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Flavorful Grilled BBQ Baby Back Ribs Recipe with Easy Bourbon Brown Sugar Glaze

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This grilled BBQ baby back ribs recipe features a bourbon brown sugar glaze that creates tender, smoky, and sweet ribs perfect for gatherings and casual cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 2 to 2.5 pounds / 900g to 1.1kg each)
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar (about 110g)
  • ¼ cup bourbon (60ml)
  • ½ cup ketchup (120ml)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (5g)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (5g)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (5g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (2g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of each rack of ribs using a knife and paper towel for grip. (10 minutes)
  2. Rub ribs evenly with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Work seasoning into meat on both sides. (5 minutes)
  3. Preheat grill for indirect heat at medium-low, around 275°F (135°C). For charcoal, bank coals to one side; for gas, turn on one burner only. Close lid and heat. (10 minutes)
  4. Place ribs bone-side down on the cooler side of the grill. Close lid and cook slowly for about 1 hour, maintaining temperature around 275°F (135°C). (60 minutes)
  5. While ribs cook, whisk together brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and remaining spices in a bowl until smooth. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  6. After 1 hour, brush ribs generously with bourbon brown sugar glaze. Close lid and grill for another 15-20 minutes, brushing glaze every 5 minutes until caramelized and sticky. Watch carefully to prevent burning. (20 minutes)
  7. Remove ribs from grill and loosely tent with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes to redistribute juices. (10 minutes)
  8. Slice between ribs and serve warm with extra glaze on the side if desired. (5 minutes)

Notes

Keep a spray bottle with water handy to control flare-ups during glaze application. Remove silver skin for tender ribs. Maintain grill temperature around 275°F (135°C) for best results. Apply glaze gradually near the end to prevent burning. Rest ribs before slicing to keep them juicy. If no grill is available, bake ribs covered at 300°F (150°C) for about 2 hours, then glaze and broil to caramelize.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled ribs, BBQ ribs, baby back ribs, bourbon glaze, brown sugar glaze, easy ribs, backyard BBQ, smoky ribs, sweet ribs

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/flavorful-grilled-bbq-baby-back-ribs-recipe-with-easy-bourbon-brown-sugar-glaze/