Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs
On July 18, 2023 (Updated September 27, 2024)
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These smoked apple jalapeno ribs are absolutely delicious and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The jalapenos in this recipe add the most amazing flavor with just a kiss of heat. Sweet and spicy come together in a magical union with these unique and must-try ribs.
Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs
We love us some ribs. There’s something about the messy hands and messy faces that make eating ribs feel like a whole experience. As long as you have some wet napkins handy, you’re good to go. I know you’re thinking that these ribs will burn your tongue, but really they’re pretty tame. Even non-spice lovers will love these if you’re able to talk them into getting past the huge slices of jalapeno lingering on each bite. If you can’t talk them into it… well darn. I guess that means more ribs for you.
(For those adamantly against heat, you can leave the slices of jalapenos off the ribs to help tone down the heat a bit.)
Another secret to the amazing flavor in these ribs is the flavor-infused braising liquid during the second step of the cooking process. After the ribs take on as much smoke as they can handle, they get a bath in a medley of apple juice and jalapenos that make the ribs super tender and dripping with unbelievable sweet and spicy flavor.
Ingredients for Apple Jalapeno Ribs
Here’s what you’ll need to make these ribs:
- 2 racks of baby back ribs
- 4 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 medium jalapenos
- 1 cup Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce
Both Sweet Rub and Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce can be purchased from the Hey Grill Hey Store. You can also make both of these from scratch using recipes here on the site. Check them out here:
How to Smoke Apple Jalapeno Ribs
You can cook these on any smoker you have available. I smoked these on my pellet grill which allows me to easily switch between the 180 degrees F for the first 3 hours and 225 degrees F for the remainder of the cook.
If you have a traditional offset smoker, try and shoot for an even 225 degrees F for the whole cook. You might find that the ribs take 4-5 hours instead of 6, so just keep an eye on your ribs during the foiling phase. If you have an electric smoker, you can just set the ribs to smoke for the first 3 hours, then transfer them to your oven during the foiled phase if you’d like to avoid refilling your pan with wood chips.
For a full recipe card with ingredients, detailed instructions, and links to recipes and products, scroll to the bottom of this post.
Tips for Smoking Jalapeno Ribs
Here are a few tips for making these delicious smoked jalapeno ribs.
- Check for multiple cues for doneness. One of my favorite ways to tell when ribs are done is when the meat has pulled back about 1/2 inch from the bones, your ribs are likely ready. Check out my post How to Know When Pork Ribs are Done for more information on what to look for to know when your ribs are ready to come off the smoker.
- Use the bend test. Another method for testing rib doneness is lifting one end of your ribs with tongs. They are done when the top of the meat just starts to shred when you bend them.
- Try an instant-read thermometer! If other visual cues aren’t cutting it for you, use technology to help you along. It can be difficult to get a perfect read on ribs without hitting bones, but shoot for the meat in between 2 bones and look for about 200 degrees F for melt-in-your-mouth ribs. The probe should slide into the meat very smoothly.
Apple Jalapeno Ribs Recipe
Follow the recipe, and I’ll teach you the simple steps to making your own Apple Jalapeno Ribs at home. If you’re looking for the ultimate way to help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero, join my members-only group The Grill Squad for full and exclusive access to all my meat, rubs, sauces, and meat buying master classes, podcasts, and so much more.
This post was originally published in February 2016. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs
Video
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs
- 4 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub recipe link in notes
- ¼ cup yellow mustard
- 2 cups apple juice
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 medium jalapenos sliced into rings
- 1 cup Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce recipe link in notes
Instructions
- Preheat. Prepare your smoker for indirect smoking by preheating to 225 degrees F. I use apple wood for this recipe.
- Prep and season. Begin by removing the thin membrane on the back of the ribs. Use a butter knife to lift a small corner of the membrane away from the bones, grip firmly with a paper towel, and pull slowly away from the rack. Slather both sides of the ribs with the yellow mustard and season liberally with the Sweet Rub.
- Smoke. Place the seasoned ribs on the preheated smoker and close the lid. Leave them to smoke for 3 hours.
- Make the braise. Tear off a large piece of aluminum foil and place it on a large working surface. Transfer the ribs to the foil bone side up so the bones don't tear through the foil. Sprinkle with the brown sugar, top with the butter cut into small pads, fold up the edges of the foil to create a slight bowl, and then pour the apple juice over the ribs. Once the liquid has settled, top the ribs with sliced jalapenos. Tightly crimp the foil together to create an airtight seal. Repeat with the second rack.
- Braise. Return the wrapped racks of ribs to the grill and keep your cooking temperature to as close to 225 degrees F as you can get it. Let the ribs braise for 2 hours in the foil.
- Remove ribs from braise. Carefully remove the ribs from the grill and place on a large working surface. Open the foil package (be careful of hot steam) and use tongs to remove the ribs and place them back on the grill, bone side down. Remove the cooked jalapenos from the braising liquid and set aside. Discard the foil and excess cooking liquid.
- Sauce. Brush the ribs with the Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce and arrange the jalapeno slices you set aside on top of the ribs. Close the lid of your grill and cook at 225 degrees for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour until the ribs are done to your desired tenderness and the sauce is sticky and set.
- Rest, slice, and serve. Rest the ribs for 10-15 minutes before slicing into individual ribs. Serve with additional sauce on the side.
Notes
- Purchase it from the store HERE: Sweet Rub
- Make it from scratch using this RECIPE: Best Sweet Rub Recipe
- Purchase it from the store HERE: Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce
- Make it from scratch using this RECIPE: Apple Jalapeno BBQ Sauce Recipe
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If only smoking one rack, do you cut the ingredients in half?
Yes!
Can this be used on ham?
It sure can!
I don’t have a smoker. How would I do them???
You can follow the same time and temperature instructions and cook in the oven.
This was the first thing I smoked on my new pellet grill. The ribs came fantastic. Falling apart tender and such a sweet spicy taste. My wife absolutely loved them. Thank you for the recipes
I’m on my 3rd time making these! They come out super tender and so delicious! The last time I made them the bones were ready to fall off the meat before I got to the braising step. The jalapeño gives them a nice kick. Thanks for the great recipe!
been smoking my ribs for over six months now. they turn out the best ever.
getting obsessed with jalapenos these days, I am going to try this as well.. 🙂
I tried them today, they are the best ribs I have ever tasted in my life. This is my first time smoking, this recipe was so easy to follow, I cannot wait to do them again.
What type of wood did you use?
I like hickory with a mix of cherry or apple wood.
Stumbled across this recipe last Thursday and had to make it the same day. It was a little after noon so, it was kinda late by the time we ate and all I can say is WOW! Absolutely delicious and worth the wait!!! Way to go! I will be checking out other recipes now. Thank you very much!
Thanks so much for coming back and leaving a comment!! So happy you liked this one!