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Tender Grilled Honey Bourbon BBQ Ribs Recipe Perfect for Crispy Charred Edges

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These tender grilled ribs are glazed with a sweet honey bourbon sauce and finished with crispy charred edges, delivering a perfect balance of smoky and sweet flavors ideal for summer BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks of baby back pork ribs (about 3–4 pounds total), trimmed of excess fat
  • 1/4 cup honey (preferably raw or local)
  • 1/2 cup bourbon (mid-range brand like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace)
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: splash of hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Trim and prep the ribs by removing the thin membrane from the back for tenderness (about 10 minutes).
  2. In a bowl, whisk together honey, bourbon, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Reserve a few tablespoons for glazing later.
  3. Place ribs in a large baking sheet or pan, coat thoroughly with marinade, and cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Marinate at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  4. Preheat grill for indirect heat at about 275°F (135°C).
  5. Wrap each rack tightly in foil and place on the cool side of the grill. Cook for 1.5 hours until meat is tender and pulling back from the bone.
  6. Unwrap ribs carefully, brush generously with reserved marinade, and move to direct heat. Grill for 10-15 minutes, turning and glazing every 5 minutes until edges are crispy and caramelized. Watch closely to avoid flare-ups.
  7. Let ribs rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing between bones and serving.

Notes

Remove the membrane for tenderness. Marinate overnight for best flavor. Use indirect heat for slow cooking and finish over direct heat for crispy edges. Watch for flare-ups during glazing. Let ribs rest before slicing. Can substitute brown sugar with almond or coconut sugar for lower carbs. Bourbon can be replaced with smoky whiskey or dark rum. For alcohol-free, use apple juice and vanilla extract.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ ribs, honey bourbon ribs, grilled ribs, summer BBQ, smoky ribs, tender ribs, honey glaze, bourbon marinade

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