Scott Hibb's Amazing Whisky Grilled Baby Back Ribs

This recipe for cooking ribs in the oven, then grilling over high heat, features a barbecue sauce with molasses, vinegar, honey, and tomato paste.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr 40 mins
• Total Time: 3 hr
• Calories: 1029 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• Coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 (2 pound) slabs baby back pork ribs
• 1 tablespoon ground red chile pepper
• 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• 2 teaspoons whiskey
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 cup minced onion
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 cup white vinegar
• 0.5 cup tomato paste
• 0.25 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 2.5 tablespoons honey
• 2.25 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1.25 teaspoons liquid smoke flavoring

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil for 5 minutes. Stir in water, tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Add molasses, 2 teaspoons salt, garlic powder, whisky, remaining 1/2 tablespoon ground chile pepper, liquid smoke, onion powder, paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until sauce thickens, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set sauce aside.

Step 3

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grates.

Step 4

Remove wrapped ribs from the oven. Let stand for 10 minutes, then remove ribs from the foil.

Step 5

Cook ribs on the preheated grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Brush sauce on ribs while grilling, just before you serve them (adding sauce too early will burn ribs).

Step 6

Cut each full rack of ribs in half to make 4 half racks. Season with salt and black pepper (more black pepper than salt); sprinkle 1 tablespoon ground chile pepper over meat.

Step 7

Wrap each half rack in aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours and 30 minutes.