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Four grilled short ribs in a stack on a white background.
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5 / 4 votes

Grilled Beef Short Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Tender grilled beef short ribs are smothered with tangy bourbon barbecue sauce to make this showstopping meal.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time5 hours
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 1124

Ingredients

For the spice rub

  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt flakes
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for the grill
  • 4 1/2 pounds beef short ribs, cut between bones into single ribs

For the bourbon BBQ sauce

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 red chile, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soft brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup pureed tomatoes (passata)
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup bourbon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
US - Metric

Instructions

Make the spice rub

  • Combine the rub ingredients in a small bowl and massage it into the short ribs to thoroughly coat them. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Make the bourbon BBQ sauce

  • While the ribs are cooking, warm the oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and chile and cook for 4 minutes more.
  • Pour in the vinegar, sugar, pureed tomatoes, lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and bourbon. Stir to combine.
  • Bring the sauce mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until thickened, 20 to 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then set the sauce aside to cool.

Cook the ribs

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C)
  • Arrange the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Finish the ribs

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lighly coat with oil.
  • Place the ribs on the grill and brush with bbq sauce. Cook, turing and basting regularly until a charred, sticky crust forms, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Serve with any remaining bbq sauce.

Notes

    1. Easy clean-up--Line your baking dish with foil for easier cleanup.
    2. Make ahead--Bake the ribs up to a day in advance, then finish on the grill just before serving.
    3. Make extra sauce--Make a double batch of sauce. You'll want to keep extra sauce on hand for dousing on grilled chicken, spice-rubbed pork chops, and more.
    4. Dietary--This recipe is suitable for gluten-free and dairy-free diets.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 1124kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 73g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 37g | Cholesterol: 220mg | Sodium: 1621mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g