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Honey Bourbon Glazed Grilled Ribs

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Tender pork baby back ribs grilled low and slow with a sticky honey bourbon glaze that balances sweet, smoky, and boozy flavors perfectly. An easy and crowd-pleasing recipe ideal for Memorial Day BBQs and summer cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks of pork baby back ribs (about 2.5 to 3 pounds total)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup honey (raw or wildflower honey preferred)
  • ¼ cup bourbon (mid-shelf like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of each rack of ribs. Pat ribs dry with paper towels.
  2. Mix salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Rub evenly over both sides of the ribs.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, bourbon, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Stir regularly and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Prepare the grill for indirect heat: for charcoal grills, push hot coals to one side; for gas grills, turn on burners on one side only. Aim for a grill temperature around 275°F (135°C).
  5. Place ribs on the cool side of the grill bone-side down. Close lid and cook for 1 hour, maintaining consistent temperature.
  6. After 1 hour, wrap each rack tightly in aluminum foil to seal in moisture and continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes.
  7. Carefully remove foil, brush ribs generously with the honey bourbon glaze.
  8. Place ribs back on the hot side of the grill to caramelize the glaze for about 5-7 minutes per side, watching closely to prevent burning. Brush on more glaze as needed for a sticky finish.
  9. Remove ribs from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones.
  10. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for color and freshness before serving.

Notes

Remove the silver skin membrane for tender ribs. Use indirect heat and foil wrapping to keep ribs moist and tender. Apply glaze near the end to avoid burning honey. Keep a spray bottle of water handy to control flare-ups. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of about 190°F (88°C). For gluten-free, substitute tamari for soy sauce. Slow cooker and oven broiler methods can be used if no grill is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey bourbon glazed ribs, grilled ribs, Memorial Day BBQ, pork ribs, honey bourbon glaze, summer cookout, easy ribs recipe

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/honey-bourbon-glazed-grilled-ribs-recipe-easy-perfect-memorial-day-bbq/