Smoky BBQ Ribs and Grilled Vegetables

Introduction

Few dinners capture the spirit of summer quite like Smoky BBQ Ribs and Grilled Vegetables. This classic combination is a surefire crowd pleaser, offering fall-off-the-bone tender pork ribs with a perfectly caramelized, smoky barbecue glaze, paired alongside vibrant, chargrilled vegetables. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, family celebration, or laid-back weekend feast, this meal delivers bold flavors and a festive vibe with minimal fuss.

Deliciously Unique Smoky BBQ Ribs and Grilled Vegetables

The secret to these unforgettable ribs is the slow cooking process paired with a generous rub of spices and a smoky BBQ sauce. The ribs cook up juicy and tender, infused with layers of smokiness that are balanced by the sweet and tangy glaze. Grilled seasonal vegetables like peppers, zucchini, and red onion complement the dish with their natural sweetness and a subtle char, making for a colorful and balanced meal.

Mixing the Perfect BBQ Rub and Sauce

A perfectly balanced rub is essential for mouthwatering ribs. Blend brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, a touch of cayenne, and black pepper for ribs that boast a rich, complex flavor. For the BBQ sauce, opt for a smoky style, or add a few drops of liquid smoke to your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce for an extra punch. For best results, coat the ribs in the rub a few hours before cooking to deepen the flavor.

Grilling Your Ribs and Vegetables to Perfection

Start by slow-cooking your seasoned ribs (either in the oven, on a smoker, or with indirect grill heat), then finish them on a hot grill with a generous slathering of BBQ sauce until beautifully caramelized. While the ribs finish, grill your vegetables until just tender and lightly charred. Slice any larger vegetables into planks or thick rounds for faster, more even cooking.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping BBQ Ribs and Grilled Vegetables

Arrange the saucy ribs on a large platter and scatter the grilled vegetables around for a truly eye-catching centerpiece. Pair with classic sides like coleslaw or cornbread for a traditional BBQ experience, or serve with a light salad for a balanced plate. Drizzle extra BBQ sauce over the ribs just before serving for added flavor and visual appeal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 and provides a balanced feast. Each serving of ribs with a generous helping of mixed vegetables contains approximately 650–750 calories, depending on the cut of ribs and BBQ sauce used. Grilled vegetables add nutrients and fiber, making this meal a wholesome comfort classic.

Smoky BBQ Ribs and Grilled Vegetables (Recap)

With tender, smoky ribs and perfectly charred veggies, this meal is a true standout. The deep flavor of the BBQ sauce, along with the satisfying crispness of grilled vegetables, makes it the ultimate summer dinner that’s sure to impress every guest at the table.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Prep the Ribs: Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Rub evenly over the ribs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight for deeper flavor).
2. Preheat the Oven or Smoker: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), or set up your grill for indirect low heat.
3. Cook the Ribs: Place ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet or in a foil packet. Cook for 2–2.5 hours until very tender.
4. Prepare the Vegetables: While ribs cook, toss bell pepper, zucchini, squash, and onion with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
5. Preheat the Grill: When ribs are nearly done, preheat your grill to medium-high.
6. Glaze and Grill the Ribs: Brush ribs liberally with BBQ sauce (add liquid smoke if desired). Transfer to the grill and cook for 5–10 minutes, turning and basting with more sauce, until caramelized and gently charred.
7. Grill the Vegetables: Grill vegetables for 4–6 minutes, turning once, until lightly charred and tender.
8. Serve: Slice ribs between the bones, arrange on a platter with grilled vegetables, and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is perfect for planning festive summer dinners or batch-cooking for the week ahead. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plan exactly which days you’ll enjoy this meal and generate smart shopping lists that include every ingredient you need for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient needs for every meal in your plan
• Organizes shopping lists by store section for quick and easy grocery trips
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten items
• Simplifies batch cooking and leftovers planning for busy families

Pro tip: Scheduling multiple BBQ recipes for a week? Let CookifyAI overlap ingredients, like olive oil or herbs, so you purchase just the right amount—helping reduce food waste and streamline your meal prep.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours (including grilling and resting time)