Forget the standard BBQ sauce — this bold, boozy marinade delivers balanced flavor that hits every note — sweet, savory and smoky, with a little bit of heat. It gets its kick from smoky chipotle chiles in adobo, then is softened by a bourbon and brown sugar sweetness that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. Soy sauce, Worcestershire and a dash of Dijon mustard bring savory depth. Because flanken-style ribs are cross-cut into thin strips, they absorb the marinade well and cook in minutes, making them a high-impact, low-stress centerpiece for your next backyard cookout, paired with your favorite BBQ side dishes!
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Directions
Mix the bourbon, brown sugar, chipotle in adobo, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, chili powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika in a large measuring cup. Add the ribs to a 9-by-13-inch glass or ceramic container and cover with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight (see Cook’s Note). If the ribs are not completely submerged in the marinade, flip them around about halfway through the marinating time.
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
Season the ribs all over with 1 heaping teaspoon salt. Place on the grill, brush with any residual marinade and cook until slightly charred but still pink inside, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
Cook’s Note
We found the flavor was best when the ribs marinated overnight.
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