Smoky Southern Rib Plate: A Homestyle Recipe That Wows

Cowboy-style cooking brings smoky barbecue mac and cheese to life with incredible depth and soul.

Generations of pit masters have perfected this hearty dish in dusty kitchens across texas ranches.

Regional spices and slow-simmered techniques create complex flavor profiles that dance across your palate.

Comfort food meets culinary craft in this robust recipe that celebrates traditional southern cooking.

Summer gatherings and weekend cookouts shine when mac and cheese becomes the star attraction.

Rich, creamy textures blend with subtle smokiness, promising a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

Unleash your inner pit master and dive into this irresistible comfort classic.

Reasons to Enjoy Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

  • Embrace Smoky Barbecue Bliss: A hearty, flavor-packed meal that celebrates traditional Southern comfort cooking.
  • Master Hands-On Grilling Adventure: Perfect for cooking enthusiasts who love creating restaurant-quality dishes with personal touches and techniques.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Party Showstopper: Ideal for gatherings where guests appreciate a generous, mouthwatering spread that combines multiple delicious components.
  • Customize Your Culinary Canvas: Flexible recipe allowing personal seasonings, homemade variations, and creative ingredient tweaks to suit individual tastes.

Ingredients List for Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

Main Protein:
  • Ribs: Tender meat cut that will be the star of the plate with a smoky grilled flavor.
Seasonings and Spices:
  • Dry Rub or Seasoning Mix: Adds depth and enhances the natural flavor of the ribs.
Side Dishes:
  • Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy comfort food that complements the smoky ribs.
  • Smoked Cowboy Beans: Hearty side dish with a rich, smoky flavor profile.
Egg Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Main component for creating classic deviled eggs with a creamy filling.
  • Mayonnaise, Mustard: Provide creamy and tangy elements to the egg yolk mixture.
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the flavor of the deviled eggs.
Cooking Components:
  • Grill or Smoker: Essential for cooking the ribs and imparting a smoky flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

Step 1: Fire Up The Grill

Crank your grill to a low and steady 250F, preparing for a flavor-packed cooking adventure. This gentle heat will transform your ribs into mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone deliciousness.

Step 2: Massage Ribs with Flavor

Generously coat your ribs with a robust dry rub. Sprinkle and pat the seasoning blend all over, ensuring every inch gets a flavor boost. The spices will create a delectable crust during cooking.

Step 3: Slow Cook The Ribs

Place ribs bone-side down on the grill, letting them smoke and tenderize slowly. Cook for 4-5 hours, watching for that beautiful bark and deep smoky essence. For hardcore flavor enthusiasts, consider using a smoker for extra depth.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Mac and Cheese

Prepare macaroni and cheese using your favorite method. Whether you’re following package instructions or crafting a homemade version, aim for that irresistible creamy texture and golden top.

Step 5: Warm Smoky Cowboy Beans

Heat the smoked cowboy beans on the stove or grill until they’re piping hot. These beans will add a rustic, hearty element to your plate.

Step 6: Create Dreamy Deviled Eggs

  • Hard boil eggs
  • Carefully peel and slice in half
  • Gently remove yolks
  • Mix yolks with
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Optional extras like paprika or chives
  • Spoon or pipe the creamy mixture back into egg white halves

Step 7: Assemble Your Feast

Arrange the tender, smoky ribs on a large platter. Surround them with creamy mac and cheese, steaming cowboy beans, and those gorgeous deviled eggs. Get ready to impress everyone at the table!

Helpful Advice for Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

  • Test rib doneness by gently twisting a bone; if it moves easily, the meat is perfectly cooked.
  • Wrap ribs in foil during last hour of cooking to keep them moist and prevent drying out.
  • Enhance mac and cheese by adding extra sharp cheddar or smoked gouda for deeper flavor.
  • Experiment with different dry rub combinations like paprika, brown sugar, and garlic powder for unique taste profiles.
  • Create creamy deviled eggs by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a healthier twist.

Flavorful Variations of Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

  • Spicy Southwest Rib Plate: Replace traditional seasoning with a bold chili and cumin rub, add jalapeño mac and cheese, swap cowboy beans with spicy black bean mix, garnish deviled eggs with chipotle powder.
  • BBQ Ranch Rib Feast: Use ranch-inspired dry rub on ribs, mix ranch seasoning into mac and cheese, prepare ranch-style cowboy beans, top deviled eggs with crispy bacon bits.
  • Mediterranean-Style Rib Plate: Season ribs with za'atar and oregano, create feta mac and cheese, prepare Greek-inspired white bean side, add herb-infused deviled eggs with fresh dill.

