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4 from 3 votes
Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce on a sheet tray with herbs, sauce and cut with a knife.
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Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Prep Time
1 d
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
1 d 3 hrs
 

Grab extra napkins! These oven roasted baby back ribs are tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness slathered in tangy bourbon BBQ sauce.

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baby back ribs
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 617 kcal
Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For...
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs pork loin baby back ribs (2 full racks)
Dry Rub
  • 2 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp dry mustard
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp chipotle chili powder
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 6- ounce can tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
  1. Remove membrane from the racks. Lay each rack on a large piece of heavy duty foil (large enough to completely enclose the rack.)
Dry Rub
  1. Combine all ingredients for the dry rub. Sprinkle the dry rub over each rack on both sides, massaging it in.
  2. Turn racks meat side up and wrap tightly. Place a on large baking sheet and refrigerate at least six hours or overnight.
Roast the Ribs
  1. Remove the racks from the refrigerator about 30 mins prior to roasting. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. Place the ribs, still wrapped in foil and on the tray, in the oven and roast for 2 hours.
Bourbon BBQ Sauce
  1. While the ribs are roasting, make the BBQ sauce. Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a medium saucepan, whisking well. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer 10 mins, then turn off the heat.
Finish the Ribs
  1. When the ribs have roasted for 2 hours, remove them from the oven. Increase the heat to 350 degrees.
  2. Open the foil and carefully drain the drippings into the BBQ sauce. Bring the BBQ sauce back to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
  3. Keep the ribs on the foil and generously brush them with BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 50 - 60 mins, or until they are very tender, brushing them with BBQ sauce two more times.
  4. Serve ribs with extra BBQ sauce on the side (and plenty of wet naps!).
Recipe Notes
  • Be sure to remove the membrane before adding the dry rub to the ribs. If you don't, it will be tough and chewy and won't allow the dry rub to permeate the ribs.
  • Heavy duty foil is best for wrapping the ribs. It is tougher and less likely to tear.
  • The dry rub gives these ribs an extra spicy kick. You can tweak it to your taste by dialing the spices up or down.
  • Don't skip adding the juices into into the BBQ sauce. It gives the sauce a deeper, layered, meaty flavor.
  • Yep these ribs cook low and slow and definitely take time. Don't be in a rush! They're worth the time and most of it is hand's off.
Nutrition Facts
Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 617 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 99mg33%
Sodium 2855mg124%
Potassium 1003mg29%
Carbohydrates 61g20%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 51g57%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 2095IU42%
Vitamin C 9mg11%
Calcium 113mg11%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.