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    Home » Dinner » Meat and Poultry » Bourbon Baby Back Ribs | Slow Cooker

    Bourbon Baby Back Ribs | Slow Cooker

    Last updated on September 23, 2020. Originally posted on August 5, 2019 By Elaine 64 Comments

    1.6K shares
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    Bourbon Baby Back Ribs for Pinterest

    This slow cooker bourbon baby back ribs recipe is so good. The slow cooker does all the work for you so it’s super easy. You just throw the ribs into the cooker, whip up the sauce, pour it over the ribs, set the timer and you’ll end up with ribs that fall off the bone.

    A hand holding one of the ribs over a plate of them. There are more ribs and sauce in the background

    Slow cooker equals love

    It’s fun that you can make delicious bourbon baby back ribs, even if you don’t own a grill (I haven’t owned one in years).

    I make these ribs as often as I can. They are succulent for sure, but what makes them really stand out is the sauce. It’s boozy and has just the right amount of sweetness to complement the meat without overpowering it or making you want to check your blood sugar after consuming it.

    The sauce is also so delicious that you might even want to ladle it over baked potatoes or veggies or, dare I say, dip your bread into it.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    Helpful tips

    • Sometimes baby back ribs are also known as loin ribs. You can use either.
    • You can cook these ribs in your slow cooker either on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. I find they come out exactly the same. I prefer getting the ribs done quicker so I can eat them sooner.
    • Cut the ribs in half so they fit in the slow cooker better.
    • Make sure to cover both sides of the ribs with the bourbon sauce, especially since they will have to overlap a little.

    How to make bourbon baby back ribs

    Pre-step

    Get out your slow cooker and large glass bowl and whisk.

    Step one

    Gather the ingredients: bourbon, maple syrup, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic paste, onion powder and pepper.

    The ingredients for the bourbon sauce - bourbon, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic and pepper

    Step two

    Add all the above ingredients into the bowl. (A)

    Step three

    Whisk until combined. (B)

    The ingredients for the bourbon sauce in a glass bowl and then whisked until combined

    Perfect. (Christopher loves this sauce and eats it by the spoonful when he thinks I’m not looking.)

    Meat prep

    Step four

    Take the pork out of its wrapping and trim off some of the fat. I also cut the rack in half so it will fit better in the slow cooker.

    Step five

    Place the ribs in the cooker. (C)

    Step six

    Pour the bourbon sauce over the ribs and take a spatula and scrape all the sauce out of the bowl. You don’t want to miss any drops of this delicious sauce.

    Make sure the sauce coats the ribs, especially where the ribs touch. (D)

    Ribs in the slow cooker insert and the bourbon sauce poured on top

    Step seven

    Cover the slow cooker. Set the temperature to high and the timer for four hours. After two hours, open the cover and ladle some of the sauce over the ribs. Replace the lid.

    Step eight

    Transfer the ribs to a serving plate. Pour the bourbon sauce in a bowl and place a ladle in it. Cut as many ribs as you want and plate them.

    Ladle more bourbon sauce over the ribs and plate with a baked potato and a veggie.

    baby back ribs on a plate with potato and veggie. There is a platter of ribs, a salad and sauce in the background

    Mmmmm.

    Let’s get closer.

    Close up of the ribs on a white beaded plate with a potato and bok choy. There are ribs and sauce in the background


    The meat literally falls off the bone cooking it this way! And boy, is it TASTY!!

    I hope you enjoyed this bourbon baby back ribs recipe!

    Please feel free to leave me a comment. What’s your favorite bar-b-que sauce? I’d love to know.

    Other popular bourbon recipes

    • Meatballs
    • Manhattan
    • Caramel sauce

    And as always, may all your dishes be delish.

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

    A hand holding one of the baby back ribs over the plate with sauce and more ribs in the background- square

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Baby Back Ribs

    This bourbon baby back rib recipe is so good, the meat just falls off the bone. The beauty of this recipe is your slow cooker does all the work for you, but you can enjoy the fruits of its labor.
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: baby back ribs, bourbon baby back ribs, slow cooker ribs
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 14 ribs
    Calories: 220kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    Bar-bie sauce

    • ¾ cup ketchup
    • ½ cup bourbon (or to taste)
    • â…› cup maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 teaspoons garlic paste (or two cloves, crushed)
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • â…› teaspoon pepper (or a few shakes)

    Meat

    • 3 pounds baby back ribs (trimmed, and cut in half)

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl, add ketchup, bourbon, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion powder, soy and pepper
    • Mix with a whisk until incorporated
    • In a slow cooker, add the ribs
    • Pour bar-b-que sauce on top of ribs and make sure you cover both sides. The ribs will overlap, so make sure there is sauce where they touch
    • Cover slow cooker and set to high and cook for 4 hours
    • After 2 hours, open the lid and ladle the sauce over the ribs, basting them.
    • Plate ribs with a potato and salad
    • Pour whatever bar-b-que sauce is left in the slow cooker in a serving bowl
    • Pour some sauce on ribs
    • Eat
    • Smile
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    Slow cooker
    glass bowl
    whisk
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    This recipe gives you a good amount of sauce!
    Helpful tips
    • Sometimes baby back ribs are also known as loin ribs. You can use either.
    • You can cook these ribs in your slow cooker either on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. I find they come out exactly the same. I prefer getting the ribs done quicker so I can eat them sooner.
    • Cut the ribs in half so they fit in the slow cooker better.
    • Make sure to cover both sides of the ribs with the bourbon sauce, especially since they will have to overlap a little.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4ribs | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Originally published July of 2017.

