Maple-Bourbon Glazed Baby Back Ribs

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

Tender baby back ribs slow-cooked and finished with a sticky maple-bourbon glaze for a perfect balance of sweet and smoky. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 210 minutes pairs racks, about 3 lbs total baby back ribs, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 190 min Serves 6 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Remove silver skin membrane from 2 racks of baby back ribs. In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder.
  2. Step 2: Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs. Place ribs on a rimmed baking sheet and cover tightly with foil.
  3. Step 3: Bake ribs in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until tender and meat pulls away from bones easily.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Preheat grill or broiler to high heat. Brush ribs generously with the maple-bourbon glaze on both sides.
  6. Step 6: Grill or broil ribs for 3-4 minutes per side, basting with additional glaze, until caramelized and slightly charred.
  7. Step 7: Let ribs rest for 5 minutes before slicing between bones and serving with remaining glaze.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Bourbon Glazed Baby Back Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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 Maple-Bourbon Glazed Baby Back 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 kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Bourbon Glazed Baby Back 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 Maple-Bourbon Glazed Baby Back 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 Maple-Bourbon Glazed Baby Back 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.

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