Brown Sugar and Bourbon Ribs

Succulent baby back pork ribs glazed with a sweet and savory sauce featuring brown sugar, bourbon, and apple flavors. These ribs are slow-roasted until tender and finished on the grill for the perfect caramelized finish.

6 servings
2 hr 45 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup golden brown sugar
  • ½ cup apple butter
  • ¼ cup bourbon whiskey
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon golden brown sugar
  • teaspoons dry mustard
  • teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 racks baby back pork ribs
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 stick cinnamon stick
  • 6 rounds fresh ginger
  • cups apple cider

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk all ingredients in medium bowl to blend.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Mix first 7 ingredients in small bowl. Using small sharp knife, loosen membrane from underside of each rib rack and pull off (or score membrane). Rub 1 tablespoon seasoning mix into each side of each rib rack. Place ribs in large roasting pan. Cover and chill at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Lift ribs from pan. Scatter onion, cinnamon stick, and ginger in pan. Pour in cider. Return ribs, meat side down, to pan; cover pan with foil. Roast ribs until meat is tender and begins to pull away from bones, about 2 hours. Uncover; cool at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

    120 min

  4. 4.

    Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill ribs until heated through and slightly charred, about 5 minutes per side. Brush generously on all sides with basting sauce. Grill until sauce becomes sticky glaze, about 3 minutes longer per side. Transfer rib racks to cutting board. Cut racks between bones into individual ribs. Arrange on platter and serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

    20 min