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    1.6K shares

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices

      July 03, 2017 at 10:32 am

      I know what you mean, all the time that takes to cook, and take pictures, and assemble, and write… I like your new style, plus you get to have some extra time to enjoy doing other things you love. As for this recipe, I am vegetarian, but my husband is a baby back rib lover and appreciates cooking with a slow cooker. He’d love this recipe 🙂 .

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 03, 2017 at 12:18 pm

        Thank you for commenting Nicoletta, especially since you are a vegetarian! 🙂 I’m glad you agree about the time it takes photographing, cooking etc. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Patty @pattysaveurs.com

      July 03, 2017 at 11:09 am

      Golly! These ribs are so tempting it’s hard to look at the pictures, I’m drooling, I love how they fall of the bone! Please Elaine, feed me! 🙂

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 03, 2017 at 12:17 pm

        Lol Patty! I wish I lived closer to you!

        Reply
    3. Ayngelina Brogan

      July 03, 2017 at 11:16 am

      This sauce looks amazing, I think I may try this recipe in the Instant Pot to see if it also holds up.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 03, 2017 at 12:17 pm

        Great Ayngelina! I have to get an instant pot! Pronto!

        Reply
    4. Dannii

      July 03, 2017 at 11:29 am

      Anything with bourbon has to be a good thing, right? These look incredible and I bet the sauce is epic.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 03, 2017 at 12:16 pm

        Thank you Dannii, it truly is!

        Reply
    5. Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos

      July 03, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      You had my attention at the mere mention of Bourbon 🙂 I hear ya on the multi photos – I wrestle with that question myself but totally understand. I think the way this is laid out is perfect and am absolutely loving your blog!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 03, 2017 at 1:16 pm

        Thank you so much Aly! I totally appreciate it!

        Reply
    6. Shashi at Savory Spin

      July 03, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      OH MY! I think I could lick that whole slow cooker clean! That sauce! WOW! Your bourbon baby back ribs look so incredibly wonderful!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 03, 2017 at 1:15 pm

        Lol Shashi!! Thank you!

        Reply
    7. Chris

      July 06, 2017 at 3:39 pm

      Had them again this week! Yay! Really DELISH.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 07, 2017 at 9:07 am

        Soo good! Thanks Chris

        Reply
    8. Michele

      July 09, 2017 at 12:16 pm

      I think your idea of no process shots is great! More time to create more recipes…. and I know you have us covered it its something a little tricks!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 12, 2017 at 11:13 am

        Thanks Michele! I appreciate the support!

        Reply
    9. Christine

      July 10, 2017 at 4:14 am

      I am such a sucker for perfectly cooked ribs – I love how you’ve made them in the slow cooker. Definitely going to be giving these a try!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 12, 2017 at 11:13 am

        Thank you Christine!

        Reply
    10. Jamie

      April 25, 2018 at 11:24 am

      Yum! I love fall off the bone ribs! Thank you for sharing – this looks delicious. Pinning for later!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        April 25, 2018 at 1:27 pm

        Thanks Jamie! These ribs are so tasty!

        Reply
    11. Gloria

      April 25, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Although I do not like drinking bourbon….I LOVE cooking with bourbon. These sound fantastic. I love my slow cooker…and pork. I just know these would be finger licking good.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        April 25, 2018 at 1:31 pm

        Thanks Gloria! Yes! I love cooking with bourbon too!

        Reply
    12. Veena Azmanov

      April 25, 2018 at 12:04 pm

      Yum Yum Yum! What a scrumptious dish! Cannot wait to try this! Looks very delicious! Great recipe. I’m delighted! Thank you for sharing this great recipe.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        April 25, 2018 at 1:30 pm

        Thanks Veena! It is quite scrumptious!

        Reply
    13. Pam

      April 25, 2018 at 12:51 pm

      Around here we use bourbon like some people use vanilla – many recipes benefit from a splash! So, this sounds just divine and cooking the ribs in the slow cooker no doubt makes them tender as can be.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        April 25, 2018 at 1:29 pm

        I love your way of thinking Pam, with a splash of bourbon! These ribs are super tender!

        Reply
    14. Christina Shoemaker

      April 25, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      In the slow cooker??? YESSS!! And that sauce looks incredible!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        April 25, 2018 at 1:28 pm

        Thanks Christina!

        Reply
    15. Deepika

      April 25, 2018 at 1:03 pm

      I love the flavors in this Bourbon Sauce. I am sure this is going to be a star of the meal.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        April 25, 2018 at 1:28 pm

        Thanks Deepika! Everyone loves these, for sure!

