Honey Chipotle Pork Ribs with Cornbread and Salad

Look at this beautiful plate of Honey Chipotle Pork Ribs with Cornbread and Salad!

Ready to Enjoy the Heavenly Flavors of Ribs, Chipotle, and Honey?

Here’s our Honey Chipotle Pork Ribs recipe scaled down for two hungry people—or one person with a serious rib craving and zero regrets.

It’s got that rich, smoky heat from the chipotles, sweetness from our local honey, and the kind of sticky finish that demands you lick your fingers. No shame here.

This meal is perfect for a backyard BBQ night or a treat-yourself dinner that feels like a splurge.

Honey Chipotle Pork Ribs Ingredients:

• 1 rack baby back ribs (about 1.5–2 lbs)

• Dry rub:

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

    
    

For the glaze:

• 1/4 cup honey (use the good stuff—local and raw)

• 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (adjust to your heat level)

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste (just a touch for depth)

  
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.While the oven’s warming up, remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs if it hasn’t already been trimmed. This step is worth it—it helps the ribs absorb more flavor and get extra tender.

   
   

2. Mix the dry rub and pat it all over the ribs. Don’t be shy—get both sides evenly coated and let it hang out for about 15 minutes while the oven finishes preheating.

   
   

3. Wrap the ribs in foil (meat side up) and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, low and slow. The ribs should be tender and nearly falling off the bone.

   
   

4. While the ribs bake, make the glaze in a small saucepan, stir together the honey, minced chipotles, vinegar, and ketchup. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld. It should thicken slightly and smell amazing—sweet, smoky, and spicy.

   
   

5. Once the ribs are done, carefully unwrap them. They’ll be tender, so use a wide spatula or tongs to move them gently. Turn the oven to broil (or heat up the grill if you're going that route).

   
   

6. Brush the ribs generously with the glaze, then broil for about 3–5 minutes until the tops start to caramelize. Keep a close eye—they go from sticky to burnt in a flash. You want that perfect edge of char without crossing the line.

   
   

7. Serve immediately. Maybe with cornbread and a cucumber tomato salad, or just a roll of paper towels and good intentions.

Betsy and Pete

Vegas Bees

Las Vegas, Nevada

About Us: The Authors

Betsy and Pete from Vegas Bees

We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.

We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.

Our Commitment to Excellence

Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.

We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.