Applebee's Famous Honey Barbecue Riblets

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/5/23
Honey barbecue riblets applebees recipe

The Spruce / Victoria Heydt
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
709 Calories
47g Fat
39g Carbs
32g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 709
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 47g 61%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Cholesterol 159mg 53%
Sodium 1304mg 57%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 31g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 64mg 5%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 625mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This is the recipe for Applebee's famous riblets. It requires grilling (or broiling) the ribs, then steaming them to make them tender. It takes several hours to make them, but since they slow steam in the oven for a long time, it is a great choice for a party dish.

Riblets are technically still ribs, just a smaller part. They are the portion of pork meat that the butcher slices off from the underside of spare ribs. They contain cartilage but no bone and are just as delicious.

Enjoy this riblet recipe with your favorite sides, such as potato salad, baked beans, and corn on the cob.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork rib tips

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 2 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 cup water, plus more if too much evaporates during cooking

  • 1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke

  • 2 cups barbecue sauce

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for honey barbecue riblets applebees

    The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

  2. Preheat grill to medium heat.

    Preheat grill

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  3. Season ribs with salt, pepper, and garlic.

    Season ribs

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  4. Place on grill and sear on each side. Continue grilling until the ribs are nearly done.

    Place on grill

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  5. Place ribs in a broiler pan on a rack. Fill the bottom of the pan with the water and liquid smoke.

    Place ribs on grill

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  6. Close the pan or cover it to seal. Place in the oven at 275 F/135 C for 2 to 4 hours. The longer you leave them, the more tender they will be.

    Foil wrap and cover your ribs

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  7. Brush with plenty of heated barbecue sauce right before you serve. 

    Brush with barbecue sauce

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  8. Pair with your choice of sides and enjoy!

    enjoy Applebee's Famous Honey Barbecue Riblets

    The Spruce / Victoria Heydt