Hot Honey Riblets

By Todd Martin January 10, 2026 3 mins read 317 Views

Savor the incredible flavors of these hot honey riblets! These bad boys are grilled to perfection and coated in a sweet and spicy hot honey mixture. Make a double batch because this delicious appetizer will go quickly!

What are riblets?

Riblets are the smaller bone-in rib pieces cut from a rack of pork ribs. They differ from rib tips which come from the meaty section located underneath a rack of spare ribs. This cut is perfect for the grill or smoker, oven, or a slow-cooker.

Recipe Ingredients

Riblet strips: You’ll need three pounds of riblets for this recipe.
Green onions
Sesame seeds
Easy Hot Honey
Salt and black pepper
Granulated garlic
1-2 disposable aluminum pans

How to make hot honey riblets:

Grilled set-up: Prepare your grill for indirect, two-zone cooking. Plan on 60 minutes of cooking time. If using a pellet grill, preheat to 250 degrees F. Use fruitwood for the recipe, and keep a reliable instant-read thermometer nearby!
Season them: Combine salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and season the pork riblets evenly.
Cook them: Place the riblets on the indirect cooking side, close the lid, and cook for 60-75 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees F.
Hot Honey: Prepare easy hot honey according to recipe instructions. Strain it to remove the pepper flakes, and keep it at room temperature until ready to use.

Chop and coat: Transfer the riblets to a cutting board and cut them into individual pieces. Place them in an aluminum pan and pour the hot honey mixture over the top. Toss to coat.
Caramelize: Place the aluminum pan back onto the grill on the indirect side for 10-15 minutes until caramelized.
Garnish and serve: Garnish riblets with chopped green onion and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Storing leftovers

Store hot honey riblets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350-degree air fryer or in the microwave until warmed all the way through.

More Recipes to Try!

Hot Honey Riblets

These grilled pork riblets are coated in a delicious hot honey glaze and then caramelized to perfection. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors makes this dish the ultimate appetizer. Perfect for game days, cookouts, and potlucks!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, American BBQ, Fusion

Keyword bbq riblets, grilled riblets, hot honey, hot honey riblets, rib recipe, riblet recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 30

Servings people

Calories 842kcal

Ingredients

3 lbs riblet strips
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
2/3 cup Easy Hot Honey
2 medium green onions finely chopped (garnish)
1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds (garnish)
1 disposable aluminum pan 13” x 9”

Instructions

Prepare your grill for indirect, two-zone cooking. Plan on 60 minutes of cooking time. If using a pellet grill, preheat to 250 degrees F.
Combine salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and season the pork riblets evenly.
Place the riblets on the indirect cooking side, close the lid, and cook for 60-75 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees F.
Prepare easy hot honey according to recipe instructions. Strain it to remove the pepper flakes, and keep it at room temperature until ready to use.
Transfer the riblets to a cutting board and cut them into individual pieces. Place them in an aluminum pan and pour the hot honey mixture over the top. Toss to coat.
Place the aluminum pan back onto the grill on the indirect side for 10-15 minutes until caramelized.
Garnish riblets with chopped green onion and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Store hot honey riblets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350-degree air fryer or in the microwave until warmed all the way through.