Honey Chipotle Oven Ribs

Name: Honey Chipotle Oven Ribs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 racks of baby back ribs; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp onion powder; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; 1/2 cup honey; 3 tbsp chipotle sauce; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp olive oil

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 3 hours

🍽 Serves: 4

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Honey Chipotle Oven Ribs are your ticket to fall-off-the-bone tenderness with a kick of sweet heat. Perfect for a cozy night in or a backyard gathering, these ribs are as easy to prepare as they are irresistible.

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Ingredients for Honey Chipotle Oven Ribs

Baby back ribs are the star of the show here — they’re tender and cook evenly in the oven. Brown sugar adds a caramelized sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spices. Smoked paprika brings a smoky depth, while garlic powder and onion powder provide a savory backbone. Salt and black pepper enhance all the flavors, and a touch of cayenne pepper gives it just the right amount of heat. For the glaze, honey complements the smokiness with its natural sweetness. Chipotle sauce introduces a smoky, spicy kick, and apple cider vinegar adds a tangy balance. Worcestershire sauce offers a savory depth, while olive oil helps everything meld together seamlessly.

Tips & Tricks

For extra flavor, let the ribs sit with the rub on them in the fridge for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
Use a sharp knife to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for more tender meat.
If you prefer a less spicy glaze, reduce the amount of chipotle sauce to taste.

Serving Suggestions

These ribs pair wonderfully with a fresh coleslaw or grilled corn on the cob. For a heartier meal, serve them alongside baked beans or roasted potatoes. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can also nicely offset the ribs' richness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of ribs?: Yes, you can use spare ribs, but you may need to adjust the cooking time as they are larger and may take longer to cook.
How do I store leftovers?: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave, and add a bit more glaze if needed.
Can I make these on a grill?: Absolutely! Follow the same instructions but finish them on a grill instead of broiling for added smokiness.

Honey Chipotle Oven Ribs Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (149°C). This low and slow heat is key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture. While the oven is warming up, mix your dry rub: combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Make sure to break up any clumps to get an even mixture.

Now, lay your ribs out on a large surface, like a cutting board or baking sheet, and generously rub this spice blend over both sides. You want every nook and cranny covered for maximum flavor. Wrap each rack tightly in aluminum foil. This step is crucial as it traps steam, helping the ribs to cook gently and stay moist. Place the wrapped racks on a baking sheet, bone side down, and pop them into the oven for about 2.5 hours.

While the ribs are baking, let's move on to the glaze. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, chipotle sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil. Stir everything together until it’s well blended and slightly thickened. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Once it's nice and thick, set it aside.

After the ribs have baked, carefully remove them from the oven. Be cautious when unwrapping the foil; there will be hot steam. Discard the foil and brush the ribs generously with the honey chipotle glaze. Switch your oven to the broil setting. Place the glazed ribs back in the oven and broil for 5 to 7 minutes. You’re looking for the glaze to caramelize and bubble, which intensifies the flavor.

Once they’re done, let the ribs rest for about 10 minutes. This rest time allows the juices to redistribute, making every bite tender and juicy. Slice between the bones and serve immediately.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
Easy, no-fuss preparation with just a few steps.
Uses pantry staples you likely already have.
Great for make-ahead meals and reheats beautifully.

Ingredients

2 racks of baby back ribs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 cup honey

3 tbsp chipotle sauce

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp olive oil

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (149°C).

2. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

3. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs, ensuring full coverage.

4. Wrap each rack of ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulling away from the bones.

6. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, chipotle sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil. Stir until well blended and slightly thickened.

7. Remove ribs from oven, carefully unwrap, and discard foil.

8. Brush ribs generously with the honey chipotle glaze and set your oven to broil.

9. Return ribs to the oven and broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and bubbly.

10. Allow ribs to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

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