ENTREES: TRAEGER COWBOY CANDY RIBS

Trina Dunkin • June 14, 2024

TRAEGER COWBOY CANDY RIBS 

A tray of ribs with a wooden brush on a table.
Many amazing recipes come out of the Traeger kitchen. But when Nichole Dailey developed these sticky, spicy, smoky-sweet, cowboy candy ribs, she wowed the Traegerhood. People were literally begging for the recipe. The Cowboy Candy makes more than you need for the ribs, which should make you happy. Try the candied jalapeños on burgers, dogs, with cheeses, in cocktails, or any other way you can imagine.

Prep Time
15 MIN

Cook Time
6 HR

Pellets
HICKORY

FEEDS
6


INGREDIENTS 

15 jalapeños
2 1/4 Cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 Cup apricot preserves
3/8 Cup apple cider vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
RIBS
3 Rack St. Louis-style ribs
3/4 Cup yellow mustard
3/8 Cup Traeger Anything Rub
3 Tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
3/4 Cup cooked, chopped bacon

STEPS
1

Make the cowboy candy: Preheat the Traeger with the lid closed to 225°F; this will take about 15 minutes

2

Slice the jalapeños into ¼-inch thick rings and spread them out on a wire rack. Place the rack directly on the grill grate and smoke for 25 minutes.


3

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, preserves, vinegar, garlic, and black pepper.


4

Transfer the smoked jalapeños to the saucepan, then place the pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat so that the mixture is simmering, until syrupy and thick, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside 1 cup of the cowboy candy, including some of the syrup, for the ribs. Transfer the remaining to a heatproof container. Cover and refrigerate what you don’t use right away; it will keep for up to 2 months. If not making the ribs right away, cover and refrigerate the 1 cup of candy, too.

5

When ready to cook the ribs, heat the Traeger with the lid closed to 225°F.

6

If your butcher has not already done so, remove the thin papery membrane from the bone-side of the ribs by working the tip of a butter knife underneath the membrane over a middle bone. Use paper towels to get a firm grip, then tear the membrane off. Coat the ribs on both sides with the mustard. Sprinkle the Traeger Anything Rub and the black pepper on both sides as well; the ribs should be amply coated.

7

Place the ribs bone side down directly on the grill grate. Cook undisturbed for 3 hours. After 3 hours, brush the ribs with some of the syrup from the cowboy candy. Cook for another 20 minutes, then brush again. Continue cooking until syrup looks set and the internal temperature reaches 202°F .

8

Transfer the ribs to a cutting board. Line a rimmed baking sheet with butcher paper or parchment for easy cleanup. Slice the racks into individual ribs, then transfer the ribs to a large bowl. Add the bacon and the remaining cowboy candy (the jalapeños plus any syrup) to the bowl and toss well. Transfer the ribs to the baking sheet, scraping the jalapeños and bacon from the bottom of the bowl onto the ribs.

9

Place the baking sheet on the grill grate and cook until the sauce is set and warmed through, 35 to 40 minutes. Enjoy!


to check out our traeger line up click here!!!

Share Our Blog Post(s) However You'd Like!

Contact

For More Information Regarding this mower please get in touch with our digital team below, or come and see us in store at one of our 5 locations. We like phone calls too!

Contact Us


Don't be a stranger!

M&d Enterprises & The LawnMower Shops On Maps

Gingerbread cookies with icing and powdered sugar, alongside cookie cutters and a bowl of sugar, on a rustic blue wooden surface.
By Trina Dunkin December 12, 2025
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with homemade gingerbread cookies. Embrace the festive spirit by shaping these cookies into any shape you like and decorating them.
Stuffing in a black cast-iron dish, topped with walnuts and herbs.
By Trina Dunkin November 19, 2025
Our croissant stuffing with sausage takes a classic holiday side and gives it a rich, buttery upgrade. Toasted croissants replace traditional bread, soaking up all the savory flavor from sausage, celery, and herbs like thyme and sage.
Roasted turkey on a baking sheet with a knife and fork. Garnished with rosemary, on a wooden table.
By Trina Dunkin November 13, 2025
With a crispy outside and a juicy inside, this Traeger smoked turkey calls for simple spices and primal wood-fired flavor.
Fried burritos on a white platter with guacamole, diced vegetables, and fresh cilantro.
By Trina Dunkin November 5, 2025
These Southwest Egg Rolls are crispy, smoky, and packed with bold flavor—everything you love about Tex-Mex, rolled up and griddled to perfection. They’re the kind of appetizer that disappears before the main course even hits the table.
Chili in a black cast iron pot on a metallic surface, with a spoon in the side.
By Trina Dunkin October 22, 2025
Chorizo and ground beef combine to create an epic Traeger chili that the whole family will love. Our recipe features a tasty combo of meat and ranch-style beans, all melded together with veggies and spices inside a Dutch oven that cooks directly on the Traeger.
Dark red beef jerky with sesame seeds on a wooden surface.
By Trina Dunkin October 8, 2025
Warning: Once you make beef jerky on your Traeger, you’ll never settle for gas station jerky again. Smoky, savory, and dangerously snackable — this is next-level snacking done right.
Man on ye zero-turn mower on a green lawn; fall foliage in the background
By Luke Fuqua September 29, 2025
Winter is coming — and so is the snow. As temperatures drop and leaves change color, it’s the perfect time to think ahead and prepare your riding lawn mower for winter storage. By winterizing your riding lawn mower now, you’ll save yourself time, frustration, and potential costly repairs when spring rolls back around. In this guide, we’ll cover step-by-step instructions on how to store your mower properly , plus share helpful resources, related blog links , and even some recommended videos from our YouTube channel to make the process easier.
Autumn leaves cover a grassy lawn in warm sunlight.
By Luke Fuqua August 30, 2025
Get your Oklahoma lawn ready for fall with expert tips on aeration, fertilizing, weed control, and overseeding. Prepare now for a greener, healthier yard next spring.
a collage of grills, patio furniture, coolers, and ornamental booldes
By Luke Fuqua August 24, 2025
Beat the Oklahoma heat with the best outdoor entertaining essentials. Discover durable coolers, grills, and patio furniture built to last all summer.
Overturned car on a debris-filled road in a tornado-ravaged area with destroyed buildings.
By Luke Fuqua August 21, 2025
Protect your family in Northwestern Oklahoma’s tornado season. Discover why every home needs a storm shelter for safety, value, and peace of mind.