Name: Slow Cooker Bourbon Beef Ribs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 10 min
Cuisine: Asian, American,
Ingredients: Bourbon Sauce; 5 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely; 2 tablespoons of olive oil; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup sweet chilli sauce; 1/4 cup light soy sauce; 1/2 cup bourbon (or apple juice or rootbeer soda for those who want non-alcohol); 1/2 cup honey; Seasoning for Ribs:; 1 slab of around 8 beef short ribs; Seasoning for Ribs: 2 tablespoons of mixed dried herbs (oregano, basil, and parsley), and 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic powder, add a little bit of salt and pepper; 1 cup of either rootbeer or coke mixed with 1/4 cup of bourbon (or use all soda)

Beef Ribs are a favorite here in our home and they are so easy to make in slow cooker fork tender and our homemade bourbon sauce makes them even better!

With just a few blended seasonings together and a mixture of bourbon with a popular flavored soda, these ribs will melt in your mouth tender and the only recipe you'll ever need!

We make a variety of homemade seasonings you may like to try (or use the one below in our printable recipe card at the bottom) DIY Seasonings and easy-to-make rubs from mild to spicy blends and for all meats and seafood.

These beef ribs are perfect to make all year long with all our easy cooking methods to choose from below for your convenience. we offer oven, grilled, or slow cooker directions.

Scroll through our tips and suggestions and to avoid ads hit print for the recipe at the bottom of the page.

a slab of bourbon bbq slow cooker beef ribs

Easiest Recipe Step by Step for Bourbon Beef Ribs

season the ribs with our seasoning herb mix
make the BBQ sauce and set it aside (this can be made ahead of time)
pour the bourbon and soda mixed together in the slow cooker
slow cooker on low for up to 6 to 8 hours then check to see if the meat comes away from the bone
finish under the broiler for a crispier rib
for alcohol use all soda or apple juice

Cooking Methods

Grilled Method: First I usually parboil the ribs for 20 minutes then drain. A rack of back ribs will take between 1 1/2 -2 hours to cook (with the lid closed), and you should flip them approximately every 20 minutes. Baste with bourbon sauce each time you flip. Check for doneness and tenderness by inserting fork tines between two ribs.
Oven: the best way is to slow cook in a tightly covered baking pan or use a cooking bag at 275 degrees for around 4 to 5 hours to check to see if they fall off the bone easily. Read the package instructions for the directions.
Electric Smoker: Heat the smoker to 225 degrees and use hickory or mesquite chips or another kind you prefer. Place the ribs on an oil-sprayed rack. Smoke the ribs for 3 hours adding wood chips every 35 minutes. Remove the ribs from the racks. Brush with barbecue sauce.

Shopping List Needed (full recipe in the printable card below)

bone-in beef ribs
low-sodium soy sauce
Bourbon
coke or rootbeer
ketchup
garlic
salt, pepper
chili sauce
honey
olive oil

seasoned beef ribs in the a 7 quart slow cooker

Tips For Making Beef Ribs

for a spicy bbq sauce add a pinch of cayenne pepper
beef ribs can also be substituted for pork ribs
leftovers are great pulled off the bone in fried rice recipes or shredded in a wrap or slider buns
you can make this sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it in a mason jar
for alcohol use all soda or apple juice
for crispier ribs, broil them at the end on a baking sheet until they are a little charred on top around 4 to 5 minutes on high

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Serving Suggestions

These ribs can be served with plain steamed rice, home fries or fried rice , garlic mashed potatoes and corn on the cob, and cowboy beans, just to name a few of our favorites.

Also, Oriental Ramen Noodle Salad goes great with these ribs or your favorite cole slaw.

Slow Cooker Bourbon Beef Ribs

Yield: 4

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 8 HourTotal time: 8 H & 10 M

Beef Ribs slow cooked in a bourbon and topped with a homemade bourbon BBQ sauce.

Ingredients

Bourbon Sauce
5 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup sweet chilli sauce
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1/2 cup bourbon (or apple juice or rootbeer soda for those who want non-alcohol)
1/2 cup honey
Seasoning for Ribs:
1 slab of around 8 beef short ribs
Seasoning for Ribs: 2 tablespoons of mixed dried herbs (oregano, basil, and parsley), and 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic powder, add a little bit of salt and pepper
1 cup of either rootbeer or coke mixed with 1/4 cup of bourbon (or use all soda)

Instructions

Use some cooking oil to spray the interior of the slow cooker.
Place the slow cooker on low for 6- 8 hours.
Place the ribs on a board and season the ribs with the seasoning mix.
Place into the slow cooker.
Pour the 1/4 cup bourbon mixed with the coke or rootbeer soda into the slow cooker. (use all carbonated soda or apple juice if you want non-alcohol)
Set the slow cooker to low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours.
In the meantime, saute the garlic in olive oil in a small saucepan then add and simmer all the bourbon sauce ingredients until it reduces to half.
Drain the liquid off after the meat is cooked.
The ribs can be basted 30 minutes before serving in the slow cooker or for crispier beef ribs place them on a baking sheet brushed with the sauce and broil them for a few minutes until a little char starts to form.

Notes

Cooking Methods

Grilled Method: First I usually parboil the ribs for 20 minutes then drain. A rack of back ribs will take between 1 1/2 -2 hours to cook (with the lid closed), and you should flip them approximately every 20 minutes. Baste with bourbon sauce each time you flip. Check for doneness and tenderness by inserting fork tines between two ribs.
Oven: the best way is to add the ribs to a baking pan and cover tightly or use a cooking bag at 275 degrees for around 4 to 5 hours to check to see if they fall off the bone easily. Read the package instructions for the directions.
Electric Smoker: Heat the smoker to 225 degrees and use hickory or mesquite chips or another kind you prefer. Place the ribs on an oil-sprayed rack. Smoke the ribs for 3 hours adding wood chips every 35 minutes. Remove the ribs from the racks. Brush with barbecue sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

440.78

Fat (grams)

7.3 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

0.97 g

Carbs (grams)

67.67 g

Fiber (grams)

0.69 g

Net carbs

66.95 g

Sugar (grams)

62.02 g

Protein (grams)

2.8 g

Sodium (milligrams)

1407.2 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

0.15 mg

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