BBQ Apple Cider Traeger Ribs

BBQ Apple Cider Traeger Ribs are the ultimate juicy, meaty, and messy dinner. This classic recipe has a twist of apple cider, making them extra tender. And if you don’t end up with a face full of sauce, you aren’t doing your ribs right!

about these bbq apple cider traeger ribs

You know what preggo ladies need to eat a lot of? PROTEIN.

I didn’t realize how little protein I consumed on a daily basis until I got pregnant and started reading into how much I should be eating a day… It’s a lot for someone like me.

It’s also a lot when you HATE the easiest meat in the world to cook – chicken.

Since chicken is on the no-fly list at the moment, I am turning to beef (full cooked through, le sigh) and PORK. Like these juicy pork spare ribs.

I don’t know why, but last week I was REALLY craving BBQ. I wanted to eat it all from pulled pork to ribs to brisket, etc etc etc. So, for the first time in a longggg time, I made ribs. 

Usually I make my ribs with a dry rub (like these pumpkin spice ribs), but this time I wanted to get messy. 

These apple cider ribs are some of the best, juiciest ribs I’ve ever made. It starts with a rub that’s spot on with a smoky and slightly spicy flavor. This followed by cooking it more with some apple cider and a final turn on the grill for some extra char. 

I love to use a spicy BBQ sauce, but you can use any flavor you like whether it’s traditional, homemade, or store-bought (no shame in that at all! I’m allll about a little shortcut wherever I can take it). Be sure to try the best barbecue sauce if you want a homemade recipe!

Note: This is an updated version of the original published on June 30, 2020. The recipe has been updated and the post now includes valuable information about making these ribs!

ingredients

sugar – you will need brown sugar for this recipe, but you can use either dark or light brown sugar!

spices – for the rub, you’ll need spices that are likely already in your pantry! Garlic powder, ancho chile powder (you can also use regular chili powder here), salt, pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika (or regular paprika), cayenne, and cinnamon.

apple cider – be sure to get still apple cider and not the sparkling stuff because that’s way too sweet for the recipe!

honey – you can also use agave here if you prefer.

ribs – this recipe calls for pork spare ribs.

bbq sauce – pick your favorite BBQ sauce! I like a spicy one because I think the heat lends itself well to the flavors in the rub.

this recipe’s must-haves

The smallest of your mixing bowls comes in handy to make both the spice mixture and the cider mixture. 

You also want to make sure you have a rimmed half sheet baking pan to prep the ribs on. I usually use two of these pans or you can get yourself an extra large one.

For grilling, I highly recommend using a Traeger grill because it imparts even more flavor, no matter what pellets you choose to use. You’ll also want a silicone brush to spread the BBQ sauce all over and tongs to flip them.

here’s how to make bbq apple cider traeger ribs! 

make rub

The rub is made from ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry! The one outlier may be ancho chile powder. You can use regular chili powder in its place, but I highly recommend investing in some ancho flavor. It’s SO tasty. 

Once you make the rub, make sure it’s spread all over the racks of ribs evenly.

smoke

Now let’s smoke them! The key to cooking ribs is to smoke them low and slow at 250˚F. The slow cook really keeps everything nice and tender, not to mention juicy.

smoke some more

Next you will need to pour over a mixture of apple cider and honey. Wrap each rack of ribs in foil, but before sealing them up, pour half of the apple cider mixture on top. Seal and place back on the Traeger grill, cooking for another hour. You get just the right amount of apple cider flavor, and it really complements the BBQ flavor. 

grill

Increase the Traeger grill to High heat. Grilling the ribs gives the outside that tasty crust that I absolutely DROOL over. You cook it for just 15 minutes more, basting it with your favorite BBQ sauce the whole time until it is nice and glazed… YUM.

Other yummy BBQ recipes: Korean BBQ Chicken Wings | BBQ Charcuterie Board | Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers | BBQ Pull Apart Sliders

can you use apple juice instead of apple cider?

You can definitely substitute apple juice for apple cider in this recipe.

when should I remove the ribs from the grill?

Check the internal temperature of the ribs before removing them from the grill. Finished ribs should be removed from the grill once they reach 195˚F to 203˚F. While 145˚F is the accepted finished temperature of pork, this does not give the collagen inside the ribs enough time to become gelatin for the best juicy texture. Cook the ribs until at least 195˚F for maximum render!

what if I don’t have a grill?

If you don’t have a grill, you can make these ribs in the oven. Simply follow the instructions as outlined in terms of temperature. For the initial bake, add the ribs to a greased baking sheet.

After the foil wrapped bake, crank the heat of your oven to 375˚F. Cook the ribs for 15 minutes on the bottom rack of the oven, flipping them every few minutes and brushing them with sauce. They will still come out nice and glazed!

Need some more inspiration for grilling? Check out my grilled recipes page!

what to serve with bbq apple cider traeger ribs

When you serve these ribs, be sure to have some extra BBQ sauce on hand because some people like their ribs extra saucy!

I recommend serving these with your favorite BBQ sides like pasta salad, coleslaw, potato salad, blackened corn etc. If you are a pickle lover like me, this dill pickle salad is always a crowd pleaser!

For a delicious cocktail, consider pairing this savory recipe with a tangy and tart cherry vodka sour in the summer! Making this recipe for tailgating? Whip up an apple cider margarita instead.

To round out the meal, try a slice of this decadent turtle pie recipe – it’s no bake and so easy!

how to store and reheat

store. Cooked pork ribs can be stored in shallow, airtight containers in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap! They will keep for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

reheat. Skip the microwave and reheat the ribs in the oven. Cover with foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet in an oven set to 250˚F. Reheat them until they are at 130˚F to 140˚F internally.

freeze. Cool the ribs completely, before wrapping them tightly in two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. You can also vacuum seal them! Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and follow reheat instructions above.

Finally, if you make this homemade traeger ribs recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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