Brown Sugar and Bourbon Ribs

Sink your teeth into these irresistible Brown Sugar and Bourbon Ribs, the ultimate combination of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors. Perfectly tender pork baby back ribs are coated in a bold spice rub featuring paprika, garlic, and a touch of cayenne before being slow-roasted to perfection. The real star, however, is the luscious bourbon glaze—a rich blend of dark brown sugar, bourbon, honey, and molasses that caramelizes beautifully under the grill or broiler. Finished with a sticky, smoky-sweet crust, these ribs are the ideal centerpiece for any barbecue, family dinner, or special gathering. Serve them warm with a side of extra glaze for dipping and watch them disappear in seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 racks Pork baby back ribs
• 1 cup Dark brown sugar
• 0.25 cup Bourbon
• 2 tablespoons Paprika
• 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 0.5 cup Ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Molasses
• 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).

Step 2

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs by slipping a knife under it and peeling it away. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper to create a spice rub.

Step 4

Rub the spice mixture generously all over the ribs, covering both sides evenly.

Step 5

Wrap each rack of ribs tightly in aluminum foil, sealing the edges to create a packet. Place the foil-wrapped ribs on a baking sheet.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the ribs are tender and the meat pulls away easily from the bone.

Step 7

While the ribs are baking, prepare the bourbon glaze. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine dark brown sugar, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, honey, ketchup, molasses, and liquid smoke (if using). Stir well until the mixture is smooth.

Step 8

Bring the glaze to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 9

Once the ribs are done baking, carefully remove them from the foil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

Step 10

Brush a generous layer of bourbon glaze over the ribs, making sure to coat both sides.

Step 11

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (or use the oven broiler). If using a grill, place the ribs directly on the grates. If using a broiler, put the ribs on an oven-safe rack under the broiler.

Step 12

Grill or broil the ribs for 5-10 minutes, basting with more glaze, until the glaze is sticky and slightly caramelized.

Step 13

Remove the ribs from the heat and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing into individual portions.

Step 14

Serve warm with extra bourbon glaze on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2060.8 grams (2060.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5599

Total Fat 338.00g	433%
Saturated Fat 123.60g	618%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 1316mg	439%
Sodium 3533mg	154%
Total Carbohydrate 348.30g	127%
Dietary Fiber 7.60g	27%
Total Sugars 317.60g
Protein 298.10g	596%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 683mg	53%
Iron 24mg	131%
Potassium 5299mg	113%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.1%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 24.8%