Bourbon BBQ Glazed Ribs Corn (Printable)

Pork ribs glazed in rich bourbon BBQ sauce, paired with crispy sweet corn fries for Southern-inspired flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Pork Ribs

01 - 2 racks pork baby back ribs (about 4.5 lbs)
02 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Bourbon BBQ Sauce

08 - 1 cup ketchup
09 - 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
10 - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
11 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
13 - 2 tablespoons molasses or honey
14 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
17 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Sweet Corn Fries

19 - 2 cups sweet corn kernels, fresh or frozen
20 - 1 cup cornmeal
21 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
22 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
23 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
24 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
25 - 2 large eggs
26 - 1/2 cup milk
27 - Vegetable oil, for frying

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
02 - Remove membrane from the pork ribs and pat dry. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Coat both sides of the ribs evenly with the seasoning mixture.
03 - Wrap the seasoned ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 hours until tender.
04 - In a saucepan, combine ketchup, bourbon whiskey, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses or honey, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if desired, and minced garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Pulse sweet corn kernels in a food processor until coarsely chopped. In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and smoked paprika. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with milk. Add chopped corn and egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until a thick batter forms.
06 - Heat 1 to 1.25 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry until golden and crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
07 - Remove ribs from oven and carefully open aluminum foil. Brush ribs generously with bourbon BBQ sauce. Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) or set broiler to high. Return ribs, uncovered, to oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until sauce caramelizes and becomes sticky.
08 - Cut ribs between bones and arrange on serving platter. Serve with extra bourbon BBQ sauce and sweet corn fries.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Uses familiar pantry items so you can whip it up without a special trip
  • Homemade BBQ sauce is rich and bold with a hint of bourbon sweetness
  • Sweet corn fries are addictively crispy and a fresh twist on classic sides
  • Perfect for entertaining or a family night that feels like a restaurant treat
02 -
  • High in protein and fiber thanks to pork and fresh corn
  • The ribs freeze beautifully for future meals
  • Bourbon BBQ sauce can be made ahead or used as a dip for other dishes
03 -
  • Do not skip removing the rib membrane it makes a huge difference in tenderness
  • Let ribs rest for five minutes before slicing so juices redistribute
  • Pulse corn gently so fries have bites of corn not just mush
  • Always taste your BBQ sauce and adjust for sweetness or heat according to your bourbon
  • If finishing on the grill watch closely so the caramelized glaze does not burn

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