Smoky, Sweet, and Saucy: Ribs Glazed with Big Red and Chipotle Heat

Big Red Chipotle Ribs

August 12, 2025

In Texas, Big Red soda isn’t just nostalgic—it’s iconic. Its vivid color and sweet flavor scream childhood memories and backyard fun. So why not bring that playful energy into your barbecue? These ribs lean into the balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy by pairing Revolution Barbecue Pinche Gringo Adobo Rub with chipotle adobo, a buttery wrap, and a steady drizzle of Big Red. Pecan wood does the slow-smoking, while the soda adds character you didn’t know you needed. This recipe is bold, fun, and deeply satisfying.

Smoky, Sweet, and Saucy: Ribs Glazed with Big Red and Chipotle Heat

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Cuisine

American

Author: Glenn Connaughton

Glenn Connaughton

Servings

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

5 hours

Calories

540

These ribs showcase a masterclass in flavor layering. Using adobo sauce as a binder brings bold chile flavor right into the meat, while Pinche Gringo Adobo Rub adds a smoky, earthy backbone with just enough heat. A Big Red and water spritz delivers moisture and sweetness throughout the cook, and the butter-adobo wrap locks in tenderness and amplifies richness. The final glaze of Big Red Soda Chipotle BBQ Sauce brings a sticky, sweet-heat finish that clings to every bite. This is the kind of dish that makes people stop and ask, “What is that flavor?!

Cook Mode

Ingredients

For the Ribs

2 racks St. Louis–cut pork ribs
6 tablespoons adobo sauce from canned chipotles in adobo (1 tablespoon per rack as binder, 2 tablespoons per rack in the foil wrap)
1/2 cup Revolution Barbecue Pinche Gringo Adobo Rub (1/4 cup per rack)
10 pats unsalted butter (5 per rack)
1 can (12 ounces) Big Red soda
1/4 cup water

For the Sauce

Prepared Big Red Soda Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Prepared Big Red Soda Chipotle BBQ Sauce (see recipe at https://revolutionbbq.com/blogs/recipes/big-red-soda-chipotle-bbq-sauce)

Directions

Preheat the Smoker: Set smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit using pecan wood.
Prepare the Spritz: Combine the entire can of Big Red soda and the water in a spray bottle.
Season the Ribs: Remove the membrane from the bone side of the ribs. Rub each rack with 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce as a binder, then season generously on both sides with Pinche Gringo Adobo Rub.
First Smoke and Spritz: Place ribs on the smoker, meat side up. Spritz lightly at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes with the Big Red–water mixture. At the 2-hour mark, remove the ribs from the smoker and reserve the remaining mixture—about 1 cup—for the wrap.
Make the Sauce: While the ribs are smoking, prepare the Big Red Soda Chipotle BBQ Sauce according to this recipe so it’s ready for glazing later.
Wrap the Ribs: For each rack, lay out two overlapping sheets of heavy-duty foil. Add 5 pats of butter and 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce to the center. Place the rack meat side down on top. Begin folding the foil to seal the packet tightly, leaving one end open. Pour about 1/2 cup of the reserved Big Red spritz mixture into the open end of the foil packet, then seal it completely to trap the liquid.
Second Smoke: Return the wrapped ribs to the smoker, meat side down, and smoke for 2 hours.
Sauce the Ribs: Carefully remove ribs from the foil and place them meat side up on the smoker. Brush with Big Red Soda Chipotle BBQ Sauce. After 30 minutes, brush again with more sauce and cook for another 30 minutes to set the second glaze.
Rest and Serve: Remove from the smoker and rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Note

This recipe layers bold flavors at every step—from the adobo binder to the buttery wrap to the sticky-sweet glaze. Big Red adds a nostalgic pop of sweetness, while Revolution Barbecue Pinche Gringo Adobo Rub delivers chile-forward depth and a savory backbone that stands up to smoke. The soda spritz keeps the bark glossy, and the final glaze seals in everything you love about saucy ribs. To bring these ribs to your next cookout, grab a bottle of Pinche Gringo Adobo Rub from Revolution Barbecue and taste what happens when Texas tradition meets backyard creativity.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, and should only be used as an approximation

Serving Size 1 serving (375 grams)
Calories 540, Fat 31 grams, Polyunsaturated Fat 4 milligrams, Monounsaturated Fat 14 milligrams, Carbs 25 grams, Protein 37 grams, Potassium 610 milligrams, Fiber 1 grams, Sodium 990 milligrams, Sugar 19 grams, Iron 2 milligrams