Can’t decide between Buffalo wings and ribs? Have your cake and eat it, too, with my Buffalo Party Ribs. This recipe is ideal for those who want all the balanced flavors of Buffalo-sauced wings in a heartier form. The ribs are seasoned with a brilliant blend of citrus, spice, and sweetness; then, they get the perfect kiss of smoke on the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro. A homemade wrap seals in the moisture, leaving you with a perfectly tender rib that’s not too messy.
The ribs are sectioned into single-bone portions, making each bite flavorful, caramelized, and, best of all, juicy. Buffalo Party Ribs are meant for sharing, but we don’t blame you if you keep the entire pan to yourself! They’re just that good. This recipe is bound to be a hit at your next tailgating party, guys’ night, or casual family dinner. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for a complete meal!
Buffalo Party Ribs | Heath Riles BBQ
These ribs aren’t your standard barbecue dish by any means. Variety is the spice of life, and this recipe will bring color to your world! Ribs are a great base to experiment with, as they accommodate a wide variety of flavors. Check out my favorite creative rib recipes for more tasty eats. Instead of serving the ribs in multi-bone portions, I set them up single-bone-style, making them easier for friends and family to eat. Even though they contain traditionally spicy ingredients, the ribs are mild enough that you can serve them to anyone. You can always add a dash of cayenne pepper or even more Buffalo sauce if you prefer them spicier. Either way, you’re in for the time of your life. We call this style of ribs “party ribs” because they turn any regular day into a celebration!
The Ingredients
The best rib recipes use under 10 ingredients, making this dish a total winner! Here’s what you need to cook a rack of delicious Buffalo Party Ribs.
- Prairie Fresh Prime baby back ribs. If you’re looking for a quality rib with minimal trim work, check out Prairie Fresh. These ribs have given me great results when competing! Plus, they’re readily available at your local Kroger or Walmart.
- Duck fat spray. A good binder helps your spices stick to the meat. I love using duck fat spray because it doesn’t diminish the pork's flavor. Smooth mustard or olive oil are also great options.
- Heath Riles BBQ Hot Rub. This hot AP rub adds a burst of mild heat to seafood, ribs, chicken, and roasts. It was a key part of my win at the 2022 Memphis in May Rib Championship, and I know it’ll earn you the gold as well.
- Heath Riles BBQ Lemon Pepper Buffalo Seasoning. My lemon-pepper-infused Buffalo seasoning is ideal for foodies who love new flavor combos. Use it in your pasta dishes or to top shrimp, crab, wings, ribs, and steaks.
- BBQ Bob’s Mighty Mitch’s Wing Sauce. This sauce comes from my good buddy Bobby T and is one of the best out there. It features fresh garlic, honey, and spicy peppers that will give pizza, wings, or pulled pork an explosion of taste.
- Butter and brown sugar. I created a wrap using butter and brown sugar, two simple ingredients that take any rib to the next level. The brown sugar caramelizes the Buffalo sauce, giving the ribs that signature sticky-sweet taste. You can also use honey to amplify the flavors in the wing sauce.
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. The Equipment and Tools section contains more of my grilling favorites.
- Pellet grill/smoker. My Buffalo Party Ribs came to fruition on the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36. This is a spacious grill that you can use to cook main and side dishes simultaneously. It includes an innovative smoke box that you can fill with charcoal, hardwood pellets, or even wood to customize your recipe to the max. You can also experiment with their cold smoke mode!
- Charcoal. I stoked the grill with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, my favorite fuel for grilling for friends or professional judges. Royal Oak uses pure ingredients that give your food the most authentic flavor. Purchase a bag at your local big-box store to see for yourself.
The Process for Making Buffalo Party Ribs
If you prefer visual demonstrations, you’ll love my latest video. Here’s a brief rundown of how I pulled these mouthwatering Buffalo Party Ribs together.
- Fire up the grill. I stoked the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 275℉.
- Prep the ribs. I removed the ribs from their packaging and skinned the membrane. I also removed any hard fat pockets, stray pieces of bone, and gristle. I didn’t trim a lot off the ribs, as they are party-style, which is a little more forgiving. To finish prepping the ribs, I cut them into single-bone pieces.
- Add seasoning. I laid the Buffalo Party Ribs on a baking tray and sprayed them with duck fat spray. Then, I seasoned them on all sides with Heath Riles BBQ Hot Rub and Heath Riles BBQ Lemon Pepper Buffalo Seasoning. I let the meat sweat in for 10 minutes before smoking on the pit.
- Start cooking. I laid the ribs directly on the top rack of the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 and let them smoke for 45 minutes, then flipped them and let them cook for 25 more minutes.
- Wrap the ribs. I removed the Buffalo Party Ribs from the pit and placed them in a large aluminum pan. I drizzled the meat with BBQ Bob’s Mighty Mitch’s Wing Sauce and topped it with 4-5 pats of butter and brown sugar. This creates a delicious, simple wrap. I covered the pan with foil and set it back on the grill for 30 minutes.
- Serve and savor. The only thing left was to remove the ribs from the pit! My Buffalo Party Ribs took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to cook. At this point, they were 200℉ internally. I let the meat cool for 15-20 minutes before digging in. This cook time gave me a tender rib that was not entirely falling off the bone. If you want your ribs to be more tender, leave them on the pit for 15-20 more minutes.
The Results
This rib contained the best flavors of Buffalo wings with a nontraditional twist. The flavors tied in well, creating an experience for all the senses. If you want a new way to experience Buffalo-infused flavor, try this recipe!
Serving Suggestions for Buffalo Party Ribs
These Buffalo Party Ribs would go great with a plate of celery, carrots, and ranch. You can also serve them with one of my cooler side dishes, like coleslaw.
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Buffalo Party Ribs in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 4 months.
Equipment and Tools
Aluminum foil, Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, Heath Riles BBQ Heat-Resistant Gloves, disposable cutting board.
