Print

Perfect 3-2-1 Smoked Baby Back Ribs Recipe with Easy Honey Bourbon Glaze

- featured image
Print Recipe

Tender, flavorful smoked baby back ribs with a sticky honey bourbon glaze using the foolproof 3-2-1 smoking method. Perfect for gatherings and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 2.5 to 3 pounds each), trimmed of silver skin
  • Dry Rub:
  • 2 tablespoons paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Honey Bourbon Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of salt
  • Aluminum foil (for wrapping)
  • Optional: wood chips for smoking (hickory or applewood recommended)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup apple juice or water (for wrapping moisture)

Instructions

  1. Prep the ribs (10 minutes): Remove the silver skin from the underside of both racks using a butter knife and paper towel.
  2. Apply the dry rub (5 minutes): Mix all dry rub ingredients and rub generously on both sides of each rack. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the smoker (15 minutes): Set smoker or grill to 225°F (107°C). Add soaked wood chips if desired.
  4. Smoke the ribs (3 hours): Place ribs bone side down on smoker grate. Smoke undisturbed for 3 hours.
  5. Wrap the ribs (2 hours): Place each rack on heavy-duty foil, add 1/4 cup apple juice or water around ribs, wrap tightly, and return to smoker for 2 hours.
  6. Glaze and finish (1 hour): Unwrap ribs, discard liquid. Mix glaze ingredients and brush on both sides. Return to smoker for 1 hour, applying a second glaze halfway through.
  7. Rest and serve (10 minutes): Let ribs rest before slicing between bones.

Notes

Keep smoker temperature steady at 225°F. Soak wood chips for 30 minutes before use. Apply glaze only in the final hour to avoid burning sugars. If ribs look dry after unwrapping, spritz with apple juice. Let ribs rest before slicing to retain juices. For non-alcoholic version, omit bourbon and increase apple cider vinegar and add orange juice. Oven finish option available if smoker not accessible.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoked ribs, baby back ribs, honey bourbon glaze, 3-2-1 ribs, BBQ ribs, smoked barbecue, easy ribs recipe, bourbon glaze, backyard BBQ

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/perfect-3-2-1-smoked-baby-back-ribs-recipe-with-easy-honey-bourbon-glaze/