Juneteenth BBQ Rib Tips with AB’s Sweet Heat Rub and Red Strawberry-Hot Honey BBQ Sauce

Key Ingredients

Pork Rib Tips

Rib tips are meaty, flavorful, and made for low-and-slow cooking. Leaving a little fat on them helps the meat stay juicy while the edges build bark.

AB’s Sweet Heat Rub

AB’s Sweet Heat Rub brings the sweet, smoky, and lightly spicy foundation for the rib tips. Use it generously on the meat and add a little to the sauce so the flavor carries all the way through. You can grab AB’s Sweet Heat from the shop if you need to restock.

Strawberry Preserves

Strawberry preserves give the BBQ sauce its red color, fruity sweetness, and sticky finish. They also help the glaze cling to the rib tips during the final cook.

Honey, Hot Sauce, and Vinegar

Honey adds shine and sweetness, hot sauce brings the heat, and apple cider vinegar keeps the sauce from tasting too heavy. That balance is what makes the glaze bold instead of just sweet.

Apple Juice

Apple juice is used for spritzing while the rib tips smoke. It helps keep the surface moist and supports that bark as the seasoning sets.

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the rib tips

Pat the rib tips dry, trim off any loose pieces, and coat all sides with yellow mustard or olive oil. Do not over-trim because rib tips need some fat to stay juicy during the cook.

Step 2: Build the seasoning

Season all sides generously with AB’s Sweet Heat Rub. Add smoked paprika for color and black pepper for bite if using, then let the rib tips sit for 20 to 30 minutes while the smoker heats to 250°F.

Step 3: Smoke, spritz, and wrap

Smoke the rib tips for about 1 1/2 hours using hickory, cherry, apple, or pecan wood. Spritz with apple juice every 30 to 45 minutes. Once the rub has set and the color looks right, wrap the rib tips or place them in a covered foil pan with butter and honey if using, then cook another 1 to 1 1/2 hours until tender.

Step 4: Sauce and finish

Simmer the strawberry-hot honey BBQ sauce until smooth and slightly thickened. Unwrap the rib tips, brush them generously with sauce, and cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes so the glaze tightens up. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks

• Use cherry wood if you want extra color to match the red strawberry-hot honey glaze.
• Do not sauce too early. The strawberry preserves, honey, and brown sugar can burn if they spend too long over the heat.
• A BBQ Spritz Bottle makes it easier to keep the rib tips moist without washing off the rub.
• Rib tips should be tender and easy to bite through, but not cooked until they fall apart like pulled pork.

Variations

• Extra-Spicy Rib Tips: Add more hot sauce to the glaze or use a spicy BBQ sauce as the base.
• Sweeter Celebration Glaze: Add a little more honey or strawberry preserves if you want a sweeter red sauce.
• Oven Rib Tips: Bake covered at 300°F for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, then sauce and bake uncovered until sticky.
• Brown Sugar BBQ Version: Use AB’s Spicy Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce as the BBQ sauce base for extra depth.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with Southern Baked Mac and Cheese for a classic comfort plate.
• Add Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Legs for the soul food side that belongs on the table.
• Keep the cookout spread going with Southern Barbecue Baked Beans and Steakhouse Potato Salad.
• Serve with Creole Cornbread, white bread, or rolls for catching extra sauce.
• Finish the meal with The Ultimate Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe or Chessmen Banana Pudding.
• For more cookout ideas, pair this with AB’s Juneteenth Recipes menu guide.

Notes

• Cook time depends on the size and thickness of the rib tips, so use tenderness as your guide.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat covered in a 300°F oven until warmed through, then brush with extra sauce if you have it.
• If the sauce tastes too sweet, add a splash more apple cider vinegar. If it needs more heat, add more hot sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these rib tips ahead of time?

Yes. You can smoke and wrap the rib tips ahead, then cool and refrigerate them. Reheat gently, brush with the strawberry-hot honey BBQ sauce, and finish uncovered until the glaze gets sticky.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover rib tips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep extra sauce separate if possible so you can add it after reheating.

Can I use a different rub?

Yes, but AB’s Sweet Heat Rub is built for this flavor profile. If you swap it, use a rub that brings sweetness, smoke, and a little heat so the sauce still balances out.

What’s the best way to reheat rib tips?

Reheat them covered in a 300°F oven until hot, then uncover and brush with more sauce for the last few minutes. That keeps the meat moist and brings the glaze back to life.

Can I make this recipe in the oven?

Yes. Bake the seasoned rib tips covered at 300°F for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, brush with sauce, bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, and broil for 2 to 3 minutes if you want extra color. Watch closely so the glaze does not burn.