Smoky BBQ Ribs – Dad’s Favorite
Fall-off-the-bone smoky BBQ ribs with homemade bourbon glaze. Low and slow on the grill, finished with a sticky-sweet glaze. Get the recipe.
These smoky BBQ ribs are the kind of thing Dad talks about for weeks. Low and slow on the grill until meat pulls clean from the bone, finished with a bourbon-spiked glaze that goes glassy and sticky.
Why You’ll Love These Smoky BBQ Ribs
- Fall-off-the-bone tender – 3 hours of low heat
- Homemade bourbon glaze – 5 pantry ingredients, 10 minutes
- Mostly hands-off – 2.5 hours of side-prep time
Ingredients
- 1 rack St. Louis spare ribs (3-4 lbs)
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- tsp cayenne
- tsp cumin
- 1 cup ketchup
- cup bourbon
- cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
How to Make Smoky BBQ Ribs
Step 1 – Prep the ribs (15 minutes)
Remove membrane from bone side. Pat dry, coat with mustard, apply dry rub. Rest at room temperature.
Step 2 – Set up indirect heat (10 minutes)
Configure grill for 275-300F indirect heat. Add wood chips if available.
Step 3 – Low and slow (2.5-3 hours)
Cook bone-side down over indirect heat. Spritz with apple juice every 45 minutes.
Step 4 – Make the bourbon glaze (10 minutes)
Simmer ketchup, bourbon, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, and paprika for 10 minutes.
Step 5 – Glaze and finish (15 minutes)
Brush glaze during last 15 minutes. Brief direct heat to caramelize. Rest 10 minutes.
Pro Tips
Don’t skip the mustard. It’s a binder for the rub.
Keep the lid closed. Every opening loses 25-50F.
Variations
Baby back ribs: Reduce cook time to 2-2.5 hours.
Oven method: Wrap in foil, bake at 275F for 2.5 hours. Broil 5 min to finish.
Storage
Refrigerator: 4-5 days. Freezer: 3 months unglazed.
What to Serve
Our grilled corn with herb butter is the natural partner. Our smoked pulled pork sliders recipe has a great coleslaw technique.
Nutrition
Per serving: approximately 580 calories, 38g protein, 22g carbohydrates, 36g fat.
FAQ
How do I know when ribs are done?
Meat pulls back from bones by inch, toothpick slides in easily, rack bends when lifted.
Can I use different alcohol?
Whiskey, rum, or Dr Pepper all work.
If you make these smoky BBQ ribs, tell us your glaze variation. Save this for Father’s Day weekend.