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Tender Brown Sugar Bourbon Glazed Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe

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A simple and delicious slow cooker recipe for tender, juicy ribs glazed with a sweet and boozy brown sugar bourbon sauce. Perfect for comfort food cravings and easy meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 to 3 pounds baby back ribs or spare ribs, trimmed
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed (use dark brown sugar for richer molasses flavor)
  • ¼ cup bourbon whiskey (60 ml)
  • ½ cup ketchup (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for mild heat

Instructions

  1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if not already done. Cut the rack into 2-3 smaller sections for easier handling (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using until thick but pourable (about 3 minutes). Taste the glaze for balance.
  3. Using tongs, dip each rib section into the glaze, coating well. Reserve some glaze for basting later (about 5 minutes).
  4. Arrange ribs upright in the slow cooker. Pour any leftover glaze over the ribs. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Check ribs for tenderness; they should pull apart easily with a fork. If not tender, cook an additional 30 minutes.
  6. Optional: Transfer ribs to a baking sheet, brush with reserved glaze, and broil for 3-5 minutes until bubbly and slightly charred. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Let ribs rest a few minutes before serving to allow glaze to set and flavors to settle.

Notes

Remove the membrane from ribs for tenderness. Use low heat setting for best texture. Avoid adding extra liquid to prevent stew-like ribs. Basting is optional. Broiling after slow cooking adds caramelized crust but is not required. Let ribs rest before slicing. If glaze is too thin, thicken with cornstarch slurry before cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown sugar bourbon ribs, slow cooker ribs, easy ribs recipe, bourbon glazed ribs, comfort food, slow cooker recipes, tender ribs

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/tender-brown-sugar-bourbon-glazed-ribs-slow-cooker-recipe-easy-perfect-meal/