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Best Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Ribs (Slow Cooker)

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Fall-off-the-bone tender ribs with a sticky-sweet bourbon glaze, made effortlessly in a slow cooker. This crowd-pleasing recipe delivers smoky, sweet, and slightly boozy flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 4–5 pounds total)
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
  • 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Remove the membrane from the back of each rib rack. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Mix well.
  3. Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the dry rub. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together bourbon, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke (if using).
  5. Pour the bourbon mixture into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Place the seasoned ribs in the slow cooker, standing them upright along the walls or stacking in a spiral.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the meat is pulling away from the bones and a fork slides in easily.
  7. About 20 minutes before serving, preheat the broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top (optional).
  8. Carefully transfer the ribs to the prepared baking sheet. Brush generously with BBQ sauce on both sides.
  9. Broil for 3-5 minutes per side, watching closely, until the sauce is sticky and caramelized with slightly charred edges.
  10. Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes. Cut between the bones to separate into individual ribs. Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

Notes

Reserve some cooking liquid from the slow cooker, skim off fat, and simmer to make an incredible dipping sauce. For best results, cook on LOW and don’t skip the membrane removal or broiler step.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ ribs, slow cooker ribs, brown sugar bourbon ribs, fall off the bone ribs, easy rib recipe

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/best-brown-sugar-bourbon-bbq-ribs-slow-cooker/