She Strengthens

Tender, Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs with a Twist

Get ready to indulge in the most mouthwatering, slow-cooked baby back pork ribs you’ve ever tasted! The secret to achieving tender, juicy meat lies in the perfect blend of flavors and a clever cooking technique.

The Magic of Marination

To start, you’ll need to create a rich, bacon-bourbon barbecue sauce that will infuse the ribs with an explosion of flavors. This sauce is the key to making your ribs truly unforgettable. By marinating the ribs in this sauce for a few hours or overnight, you’ll be rewarded with meat that simply falls off the bone.

The Slow Cooker: A Game-Changer

Once the ribs have marinated to perfection, it’s time to transfer them to the slow cooker. This is where the magic happens. With the slow cooker set to high, the ribs will cook for 4-5 hours, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the sauce. To ensure the meat stays tender, make sure to stand the ribs up along the sides of the pot, keeping them out of the simmering sauce.

The Final Touches

After the ribs have cooked to perfection, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet, meat-side up. Brush them with a thick coat of the remaining sauce and broil for about 5 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning. Serve the ribs hot, accompanied by the remaining 2 cups of sauce for dipping.

The Recipe

Dry-Ingredients Mixture:

• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground yellow mustard seed
• 1 tablespoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Barbecue Sauce:

• 8 ounces thick-cut smoked bacon, chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 large shot bourbon
• 1 cup extra-strong brewed coffee
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

The Ribs:

• 2 racks baby back ribs

Instructions:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together and set aside.
2. Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until it starts to brown, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onions have softened, about 10 more minutes.
4. Add the dry-ingredients mixture and stir to evenly combine.
5. Add the bourbon and stir all of the ingredients together, deglazing the pan.
6. Blend the bacon-vegetable mixture, coffee, ketchup, and soy sauce in a blender until smooth.
7. Marinate the ribs in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
8. Cook the ribs in the slow cooker on high for 4-5 hours.
9. Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and broil for 5 minutes, brushing with the remaining sauce.
10. Serve hot and enjoy!