By: Jill Mills Posted: Sep 29, 2024

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These Honey BBQ Riblets are baked to perfection in a mouthwatering sweet and smoky sauce. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, they make for an irresistible meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. This recipe is sure to become a favorite pork dinner idea that will have everyone asking for seconds in your household!

A plated serving of riblets over mashed potatoes with a corn cob in the background, presented on a rustic surface with blurred kitchen utensils in the background.

Easy Pork Riblets Recipe

I love pork riblets! They are bite-sized pork ribs that become browned and caramelized in the oven. I have enjoyed my fair share of ribs and these are so good — even if you are someone who isn’t as big of a fan. My kids are picky when it comes to pork and they ask for this by name! There’s little to no honey BBQ riblets left over whenever I make this for dinner. It’s a true family favorite.

Why You’ll Love These Honey BBQ Riblets

Balanced flavors. These riblets are well seasoned and smothered with a perfectly sweet and smokey sauce.
Budget-friendly. I find that all of the ingredients used in this recipe are very inexpensive.
Kid approved. Even kids love these BBQ riblets for dinner!

A close-up shot of riblets with a glossy glaze sitting atop mashed potatoes, with a bright yellow corn cob in the background.

Recipe Ingredients

Each ingredient listed is crucial to achieving a balanced pork rib meal. You have sweet, savory, and smokey flavors that complement each other.

Boneless pork ribs: I find it easiest to use boneless ribs for this recipe. They are easily sliced into riblets since there is no membrane to remove, and they are less work to eat.
BBQ sauce: You may use any variety and brand of BBQ sauce that you enjoy. Try this Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce.
Brown sugar: Brown sugar’s sweetness and molasses flavor go great with pork. I use light brown sugar, but you may use dark brown if you want a deeper molasses taste.
Honey: This adds sweetness and helps thicken the honey BBQ sauce, making a nice glaze on the riblets.
Worcestershire sauce: I like adding Worcestershire sauce to BBQ sauces. It adds a salty, umami flavor.
Liquid smoke: This is an optional ingredient. I find it gives the ribs an authentic barbecued flavor.
Spices: I use pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, and smoked paprika. These seasonings pair well with the sauce, brown sugar, and honey.

Ingredients measured and in separate bowls for Honey BBQ Riblets.

How to Make Honey BBQ Riblets

This recipe has only a few steps, making it super easy to prepare! Plus, your house will smell amazing as the pork cooks in the oven.

Prep oven and baking dish. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Combine the pork and the remaining ingredients. Add the pork ribs to a large bowl with the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire, liquid smoke, and the seasonings. Toss the pork to coat each piece fully.

A mixing bowl containing raw riblets, brown sugar, and seasoning, being prepared for marinating before cooking.

A glass dish filled with raw riblets coated in sauce, prepared for baking.

Transfer to the pan. Pour the pork and any remaining sauce into the baking dish.
Bake. Put it into the oven and bake for 45-60 minutes. Once the sauce is thick and the pork is tender, it’s ready.
Cool and serve. Allow the riblets to cool slightly and then enjoy with your favorite side dish.

A close-up view of riblets simmering in a dark, rich sauce, topped with finely chopped herbs.

Serving Ideas

Here are some of my favorite side dishes to serve with this pork riblet recipe. From potatoes to slaw, there are so many recipes that pair perfectly. You may even make your favorite variety, too!

An overhead view of a plate of saucy riblets over mashed potatoes, with a corn cob on the side and sprinkled with herbs.

Tips and Variations

Cook them in the slow cooker. Try making this recipe in the slow cooker. After the pork riblets are coated in the sauce mixture, place them in the slow cooker pot. Cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low. They’re ready when they are fork-tender!
Prep ahead. Slice and coat the pork ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator up to the day before you plan to cook it.
Make it spicy. Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a kick.
Add Asian flair. Swap the Worcestershire for soy sauce and add a little ginger.

Proper Storage

Any leftover honey BBQ riblets can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You may also leave them in the baking dish and tightly cover it with plastic wrap. Reheat in a 350-degree F oven for best results.

Honey BBQ Riblets