Attention all flavor fanatics! Get ready to experience the ultimate explosion of smoky, sweet, and tangy deliciousness with my Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs with Tangy BBQ Sauce. This epic dish is about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise and leave your taste buds begging for more. Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today?
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs with Tangy BBQ Sauce
Prepare to be blown away by the incredible combination of flavors in this dish! The smoky, caramelized glaze made with maple syrup and bold bourbon creates an irresistible crust that seals in the juicy, tender meat. The tangy, zesty BBQ sauce takes this recipe to the next level, providing the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just the right amount of heat. This dish is sure to be the star of any backyard barbecue, family dinner, or “treat yo’self” meal. Get ready to experience a true flavor explosion that will leave your taste buds dancing with pure joy!
Ingredients
Grab your shopping list and get ready to round up the ultimate flavor squad! You’ll need a rack of meaty, succulent pork ribs, along with a few key ingredients to create the epic smoky maple bourbon glaze and tangy BBQ sauce. From the bold and intense bourbon to the rich, sweet maple syrup, every component in this recipe is carefully selected to deliver a mind-blowing taste experience.
- 1 rack (2-3 lbs) – Pork baby back ribs
- 1/2 cup – Maple syrup
- 1/4 cup – Bourbon
- 2 tsp – Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
Ingredient Substitutions
- Maple Syrup: Honey or agave (for a similar sweet, caramelized flavor)
- Bourbon: Swap in your favorite BBQ sauce for the tangy version in the recipe (to keep the smoky, sweet glaze)
How to Make Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs with Tangy BBQ Sauce
Get ready to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise with these deliciously saucy, sticky ribs! We’ll start by prepping the ribs and the glaze, then bake them to perfection before finishing with a brushing of tangy BBQ sauce.
Step 1: Prep the Ribs
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs by carefully peeling it off. This will allow the flavors to really penetrate the meat. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and season them all over with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Make the Smoky Maple Bourbon Glaze
In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, bourbon, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3: Bake the Ribs
Place the seasoned ribs in a large baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush the ribs all over with the smoky maple bourbon glaze, reserving any extra glaze. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1.5-2 hours, until the ribs are tender and easily pull apart.
Step 4: Finish with Tangy BBQ Sauce
Once the ribs are tender, remove the foil and brush them generously with your favorite tangy BBQ sauce. Return the ribs to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has caramelized and the edges are crispy.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Try Different Spice Blends: Experiment with adding a hint of heat by sprinkling on some chipotle powder or cayenne pepper. Or, for a more savory profile, try a blend of Italian herbs or Cajun seasoning.
- Use Alternative Rib Cuts: While baby back ribs are the traditional choice, you can also use St. Louis-style or flanken-style ribs for this recipe. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Adjust the Sweet/Heat Balance: Tweak the ratio of maple syrup to bourbon or the amount of BBQ sauce to suit your personal taste preferences.
- Make it a Combo Platter: Serve these ribs alongside my Bourbon Maple Glazed Chicken Wings with Tangy Dipping Sauce or Applewood Smoked BBQ Ribs with Maple Glaze for the ultimate smoky, sweet, and saucy feast.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Creamy coleslaw, roasted sweet potato wedges, or a fresh, zesty corn and tomato salad.
Storage: Leftover ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Reheat: For best results, reheat the ribs in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat them on the grill or in the air fryer.
Make-Ahead: The ribs can be partially baked, then finished with the BBQ sauce right before serving. Or, make the smoky maple bourbon glaze in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Nutrition Information
Indulge in the bold, crave-worthy flavors of these Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs with Tangy BBQ Sauce, guilt-free! This dish packs a protein-packed punch, with each serving delivering a satisfying dose of essential nutrients.
- Serving Size: 1/2 rack
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Protein: 42 g
- Carbs: 23 g
- Fat: 35 g
- Sodium: 975 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of rib?
Absolutely! This recipe works great with a variety of rib cuts, including St. Louis-style or flanken-style ribs. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the thickness and density of the ribs.
How can I make these ribs spicier?
To add a little extra heat, try sprinkling in some chipotle powder or cayenne pepper into the smoky maple bourbon glaze. You can also serve the ribs with a spicy-sweet chili crisp or habanero-based BBQ sauce on the side.
Can I make the ribs in advance?
Yes, you can definitely prepare these ribs ahead of time! The ribs can be partially baked, then finished with the BBQ sauce right before serving. Or, you can make the smoky maple bourbon glaze in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
What should I serve with these ribs?
These Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs pair beautifully with classic barbecue sides like creamy coleslaw, roasted sweet potato wedges, or a fresh, zesty corn and tomato salad.
How long will the leftovers keep?
Leftover ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. For best results, reheat the ribs in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes.
Try These Next
- Bourbon Maple Glazed Chicken Wings With Tangy Dipping Sauce
- Applewood Smoked Bbq Ribs With Maple Glaze
- Smoked Maple Bourbon Glazed Chicken Wings With Crispy Skin
Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs with Tangy BBQ Sauce
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 300 minutes
- Total Time: 320 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Smoke House
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoky Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness makes them a crowd favorite for any barbecue or family gathering.
Ingredients
2 racks of baby back ribs
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup bourbon
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
1.
2. 1. Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
3. 2. In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
4. 3. Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs, ensuring even coverage.
5. 4. Place the ribs in the smoker and cook for 3 hours.
6. 5. While the ribs are smoking, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, combine maple syrup, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
7. 6. After 3 hours, remove the ribs from the smoker and brush with the glaze.
8. 7. Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and return them to the smoker for another 2 hours.
9. 8. Unwrap the ribs and brush with more glaze. Smoke for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour until caramelized.
10. 9. Remove from the smoker, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
11.
Notes
– For extra flavor, marinate the ribs in the spice rub overnight.
– Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper based on your heat preference.
– Serve with coleslaw and cornbread for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rack of ribs
- Calories: 850 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: ribs, BBQ, smoked, bourbon, maple