoker to 225°F. Smoke ribs for 5–6 hours using hickory or apple wood.
03 - In a saucepan, combine honey, jalapeños, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Simmer on medium heat for 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in butter and remove from heat.
04 - Remove cooked ribs from oven or smoker. Brush glaze generously over the ribs. Broil in oven for 3–5 minutes or grill over direct heat to caramelize. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.