Savor the ultimate backyard barbecue experience with these incredibly flavorful Grilled Orange Honey Ribs. Whether you prefer the smoky depths of a smoker or the fiery char of a classic grill, this recipe delivers perfectly tender pork ribs coated in a rich, homemade rub and finished with a sticky, vibrant orange honey glaze. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that elevates any summer gathering.
This mouth-watering recipe emerged as a standout in a recent culinary competition, proudly sponsored by BUSH’S® Beans. The insights and delicious details shared within this article are a testament to the passion for grilling, all crafted by me as part of this exciting collaboration.
Mastering Backyard BBQ: Discovering Regional Flavors
There’s something uniquely American about firing up the grill and spending a sunny afternoon perfecting the art of barbecue. This cherished summer tradition inspired a fascinating regional recipe contest, hosted by none other than BUSH’S® Beans. Earlier in the year, BUSH’S® Beans conducted a comprehensive consumer survey delving into America’s grilling habits, uncovering regional preferences and culinary creativity. Motivated by these findings, they launched a captivating recipe competition, inviting home cooks from across the U.S. to showcase their best backyard BBQ creations, drawing inspiration from the four distinct BBQ regions: the Midwest, Northeast, South, and West.
The contest was designed to celebrate the diverse culinary landscape of American barbecue, highlighting how different regions interpret this beloved cooking style. From tangy vinegar-based sauces of the Carolinas to the rich, smoky flavors of Texas and the sweet, molasses-laden glazes of Kansas City, each region boasts a unique identity. This competition sought to capture that spirit, challenging participants to innovate while honoring their regional heritage. The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by the contestants were truly inspiring, resulting in an incredible array of dishes that pushed the boundaries of traditional BBQ.
Ignite Your Grills: A Celebration of American BBQ Traditions
The level of talent and innovation showcased in this recipe contest was phenomenal, making the selection process an incredibly tough, albeit delicious, challenge. Participants were tasked with crafting an original recipe that not only reflected their regional culinary spirit but also had to be cooked on a grill and pair harmoniously with one of BUSH’S® Baked Beans or Grillin’ Beans varieties. After much deliberation, I had the pleasure of selecting one winning recipe from each region to highlight, and I can honestly say that every single recipe I’ve had the chance to prepare has been bursting with incredible flavor. My only regret is that I wasn’t a judge for the entire contest, as the caliber of entries was truly exceptional!
This event underscored the versatility of grilling, proving that you don’t always need a dedicated smoker to achieve deeply flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs. Many recipes, including our featured winner, demonstrated how a conventional grill can be transformed into a low-and-slow cooking haven, capable of producing results that rival professional pitmasters. The emphasis on pairing these grilled masterpieces with BUSH’S® Beans also opened up a world of complementary flavors, showcasing how a well-chosen side can elevate the entire meal.
The Star of the Show: Midwest Winning Orange Honey Ribs
Today, I am thrilled to unveil the fourth and final recipe selected from this remarkable contest: the irresistible Orange Honey Ribs. This masterpiece hails from Mike C. of Kansas, a proud winner representing the Midwest Region. Mike’s vision for these ribs is nothing short of brilliant, serving them alongside BUSH’S® Bold & Spicy Baked Beans. The rich, slightly sweet, and robust profile of BUSH’S Bold & Spicy Baked Beans, or even the exciting (and limited-time!) BUSH’S® Sriracha Beans, provide a fantastic counterpoint to the sweet, tangy notes of the ribs, creating a truly harmonious flavor experience.
While Mike’s original recipe called for smoking the ribs—a technique that undoubtedly imparts an incredible depth of flavor—I adapted his winning creation for preparation on a gas grill. The good news? The results were absolutely phenomenal! Even without a dedicated smoker, these ribs turned out tender, juicy, and packed with an exquisite balance of sweet and savory. Mike’s homemade rub is a fantastic blend of spices that penetrates the meat, and his special orange honey sauce transforms into a glistening, sticky glaze that perfectly complements the pork. Mike, you truly outdid yourself with this fantastic recipe! Your innovative approach to classic ribs has certainly earned its place in the pantheon of great backyard BBQ.
