Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Ribs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork ribs slow-grilled and basted with a smoky bourbon and maple glaze for a sweet and savory finish. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 230 minutes pairs racks (about 4 lbs) pork ribs, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 210 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your grill to low heat around 225°F for indirect cooking. Meanwhile, combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, and 1 tbsp garlic powder in a bowl and rub evenly over 2 racks of pork ribs.
  2. Step 2: Place the ribs bone-side down on the cool side of the grill, cover, and smoke slowly for 3 hours maintaining 225°F, adding wood chips if desired for extra smokiness.
  3. Step 3: While ribs cook, whisk together 1/2 cup bourbon, 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp chipotle powder in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: After 3 hours, brush the bourbon-maple glaze generously over the ribs and continue grilling for an additional 30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes until sticky and caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs from grill, let rest 10 minutes, then slice between bones and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 230 minutes (20 min prep + 210 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Ribs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep racks (about 4 lbs) pork ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Ribs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Ribs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Pork Ribs?

American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes