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Flavorful Honey Bourbon Glazed Grilled Ribs Recipe Easy Sticky Sweet Sauce

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Tender pork ribs glazed with a sticky, sweet honey bourbon sauce, grilled to perfection with a smoky char and subtle boozy warmth. Perfect for casual gatherings or comforting meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 to 3 pounds baby back ribs or St. Louis style ribs, trimmed of excess fat and membrane removed
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) pure honey
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) good-quality bourbon
  • ¼ cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon (1 g) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt, or to taste
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse the ribs and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the silver skin membrane on the back by sliding a butter knife under it and peeling it off. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Let rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
  2. Preheat grill for indirect heat and maintain a steady temperature around 275°F (135°C). For charcoal, bank coals to one side; for gas, turn on only half the burners.
  3. Wrap ribs tightly in aluminum foil to trap steam and tenderize the meat. Place foil-wrapped ribs on the cooler side of the grill and close the lid. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, checking occasionally to maintain temperature.
  4. While ribs cook, combine honey, bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Remove ribs from foil and place meat-side up on grill over direct heat. Using a basting brush, slather ribs generously with honey bourbon glaze. Grill for about 10 minutes, brushing with more glaze every 3 minutes. Watch for flare-ups and move ribs as needed to avoid burning.
  6. Once glaze is sticky and caramelized, transfer ribs to a platter. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing between the bones. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over ribs before serving.

Notes

Remove the membrane from ribs for tenderness and better flavor penetration. Wrap ribs in foil during initial cooking to keep moist. Apply glaze in thin layers repeatedly to build a sticky crust without burning. If glaze darkens too fast, reduce heat or move ribs to indirect heat. Prepare glaze ahead and keep warm for smooth basting. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Bourbon can be replaced with apple juice or whiskey for different flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey bourbon ribs, grilled ribs, sticky sweet sauce, BBQ ribs, easy rib recipe, summer grilling, bourbon glaze

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/flavorful-honey-bourbon-glazed-grilled-ribs-recipe-easy-sticky-sweet-sauce/