Gather Your Ingredients: Crafting the Perfect Rib Rub and Glaze
The secret to these incredible Orange Honey Ribs lies in a thoughtfully crafted homemade rub and a dazzling two-ingredient glaze. Quality ingredients are key to achieving the depth of flavor that makes these ribs truly unforgettable. Here’s what you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece:
- St. Louis Ribs: Known for their meaty profile and easy-to-manage rectangular shape, perfect for grilling.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: The foundational seasonings that enhance all other flavors.
- Sugar: Balances the spice in the rub and aids in caramelization for that perfect bark.
- Coriander & Cumin: Earthy and warm spices that add a subtle exotic note to the rub.
- Dried parsley: For a touch of herbaceous freshness and color.
- Garlic powder & onion powder: Essential aromatic elements that provide a deep, savory base.
- Chili powder: Adds a hint of warmth and a vibrant color to the rub, without being overly spicy.
- Orange marmalade: The star of the glaze, offering a sweet, tangy, and slightly bitter citrus punch.
- Honey: Contributes natural sweetness and helps create that desirable sticky, glistening coating.
Serve with: For the ultimate pairing, enjoy these ribs with BUSH’S® Sriracha or BUSH’S® Bold & Spicy Baked Beans, which provide a delicious, complementary kick that perfectly balances the sweetness of the ribs.
Step-by-Step Guide: Grilling Irresistible Orange Honey Ribs
Achieving tender, flavorful ribs on your grill is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping dish that will impress everyone at your next BBQ. This method focuses on indirect heat and a gradual cooking process to ensure moist, succulent results.
**1. Prepare the Ribs:** Start by placing your St. Louis ribs into a large aluminum tray. The most crucial first step in rib preparation is removing the “silver skin” from the back of the ribs. This thin membrane, if left on, can make the ribs tough and prevent your rub from fully penetrating the meat. To remove it, gently slide a knife under the membrane at one end, then grasp it with a paper towel for a firm grip, and peel it off in one swift motion. This ensures tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection.
**2. Mix the Rub:** In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the rub ingredients: kosher salt, black pepper, sugar, crushed coriander, cumin, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Whisk them together thoroughly until uniformly mixed. This ensures an even distribution of flavor across your ribs.
**3. Season the Ribs:** Generously season both sides of the ribs with the prepared rub. Don’t be shy – a liberal application is key to building a flavorful bark. Using your hands, firmly rub the spice mixture into every crevice of the rib meat. This step not only infuses the ribs with incredible flavor but also helps create a beautiful crust during cooking.
**4. Prepare for Indirect Grilling:** Once seasoned, cover the rib tray tightly with aluminum foil. This creates a steaming environment that will tenderize the ribs beautifully. It’s crucial for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture before the final glazing step.
**5. Slow Cook on the Grill:** Preheat your grill to a consistent 300 degrees F (approximately 150 degrees C). The key to tender ribs is low and slow cooking, so maintaining a steady temperature is vital. Place the foil-covered rib tray on the grill, ideally over indirect heat. Cook the ribs for approximately 2 hours. This initial phase ensures the ribs become incredibly tender before we introduce the glaze.
**6. Prepare the Glaze:** While the ribs are tenderizing, combine the orange marmalade and honey in a small pot. Gently heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the marmalade softens and thoroughly incorporates with the honey, creating a smooth, glossy sauce. This simple yet effective glaze will provide the perfect sweet and tangy finish.
**7. Glaze and Finish:** After 2 hours, carefully remove the ribs from the aluminum tray and place them directly onto the grill grates. To prevent sticking, you might want to rub your grill grates with a little oil or use a grill-safe nonstick spray beforehand. Using a pastry brush, liberally apply the orange honey glaze over the entire surface of the ribs.
**8. Build the Glaze Layers:** Close the grill lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize slightly. Carefully flip the ribs over, apply another generous coating of sauce to the other side, and cook for 5 more minutes. Repeat this process a couple more times, building up thick layers of sticky, flavorful glaze on both sides of the ribs. This step not only enhances the flavor but also gives the ribs a beautiful, glossy appearance.
