Red Robin Steakhouse Rib Plate: Taste Review, Calories & Copycat Recipe (2026 Guide)
Ribs at a burger joint? Yes, and they are actually good. Red Robin's Steakhouse Rib Plate is one of the brand's boldest entrée moves in years. It takes the smoky, steakhouse flavor that made their A.1. Steakhouse burger a hit and puts it on a half rack of fall-off-the-bone pork ribs. In this guide, I will walk you through what the dish really tastes like, how many calories it packs, what it costs, and whether it is worth your money. I will also share a step-by-step copycat recipe so you can make it at home.
What Is the Red Robin Steakhouse Rib Plate?
The Steakhouse Rib Plate is Red Robin's take on classic barbecue ribs, dressed up with steakhouse flavor. It is a half rack of St. Louis-style pork ribs, slow cooked until the meat pulls easily off the bone. The rack is brushed with a bold, tangy glaze that blends smoky barbecue notes with a peppery, steakhouse-style finish. It comes to the table hot, sticky, and ready to eat with your hands.
This plate sits inside Red Robin's entrée lineup, right alongside their Whiskey River BBQ Ribs and other classic mains. If you want to see how it compares to the rest of the entrées menu, that is a good place to start browsing.
*Prices and calorie counts are estimates based on standard Red Robin locations as of September 2026. Your local restaurant may charge slightly more or less.
Taste Review: How Does It Actually Taste?
I have eaten a lot of casual dining ribs, and Red Robin's version surprised me. The meat is tender without falling apart into mush, which means you still get that satisfying tug off the bone. The glaze is the real star. It is sweet up front, then turns smoky and slightly peppery on the finish, similar to the flavor profile in their A.1. Steakhouse burger. It does not taste like a shortcut sauce poured from a bottle. There is real depth to it.
Flavor
Smoky, slightly sweet, and peppery on the back end. Tastes closer to a steakhouse rib than typical casual dining barbecue.
Texture
Tender and juicy with a light bark on the outside. Meat pulls cleanly off the bone without turning stringy.
Portion Size
A true half rack. Filling on its own, especially once you add the side and coleslaw.
Value
For a full plate with two sides, the price feels fair compared to a dedicated steakhouse chain.
What Comes With the Plate: Sides and Extras
The Steakhouse Rib Plate is not just meat on a plate. It comes with creamy coleslaw and your choice of one bottomless side, which is where Red Robin really shines. You can pick from Steak Fries, Garlic Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Yukon Chips, or Steamed Broccoli if you want something lighter.
Want to build it out further? A few easy extras that pair well with this plate:
- Extra glaze on the side for dipping fries or dunking the last bites of rib meat.
- A starter of onion rings or mozzarella sticks from the appetizer menu if you are sharing the table.
- Buffalo-style chicken wings from the wings menu for a spicier contrast to the sweet glaze.
- A side salad from the salad menu if you want to cut some of the richness.
Not in the mood for ribs? Red Robin's gourmet burgers and tavern burgers use a similar steakhouse flavor profile if you would rather stick with a classic patty.
Calories and Nutrition Breakdown
This is a hearty entrée, so it is not a light meal. Here is roughly what you are looking at when the plate is served with Steak Fries, which is the most common pairing.
| Item | Calories | Sodium | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Rack Ribs + Glaze | ~560 kcal | ~1,400 mg | ~38 g |
| Coleslaw | ~150 kcal | ~230 mg | ~1 g |
| Steak Fries (side portion) | ~200 kcal | ~380 mg | ~3 g |
| Estimated Total | ~910 kcal | ~2,010 mg | ~42 g |
Swap the fries for Steamed Broccoli and you can cut roughly 150 calories from the plate. If you are watching sodium, ask for the glaze on the side instead of fully coated, since most of the sodium in this dish comes from the sauce.
Is the Steakhouse Rib Plate Worth Ordering?
Short answer: yes, if you like barbecue with a bit of steakhouse flair and do not mind getting your hands a little messy.
Why It Works
- Real half rack portion, not a small sample size
- Glaze has genuine depth, not just sugar and vinegar
- Comes with two sides for one price
- Good option for guests who do not want another burger
Things to Know
- Higher in sodium than most burgers on the menu
- Messy to eat, so it is not the best pick for a quick lunch
- Not a light meal if you order fries as your side
Best Pairings and Drink Ideas
Ribs and a cold drink go together naturally. If you are dining with adults, a hoppy beer from the adult beverages menu cuts through the sweetness of the glaze nicely. For something non-alcoholic, check the drinks menu for a fizzy soda option, or go all in with a shake from the milkshakes menu if you have room for dessert first. Speaking of dessert, this plate is filling enough to share, so save a little room and split something off the desserts menu at the end.
If you are visiting during the afternoon lull, it is worth checking the happy hour menu too, since some locations run discounted apps and drinks that pair well with a rib plate.
Copycat Red Robin Steakhouse Ribs Recipe
You do not have to wait for a restaurant trip to enjoy this. Here is a home version that gets close to the smoky, peppery-sweet glaze Red Robin uses, made in the oven so you do not need a smoker.
Copycat Steakhouse Rib Plate
Ingredients
- 1 half rack St. Louis-style pork ribs (about 1.5 to 2 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper (for the steakhouse finish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the ribs. Pat the rack dry with paper towels. Peel off the thin membrane on the back of the ribs so the seasoning can soak in and the meat stays tender.
- Make the dry rub. Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Rub it all over both sides of the rack.
- Let it rest. Wrap the ribs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Wrap and bake. Place the ribs on a large sheet of foil, meat side up. Wrap tightly and set on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 to 2.5 hours, until the meat is tender and starts to pull back from the bone.
- Make the glaze. While the ribs bake, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly.
- Broil for that steakhouse finish. Unwrap the ribs and brush generously with the glaze. Broil on high for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely, until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes at the edges. Add the cracked black pepper right after broiling for that peppery steakhouse bite.
- Rest and serve. Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes before slicing between the bones. Serve with coleslaw and steak fries or a side salad, just like the restaurant plate.
Tip: If you want a smokier flavor without a smoker, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the glaze and use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika in the rub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Red Robin Steakhouse Rib Plate cost?
It typically runs around $16.99, though pricing can vary by location and state. Always check with your local restaurant for exact pricing before you order.
How many calories are in the Steakhouse Rib Plate?
With Steak Fries and coleslaw, the full plate comes to roughly 910 calories. Swapping fries for steamed broccoli can lower that by about 150 calories.
What sides come with the rib plate?
The plate includes coleslaw plus your choice of one bottomless side, such as Steak Fries, Garlic Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Yukon Chips, or Steamed Broccoli.
Is the rib plate spicy?
No, it is not spicy. The glaze is smoky and slightly sweet with a peppery finish, not a hot or heat-forward sauce.
Can I order the rib plate for a family meal?
Yes. It works well as a shareable entrée, and pairing it with items from the family menu or kids menu makes it easy to feed the whole table.
Is there a lighter alternative to the rib plate?
If you want something lighter, try items from the wraps and chicken sandwiches menu or the veggie patties menu for a plant-based option.
View More Menus
Still deciding what to order? Browse a few more sections of the Red Robin menu below.
This is an independent guide and is not officially affiliated with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Menu items, prices, and calorie counts may vary by location and are subject to change.