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Bourbon Cranberry Baby Back Ribs -- These Bourbon Cranberry Baby Back Ribs are baked with a simple spice rub and then smothered with a bourbon cranberry BBQ sauce. They're perfect for serving during the holiday season, but are delicious all winter long! | wearenotmartha.com #babybackribs #cranberrysauce #cranberries #bourboncranberry #holidaydinners

Bourbon Cranberry Baby Back Ribs

These Bourbon Cranberry Baby Back Ribs are baked with a simple spice rub and then smothered with a bourbon cranberry BBQ sauce. They're perfect for serving during the holiday season, but are delicious all winter long!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baby Back Ribs Recipes, BBQ Sauce Recipes, Savory Cranberry Recipes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Makes: 4 -5 servings
Author: Sues

Ingredients

  • 2 racks (4-5 lbs) babyback ribs
  • cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper

Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

  • 1 12-oz. bag fresh cranberries
  • ½ cup bourbon
  • cup orange juice
  • cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste (can also use ketchup)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees and line two baking sheets with foil.
  • If your ribs have the "silverskin" membrane on them (will be on the back bone side), remove by sliding your finger or a small knife underneath and gently pulling it away (see notes section for more details). Cut racks of ribs in half if necessary for the size of your baking sheets.
  • In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, ginger, paprika, salt and pepper. Rub both sides of ribs with the seasoning.
  • Place ribs meaty side up on baking sheets and tightly cover in foil. Bake for 1 ½ hours. 
  • While ribs are in the oven, make bourbon cranberry sauce. 
  • Remove ribs from oven and brush with bourbon cranberry sauce. Place back in oven, uncovered for about 30 more minutes, until ribs are tender (if you're using a meat thermometer, they should register between 180-195 degrees). If you want sauce to caramelize a bit, put ribs under the broiler for a couple minutes.

Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

  • In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer. Simmer for about 20 minutes while occasionally stirring, until cranberries are burst and sauce has thickened. Remove sauce to blender and puree.

Notes

  • For more info. on removing the silverskin from ribs, see here.
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