Joe’s Whiskey Grilled Baby Back Ribs

A serving of juicy, caramelized baby back ribs coated in a rich, glossy whiskey-infused barbecue sauce. The ribs are perfectly grilled with charred edges, glistening with the sauce’s sweetness and savory flavor. The dish is served on a white plate, with some sauce dripping down the sides for a mouthwatering, hearty presentation.

Summertime means juicy, smoky, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and these whiskey-glazed baby back ribs are the ultimate BBQ centerpiece. Slow-baked until tender, then caramelized on the grill, these ribs are packed with bold, smoky, and slightly sweet flavors from whiskey, molasses, brown sugar, and chili pepper. While this recipe takes some time, the hands-on cooking is minimal—and the end result is well worth the wait. Fire up the grill, grab some napkins, and get ready for the best ribs of the season!

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Serving Size: 4
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Ingredients

  • 2-2 lb slabs baby back pork ribs
  • Coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 tbl ground red chili pepper
  • 2 1/4 tbl vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 2 tbl Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 1/4 tsp liquid smoke flavoring
  • 2 tsp whiskey
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 tbl honey
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbl dark molasses
  • 1/2 tbl ground red chili pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300° F (150° C)
  2. Cut each full rack of ribs in half, so that you have 4 half racks
  3. Sprinkle salt and pepper (more pepper than salt), and 1 tablespoon chili pepper over meat. Wrap each half rack in aluminum foil
  4. Bake for 2 1/2 hours
  5. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add onions and stir for 5 minutes. Stir in water, tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce
  6. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, liquid smoke, whiskey, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dark molasses, and 1/2 tablespoon ground chili pepper
  7. When the mixture begins to boil, reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until sauce thickens, may take an hour or more. Remove from heat and set aside
  8. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat
  9. Remove the ribs from the oven and let stand 10 minutes
  10. Remove the ribs from the foil, and place on the grill
  11. Grill the ribs for 3 to 4 minutes on each side
  12. Brush sauce on the ribs while they’re grilling, just before you serve them (adding it too early will burn it)

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