This recipe for Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs makes the most gloriously sticky ribs for a finger-licking meal.
This recipe is a great option for summer parties – if the sun is shining you can BBQ, but if you end up with rain, you can still have a great meal!
I love a barbecue, but all too often in England, they get rained out. I like this recipe because you don’t have to be counting on the sunshine to plan a meal for summer gettogether.
I have learned to make dishes that don’t need the outdoors to cook them to perfection. These ribs are one of those meals. It’s an easy recipe that can be prepared ahead and finished off when you know what the weather will bring.
Why this recipe works:
- The rub is simple and doesn’t require a trip to the store for fancy ingredients.
- These ribs can be made in the oven or on the grill. Either way, they come out tender and full of flavor.
- The bourbon adds a complexity to the sauce that levels up the whole recipe!
To add the sweetness, I know it sounds odd, but I use plain old ketchup as well as balsamic vinegar and honey. I add soy sauce to balance it out with a salty flavor and bourbon to add a richness to the sauce.
This dish is packed full of sweet and savory flavors and is cooked to sticky perfection! It’s a real crowd-pleaser!
How to Make Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs:
In a small mixing bowl add the ingredients for the dry rub.
Mix well and apply the rub to the ribs.
Cover the pan with foil and bake.
Meanwhile, to make the glaze, place the ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, and bourbon into a saucepan, stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Simmer for 5 mins until thickened and sticky, then remove from the heat and set aside until needed.
Once cooked separate the ribs and cover with the sauce.
At this point, they are ready to throw on the grill or finish in the oven.
Once they are cooked, add more sauce if you’d like and serve hot.
Cook’s Tips:
- You can do the first cook on the grill. If you don’t want to light the oven, you can also cook the ribs in the covered pan on the grill over cool heat (the coolest part of the grill).
- Place a drip pan on the grill grate under the section of the cooking grate where the ribs will be cooking. It will help minimize flare-ups of the flames and burning ribs. Ready-made drip pans can be store bought or you can make your own out of foil.
- If you don’t like a charred sauce when grilling, add the sauce at the end of grilling to help avoid a burnt and crusted sauce.
Recipe Variations:
- Smoked paprika gives a great smokey BBQ taste, but if you don’t have it on hand you can swap it out for sweet paprika.
- The sauce can be doubled if you like the extra sauce to dip or slather on finished ribs.
- Add cayenne pepper to taste if you prefer your ribs a bit spicy.
FAQs
The alcohol in the sauce is cooked out, so don’t worry you can serve it to the kids!
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Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs
This recipe for Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs makes the most gloriously sticky ribs for a finger-licking meal.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs spare ribs cut into individual ribs
For the Rub
- ⅛ cup smoked paprika
- ⅛ cup sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 5 teaspoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Glaze
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup honey
- 5 tablespoons bourbon
Instructions
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Heat oven to 325F/165C.
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In a small bowl, mix the spices for the rub.
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Cover the ribs with the rub so they’re coated all over.
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Place the ribs on a baking tray and cover the pan with foil and bake for 1 hour, until tender.
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Meanwhile, to make the glaze, place the ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, and bourbon into a saucepan, stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
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Simmer for 5 mins until thickened and sticky, then remove from the heat and set aside until needed
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At this point, they can be dipped in the glaze and grilled on the BBQ for 10-15 minutes (brushing with the glaze again as needed)
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If Baking:
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When the ribs are done, remove from the oven and increase the heat to 400F/200C.
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Using a pair of tongs, dip each rib in the glaze, then return to the rack.
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Place the ribs back in the oven and cook for 10 mins.
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Remove from oven, dip into the glaze again, then return to the oven for another 10-12 minutes until sticky.
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Serve hot.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in July of 2015, but was republished with step by step instructions, new photos, tips, FAQs in June of 2018.
Lam says
Just made these today. Pleasantly surprised at the short prep time and simple method. The results were really good. I added some hickory liquid smoke and the rest of the rub is in a jar waiting for the next round.
Erren says
That’s so great to hear, Lam! Thanks for letting me know!
Sandra says
Who says you need to wait for summer, December here and ready with my ribs,your rub and sauce. Can hardly wait for it, I tweaked the rub by adding a bit of cayenne, we like a bit of spice. So excited.
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi Sandra, That does sound good I’ll have to try that!
Amanda Cauley says
So do you start off by cutting individual ribs or cook the rack whole before cutting? The photo shows it going in the oven whole, but then the recipe says to cut individually? i want to make this recipe, but just am not sure of the steps! Looks delicious!
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi Amanda, You can do either I’ve done both, The cooking time varies on the size of the ribs!
Amanda Cauley says
Thank you! I made these for a party we had, and they were devoured SO quickly! Great recipe..I have made it three times since!
Judy says
Best ribs ever, have made this recipe numerous times always a hit!!
Erren says
That’s so wonderful to hear, Judy!
Donna says
Used this recipe for chicken wings. Soaked my wings overnight in a cajun brine solution. After draining wings I sprinkled a generous amount of the rub on the wings and grilled them before brushing with sticky sauce. They were Delicious !!! Messy sweet tangy and absolutely fantastic. Great recipe !! Made extra rub to have on hand for homade potato chips. The sticky sauce is also great for shrimp on the grill. Thanks so much for a versatile recipe.
Billy says
Those ribs look awesome Erren. Also really nice job on the photos, super clear and they have my mouth watering. I’ll have to give this recipe a go!
Erren says
Thanks so much, Billy! Hope you like the recipe!
william clay says
Nice sauce! Im gonna make this again next time I bbq some ribs. (Awesome pictures too!)
Shirley says
Amazing! I’ll bet this sauce would be really good on chicken also!
Erren says
Yes, it’s great on most any meat! 🙂