Savory Bourbon Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe Easy and Perfect
Tender, flavorful ribs slow-cooked with a sweet-savory bourbon and brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully, delivering a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 pounds baby back or spare pork ribs, trimmed of excess fat
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Trim and prep the ribs by removing the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs using a sharp knife and paper towel for grip.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and optional chili flakes until smooth.
- Place ribs inside the slow cooker and pour about two-thirds of the glaze over them, coating evenly. Use tongs or a spoon to spread and flip ribs gently to coat both sides.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until ribs are tender but still hold together.
- About 30 minutes before serving, remove ribs and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with remaining glaze and broil for 5 minutes to caramelize the glaze, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Let ribs rest a few minutes, then slice between bones and serve warm.
Notes
Remove the silver skin membrane for better tenderness and flavor absorption. Use a good quality bourbon for smooth flavor. Broiling the ribs after slow cooking is optional but recommended for a sticky, caramelized finish. If glaze is too runny, simmer it in a pan to thicken before brushing. Watch cooking times carefully to avoid mushy ribs. The recipe is adaptable for gluten-free and low-sugar diets by checking ketchup labels and substituting sweeteners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 ribs per ser
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker ribs, bourbon ribs, brown sugar ribs, easy ribs recipe, barbecue ribs, crockpot ribs, savory ribs, fall-off-the-bone ribs