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Savory Honey Bourbon BBQ Baby Back Ribs Recipe Perfect for Summer BBQs

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These savory honey bourbon BBQ baby back ribs feature a sweet, smoky glaze with a subtle warmth from bourbon, perfect for summer cookouts. Served with charred corn, they make a crowd-pleasing, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 3–4 pounds / 1.4–1.8 kg), trimmed
  • ½ cup honey (170g), preferably raw or local
  • ¼ cup bourbon (60 ml), good-quality like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (240 ml), store-bought or homemade
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar (50g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs and pat dry with paper towels. (10 minutes)
  2. Mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub evenly over both sides of the ribs. (5 minutes)
  3. Preheat grill to medium heat (about 275°F/135°C) for indirect cooking or oven to 300°F (150°C). (10 minutes)
  4. Place ribs bone-side down on grill away from direct flame or on a baking sheet in the oven. Cover with foil or close grill lid. Cook low and slow for 2 to 2½ hours until tender but not falling apart. (120-150 minutes)
  5. While ribs cook, whisk honey, bourbon, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. (10 minutes)
  6. Brush corn with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Grill for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally until kernels are charred and smoky. Brush with melted butter after grilling. (10 minutes)
  7. Remove ribs from grill or oven. Increase grill heat or preheat broiler. Brush ribs generously with honey bourbon glaze and place back on grill or under broiler for 5-7 minutes to caramelize. Repeat glazing and caramelizing once more. (10-15 minutes)
  8. Let ribs rest for 5 minutes before slicing between bones. Serve hot with charred corn and garnish with cilantro or parsley if desired. (5 minutes)

Notes

Remove the membrane from ribs for better glaze absorption and tenderness. Cook ribs low and slow at 275-300°F to avoid toughness. Apply glaze only in the last 15 minutes to prevent burning. Char corn for a smoky contrast. For fall-off-the-bone ribs, wrap ribs tightly in foil after 2 hours and steam for 30 minutes before glazing. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and reheat gently at 300°F.

Nutrition

Keywords: baby back ribs, BBQ ribs, honey bourbon glaze, summer BBQ, grilled ribs, smoky ribs, charred corn, easy ribs recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/savory-honey-bourbon-bbq-baby-back-ribs-recipe-perfect-for-summer-bbqs/