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Tender Honey Bourbon Glazed BBQ Ribs Recipe Easy Sticky Sweet Finish

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These tender honey bourbon glazed BBQ ribs feature a sticky sweet finish with a warm depth from bourbon and natural sweetness from honey. Slow-cooked to fall-off-the-bone perfection, they are perfect for casual gatherings and impressing friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks of baby back ribs (about 3–4 pounds / 1.4–1.8 kg)
  • ½ cup honey (120 ml)
  • ¼ cup bourbon (60 ml)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed (50 grams)
  • ½ cup ketchup (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (2 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (2 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (2 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Prep the ribs (15 minutes): Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a butter knife under it and peeling it off. Pat ribs dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder on both sides.
  2. Make the glaze (10 minutes): In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and chili flakes if using. Stir occasionally until sugar dissolves and glaze thickens slightly, about 8-10 minutes. It should be syrupy but pourable.
  3. Slow cook the ribs (2 to 2.5 hours): Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Place ribs on a large baking sheet lined with foil, cover tightly with another sheet of foil. Bake low and slow until meat is tender and pulls back from bones, and a toothpick slides in easily.
  4. Apply glaze and broil (10 minutes): Remove ribs from oven and discard top foil. Brush ribs generously with honey bourbon glaze. Switch oven to broil on high. Place ribs under broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely until glaze bubbles and caramelizes to a sticky sweet finish.
  5. Rest and serve (5 minutes): Let ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing between the bones to keep juices locked in.

Notes

Remove the silver skin membrane for tender ribs. Slow cook low and slow to melt fat and soften connective tissue. Brush multiple thin layers of glaze rather than one thick coat. Watch closely during broiling to avoid burning. Let ribs rest after cooking to keep juices locked in. Glaze can be made a day ahead and warmed before use. For non-alcoholic version, substitute bourbon with apple juice and vanilla extract.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ ribs, honey bourbon glaze, sticky ribs, slow cooked ribs, sweet BBQ ribs, bourbon ribs, easy BBQ recipe

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/tender-honey-bourbon-glazed-bbq-ribs-recipe-easy-sticky-sweet-finish/