        Reply
    16. Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

      August 05, 2019 at 3:16 pm

      Yes, bourbon, just like bacon makes everything delicious. These ribs sound finger licking good. I actually have used this brand as well. You can never go wrong adding bourbon to recipes.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 05, 2019 at 4:30 pm

        Thanks Gloria! Yes! We have so much in common!!

        Reply
    17. Diana Reis

      August 05, 2019 at 6:49 pm

      So tender and the bourbon really sets it off. You can’t find a better rib recipe.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 06, 2019 at 2:20 pm

        Thanks so much Diana! I appreciate it.

        Reply
    18. Jen

      August 05, 2019 at 7:08 pm

      My hubs is a huge bourbon fan and we loved this recipe for bourbon baby back ribs. Will make again! great sauce!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 06, 2019 at 2:21 pm

        Thanks Jen! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    19. Beth Pierce

      August 05, 2019 at 7:16 pm

      What an incredible recipe! A restaurant worthy dish, indeed! Looking forward to making this for dinner tonight!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 06, 2019 at 2:21 pm

        Thanks Beth! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    20. Tammy

      August 05, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      Your shots are mouthwatering! This looks fall-off-the-bone delicious and super tender. I’m craving a rack of these ribs now!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 06, 2019 at 2:22 pm

        Hehe. Thanks Tammy! I actually had some for lunch. Just took them out of the freezer and heated them up. Yum.

        Reply
    21. Caroline

      August 05, 2019 at 8:07 pm

      Those look so tasty – that sauce sounds so flavorful. I agree using the slow cooker is great for ribs.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 06, 2019 at 4:54 pm

        Thanks so much Caroline!

        Reply
    22. Michelle

      August 06, 2019 at 10:03 am

      Oh gosh, that sauce!! I’m veggie but that sauce has me drooling, I can just imagine it with a baked potato! Going to send this on to my meat-loving friends, they will love this!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 06, 2019 at 2:23 pm

        The sauce is great on so many things!! And thanks for sending it along to your friends!

        Reply
    23. SHANIKA

      August 06, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      These Baby Back Ribs looks so delicious! I love that they are made in a Slow Cooker and that Bourbon Sauce is amazing!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 07, 2019 at 11:49 am

        Thanks Shanika! These are a family favorite!

        Reply
    24. Danielle

      August 07, 2019 at 9:12 am

      It’s amazing how easy recipes have become with the invention of a slow cooker! Love the way the ribs look – so inviting. I am definitely trying this recipe over the weekend – can’t wait to get my hands dirty!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 07, 2019 at 11:49 am

        Thanks Danielle! I hope you enjoy the ribs when you make them!

        Reply
    25. Jacquelyn Hastert

      August 08, 2019 at 10:07 am

      You caught my attention with bourbon 😉 These ribs look fall off the bone good! I love that the slow cooker does all the work for me while I am at work.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 09, 2019 at 3:06 pm

        They have to be my favorite rib recipe. The bourbon goes so well in the sauce and complement the ribs! Thanks Jacquelyn!

        Reply
    26. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen

      August 08, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      Oh my gosh Elaine, you are speaking to my heart with this ribs! They look so delicious and easy to make! Can’t wait to try these!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 09, 2019 at 3:05 pm

        Thanks so much Carrie! 🙂 So easy and delicious and . . . well . . . bourbon.

        Reply
    27. Kathryn

      August 10, 2019 at 11:09 am

      It has been a long time since I’ve baby back ribs! This reminds me that I need to do it. Saving this recipe to use at an end of summer party!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 11, 2019 at 6:27 pm

        Yay! Thanks Kathryn! I hope you enjoy it when you make them!

        Reply
    28. Amanda

      August 10, 2019 at 9:29 pm

      What a delicious recipe! The slow cooker makes these ribs so tender, and I love the flavor the bourbon adds. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 11, 2019 at 6:26 pm

        Thank you so much Amanda!! I appreciate it!

        Reply
    29. Analida Braeger

      August 11, 2019 at 12:01 pm

      My stomach is growling currently and I’m drooling while reading this. Ive never tried slow cooker ribs but you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference! I definitely will try these 🙂

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 11, 2019 at 6:26 pm

        Hehe. Thanks Analida! I appreciate it!

        Reply
    30. Veronika's Kitchen

      August 11, 2019 at 1:49 pm

      Bourbon and back ribs! My husband will definitely love this recipe! Can imagine how tasty that with with a splash of bourbon!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 11, 2019 at 6:25 pm

        It’s so good Veronika! I hope hubby enjoys them!

        Reply
    31. Amanda Mason

      August 11, 2019 at 10:05 pm

      Yum! I love this homemade bbq sauce and that you made these in the crockpot!! What a convenient way to make these ribs!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 12, 2019 at 10:18 am

        Thanks so much Amanda!! They are so easy!

        Reply
    32. Jo

      August 12, 2019 at 3:53 am

      Those ribs looks perfect, the flavours are so amazing. Absolutely droolocious

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 12, 2019 at 10:19 am

        Thanks so much Jo!! 🙂 I appreciate it!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

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