Bourbon BBQ Ribs
Ingredients
- 4-pounds side or back ribs
For the Dry Rub:
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. dry mustard
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tbsp. oregano
- 3 tbsp. regular or smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
For the Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium sized red onion, roughly chopped
- 1 cup plain tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup bourbon whiskey
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tbsp. hot sauce
- 2 tbsp. regular or smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp. oregano
- 1 tbsp. fresh ginger root, grated
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
Instructions
To prepare the dry ingredients:
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the dry rub until evenly combined.
To prepare the ribs:
- Coat the pork ribs with the dry rub; allow them to sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight.
To prepare the BBQ sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
- Add the garlic and onions; cook until the onions have softened; stirring occasionally.
- Add the remaining sauce ingredients; simmer very slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 30 – 40 minutes, or until the sauce reaches a brush able consistency,
- Let the sauce cool for a half hour, or so, then puree the sauce in a food processor or with an immersion blender.
- Save leftover sauce by bottling it, in mason jars, or freezing in small airtight containers.
To cook the ribs:
- Cook the ribs, very slowly, on the grill, for a couple of hours by using only one burner of the grill and cooking the ribs on the opposite side; not under the direct heat; turning occasionally.
- Alternatively, cook the ribs in a covered roasting pan in a pre-heated 275°F oven for about 2 hours.
- Either way, finish the ribs by grilling them directly over medium heat, brushing on the BBQ sauce and turning them after a minute or two.
- Generally, three coats of the sauce, on each side of the ribs, is sufficient to get the full flavor of the Bourbon BBQ sauce.
- Remove from the grill and serve.