ENTREES: TRAEGER COWBOY CANDY RIBS

Trina Dunkin • May 29, 2025

Traeger Cowboy Candy Ribs

The Traeger kitchen has produced plenty of incredible recipes, but Nichole Dailey’s creation of these sticky, spicy, smoky-sweet Cowboy Candy Ribs truly stole the spotlight. The Traeger community couldn’t get enough—fans were clamoring for the recipe. The best part? The Cowboy Candy, or candied jalapeños, yields more than you'll need for the ribs, which is a win. They’re perfect on burgers, hot dogs, cheese boards, cocktails—pretty much anything you can dream up.

Prep Time

15 Min

Cook Time

6 Hr

Pellets

Hickory

Ingredients

Cowboy Candy

10 jalapeños

1 1/2 Cup light brown sugar

1 Cup apricot preserves

1/4 Cup apple cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Ribs

2 Rack St. Louis-style ribs

1/2 Cup yellow mustard

1/4 Cup Anything Rub

2 Tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/2 Cup cooked, chopped bacon

Steps

Step 1

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

225 ˚F / 107 ˚C

Step 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.

00:25

225 ˚F / 107 ˚C

Ingredients

10 jalapeños

Step 3

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

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cup light brown sugar

1 Cup apricot preserves

1/4 Cup apple cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Step 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.

Step 5

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

225 ˚F / 107 ˚C

Step 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.

Ingredients

2 Rack St. Louis-style ribs

1/2 Cup yellow mustard

1/4 Cup Traeger Anything Rub

2 Tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper

Step 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 .

225 ˚F / 107 ˚C

202 ˚F / 94 ˚C

Step 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.

Ingredients

1/2 Cup cooked, chopped bacon

Step 9

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

00:35

225 ˚F / 107 ˚C

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