**9. Rest and Serve:** Once the glaze is perfectly caramelized and sticky, remove the ribs from the grill. Allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and tender. Slice them into individual ribs and serve immediately with a generous side of BUSH’S® Sriracha Beans or BUSH’S® Bold & Spicy Baked Beans for a complete and utterly delicious meal.
Mike C.’s Original Smoker Directions:
For those who have a smoker and wish to achieve an even deeper smoky flavor, here are Mike C.’s original instructions for preparing these Orange Honey Ribs:
- Combine the rub ingredients and season the ribs liberally after removing the silver skin from the back.
- Place the ribs on a smoker preheated to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for one hour.
- After the first hour, carefully wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil and return them to the smoker for an additional hour. This “Texas crutch” method helps tenderize the meat.
- While the ribs are in foil, prepare the sauce by gently heating the orange marmalade and honey in a small saucepan until well incorporated.
- At the end of the second hour (after being in foil), unwrap the ribs and brush them generously with the marmalade and honey mixture.
- Leave the ribs exposed on the smoker for the third and final hour, allowing the heat to caramelize the sweet glaze onto the ribs, creating a beautiful bark and sticky coating.
- At the end of the third hour, remove your ribs from the smoker and carefully unwrap them from the foil. Slice and serve with BUSH’S Bold & Spicy Baked Beans to provide a delightful contrast to the sweet ribs.
Explore More BBQ Delights
If these Orange Honey Ribs have sparked your passion for barbecue, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of grilled and smoked delights waiting to be discovered. Expand your grilling repertoire with these other fantastic recipes:
- How to Grill the Best Pork Ribs
- The Best Crock Pot BBQ Ribs
- Smoked Beef Ribs
- Instant Pot Korean BBQ Country Style Ribs
- Grilled Baked Potatoes
- Grilled Chicken Legs
Grilled Orange Honey Ribs
Print
Pin
Rate
15 minutes
1 hour
20 minutes
1 hour
35 minutes
4
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
For the meat:
-
1
rack
St. Louis Ribs
For the rub:
-
¼
cup
kosher salt -
¼
cup
black pepper
-
2
Tablespoons
sugar
-
1
teaspoon
crushed coriander -
½
teaspoon
cumin -
1
teaspoon
dried parsley
-
½
teaspoon
garlic powder -
½
teaspoon
onion powder -
½
teaspoon
chili powder
For the sauce:
-
½
cup
orange marmalade -
¼
cup
honey
Instructions
- Place ribs into a large aluminum tray. Prepare the ribs by removing the extra “silver skin” off the back of the ribs.
- In a bowl, combine all the rub ingredients together.
- Season ribs liberally and rub it into the rib meat.
- Cover rib tray with foil.
- Heat grill to 300F degrees. Keep an eye on the grill temperature. Try to keep it at a consistent 300F degrees during the entire cooking time. Cook ribs for about two hours.
- In a small pot, combine sauce ingredients.
- Remove the ribs from the aluminum tray and place directly on the grill (you may need to coat the grill grates with oil or grill-safe nonstick cooking spray to keep it from sticking.)
- Apply sauce liberally to the ribs.
- Place lid back down on the grill and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Carefully flip the ribs over and add another coating of sauce. Cook for 5 more minutes. Continue this a couple more times to get a thick coating of sticky sauce on the ribs.
- Remove ribs from the grill and serve with BUSH’S Sriracha or Bold & Spicy Baked Beans.
Notes
Mike C.’s original directions for the smoker:
- Mix rub together and season ribs liberally after pulling skin off the back of the ribs.
- Throw ribs on a smoker at 300 degrees for one hour.
- After the first hour, wrap ribs in foil and put back on the smoker for another hour.
- While the ribs are cooking in the foil, in a small sauce pan, heat marmalade and honey to incorporate.
- At the end of the second hour, open ribs up and dress the ribs with marmalade and honey mixture.
- Leave the ribs exposed so the heat can caramelize the honey and marmalade to the ribs.
- At the end of the 3rd hour, take your ribs off the grill and remove from foil.
Main Course
American
Nutrition
Calories:
833
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
50
g
|
Protein:
66
g
|
Fat:
40
g
|
Sodium:
7318
mg
|
Sugar:
47
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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