Serving Suggestions for Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

  • Sip Smoky Bourbon Cocktail: Complement the rich, smoky flavors of the ribs with a classic bourbon cocktail that echoes the grilled meat's depth and complexity.
  • Pair with Crisp Coleslaw: Balance the heavy, meaty dish with a tangy, refreshing coleslaw that cuts through the richness and provides a light, crunchy contrast.
  • Match with Bold Red Wine: Choose a full-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Syrah that can stand up to the intense smoky flavors of the ribs and hearty sides.
  • Cool Down with Craft Beer: Select a robust amber ale or smoky porter that enhances the grilled meat's flavor profile and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the meal.

Storage Tips for Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

  • Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Separate ribs, mac and cheese, beans, and eggs into different containers to maintain freshness and prevent flavor mixing.
  • Wrap ribs tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place mac and cheese, beans, and eggs in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months, labeling with date and contents.
  • Warm in oven at 250F wrapped in foil to prevent drying. Add a splash of broth or water to maintain moisture. Heat for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
  • Microwave mac and cheese for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. Warm beans in saucepan over medium heat.

FAQs for Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs

  • What makes the perfect dry rub for ribs?

Choose a blend with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This combination creates a balanced flavor profile with sweet, spicy, and savory notes that enhance the meat’s natural taste.

  • How do I know when my ribs are perfectly cooked?

Check for tenderness by gently pulling the meat – it should start separating from the bone. Another test is the “bend test”: when lifted with tongs, the ribs should bend and crack slightly, indicating they’re done.

  • Can I prepare the components ahead of time?

Yes, you can make deviled eggs and beans a day in advance. Ribs can be partially cooked and finished later, which helps develop deeper flavors and makes meal preparation more convenient.

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Rib Plate with Mac, Smoked Cowboy Beans, and Deviled Eggs Recipe


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4.5 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes – 5 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty Southern barbecue magic meets comfort on this rib plate, showcasing smoky cowboy beans, creamy mac, and zesty deviled eggs. Rich flavors and rustic charm deliver a mouthwatering feast you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 rack of ribs

Sides:

  • 4 cups macaroni and cheese (prepared)
  • 3 cups smoked cowboy beans

Eggs:

  • 68 large eggs for deviled eggs

Instructions

  1. Ignite the grill to a precise 250°F, creating the perfect low and slow cooking environment for succulent ribs.
  2. Massage the rack with a robust dry rub, ensuring every crevice is coated with a flavorful seasoning blend.
  3. Position the ribs bone-side down on the grill grates, allowing them to slowly transform over 4-5 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender and absorbs a deep smoky essence.
  4. During the ribs’ cooking process, craft the macaroni and cheese either following package instructions or preparing a homemade version with creamy, rich textures.
  5. Simmer the smoked cowboy beans in a skillet or on the grill’s periphery, gently warming them to release their robust, smoky flavors.
  6. Prepare deviled eggs by boiling eggs until perfectly cooked, then carefully peeling and halving them. Extract the golden yolks and blend with creamy mayonnaise, tangy mustard, and a medley of seasonings to create a luxurious filling.
  7. Artfully arrange the fall-apart tender ribs on a large platter, accompanied by the creamy mac and cheese, aromatic smoked beans, and elegantly garnished deviled eggs for a complete, mouthwatering meal.

Notes

  • Maintain consistent grill temperature around 250F to ensure even, slow cooking of ribs for maximum tenderness.
  • Select a robust dry rub with smoky or peppery notes to complement the meat’s natural flavors and enhance overall taste profile.
  • Wrap ribs in aluminum foil during last hour of cooking to lock in moisture and prevent potential drying out.
  • Experiment with different bean varieties like pinto or black beans to create unique flavor variations for cowboy beans.
  • Adjust deviled egg filling with Greek yogurt for lighter texture or add hot sauce for extra kick.
  • Use indirect heat method when grilling to prevent burning and achieve perfect smoky char on ribs.
  • Prepare components ahead of time to reduce day-of cooking stress and ensure everything is ready simultaneously.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4-5 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 800 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 50 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 45 g
  • Cholesterol: 180 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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