BBQ Bourbon Short Ribs

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The deep flavors in these BBQ Bourbon Short Ribs are unmatched — a soulful blend of smoky chipotle, maple sweetness, and tender beef slow-braised to perfection. The dish sings with Southern-inspired richness, spiked with jalapeños for a bold bite and mellowed with just the right splash of bourbon. It’s the kind of meal you make for a cozy weekend, a celebratory dinner, or just when you’re craving something indulgent and slow-cooked. The aroma fills your home, the ribs fall right off the bone, and the sauce? It’s so good you’ll want to drink it. No grill required — just pure flavor and heartwarming satisfaction.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

6 pounds Beef Short Ribs
1 cup Flour (seasoned with salt and pepper)
1 tablespoon Clarified Butter or Garlic Olive Oil
2 cups Yellow Onion, chopped
1 cup Leeks, cut into ¼” to ½” chunks
4 Celery Stalks, sliced on the bias
2 Jalapeño Chili Peppers, seeded and diced
1 Green Bell Pepper, large dice
1 Red Bell Pepper, large dice
6 to 8 Whole Garlic Cloves
½ cup Dark Brown Sugar
2 cups Tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme, Oregano, and Rosemary (chopped and mixed)
2 tablespoons Chipotle Chilies in Adobo Sauce
¼ cup Maple Syrup or Aged Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
3 to 4 cups Beef Stock
¼ teaspoon Liquid Smoke
½ cup Maple Bourbon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Pat the short ribs dry and dredge in seasoned flour.
In a frying pan, heat clarified butter or garlic olive oil. Sear the ribs on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
In a large ovenproof pot, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add onions and sweat for 5 minutes until golden.
Add leeks, celery, and both bell peppers. Cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the jalapeños and whole garlic. When aromatic, add tomatoes, brown sugar, herbs, chipotle, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and vinegar.
Nestle the ribs back into the pot. Pour in enough beef stock to nearly cover them.
Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours, until fork-tender.
Add liquid smoke and maple bourbon in the last 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Kcal: ~675 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings

The Soul of BBQ: Why These Bourbon Short Ribs Stand Out

BBQ has always been more than just a cooking method—it’s a culinary culture deeply rooted in community, patience, and flavor. While grilling and smoking dominate the conversation around BBQ, oven-baked short ribs offer an irresistible alternative that delivers bold, complex flavors with maximum tenderness. Chef Jean-Pierre’s BBQ Bourbon Short Ribs are a luxurious take on comfort food, crafted with deep culinary knowledge and a love for bold, slow-cooked flavor.

This dish isn’t just another short rib recipe—it’s a masterclass in layering taste and texture. With rich, marbled beef short ribs, aromatic vegetables, a custom spice blend, and a slow-braising technique finished with maple bourbon, every bite feels like an explosion of smoky, sweet, and savory perfection.

A French Twist on an American Classic

Chef Jean-Pierre, a classically trained French chef, infuses this American BBQ staple with culinary sophistication. Known for his humorous yet detail-driven teaching style, Chef Jean-Pierre brings decades of Michelin-level technique into the home kitchen, making gourmet cooking approachable.

Instead of relying solely on outdoor grilling or smoking, this recipe takes you indoors—into the oven—using braising techniques that allow the flavors to deepen over several hours. This is slow food at its finest: high in technique but practical enough for home cooks to pull off with confidence.

A Symphony of Ingredients: What Makes This Recipe Special

What sets this recipe apart is the quality and combination of ingredients. Each component is carefully selected to add complexity to the dish:

Beef Short Ribs (6 lbs): Marbled and bone-in, these ribs are the perfect cut for long braising. The bone adds richness, while the fat melts into the sauce.
Aromatics: Yellow onions, leeks, celery, garlic, and a trio of bell and chili peppers form a flavor base that builds umami and depth.
Maple Bourbon (½ cup): This is the secret to the recipe’s smoky-sweet complexity. It adds warmth, richness, and a hint of caramel.
Dark Brown Sugar (½ cup): Balances out the acidity from tomatoes and vinegar, while enhancing the meat’s natural sweetness.
Chipotle in Adobo: This smoky, spicy chili paste brings a punch of bold, smoky heat without overwhelming the dish.
Maple or Aged Balsamic Vinegar: Introduces acidity to cut through the fattiness of the ribs and tie all the elements together.
Fresh Herbs: A blend of thyme, oregano, and rosemary keeps the flavor vibrant and herbaceous.
Liquid Smoke: Just a quarter teaspoon adds that unmistakable BBQ essence, making the dish feel like it was cooked low-and-slow over a fire.

Each element in this dish works in harmony, with careful attention to balance—sweetness, acidity, spice, richness, and aroma. The result is a sauce that clings beautifully to the ribs and offers layer after layer of flavor.

Nutritional and Culinary Benefits of Short Ribs

Short ribs may seem indulgent, and in many ways they are, but they also come with surprising nutritional benefits. Rich in collagen, these cuts are ideal for slow-cooking methods like braising, where the connective tissue breaks down into gelatin—creating a silky, luxurious sauce naturally.

High in protein: A serving of beef short ribs offers roughly 25–30g of high-quality protein.
Source of iron and zinc: Important for energy production and immune support.
Natural source of collagen: Especially beneficial for joint, skin, and gut health when slow-cooked properly.
Satisfying fats: Yes, short ribs are fatty—but when eaten in moderation, that fat contributes to satiety and flavor, keeping you full and satisfied longer.

This recipe uses no processed sauces or preservatives—just whole ingredients that develop flavor through time, heat, and love.

The Technique: Braising Done Right

Braising is a cooking method that transforms tough cuts into tender masterpieces. In this recipe, the process involves searing the meat for a rich crust, then slowly cooking it in a flavorful liquid until fork-tender.

Here’s a breakdown of the essential steps:

Searing – Each rib is dredged in seasoned flour and seared in clarified butter or garlic olive oil. This caramelization locks in juices and creates a flavorful crust.
Building the Flavor Base – Vegetables and spices are sautéed in stages to create layers of flavor. Peppers and garlic are added after the onions to prevent burning and ensure the balance of sweetness and heat.
Deglazing and Sauce Building – Tomatoes, herbs, spices, and liquids are added next to form the braising liquid. The mix of Worcestershire, chipotle, vinegar, and brown sugar creates a balanced sauce with depth.
Slow Cooking – The ribs are returned to the pot, covered, and cooked for 2½ to 3 hours until meltingly tender.
Final Flourish – Only after cooking are the bourbon and liquid smoke added. This ensures that the bourbon retains its complex flavor and aroma, rather than evaporating completely during cooking.

This level of attention to technique is what elevates this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Perfect Pairings for BBQ Bourbon Short Ribs

The boldness of these ribs begs for sides that can hold their own. Here are a few fantastic pairing ideas:

Creamy Polenta or Mashed Potatoes: These mellow, rich bases absorb the BBQ juices beautifully.
Roasted Root Vegetables: Carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips bring sweetness and earthiness that complement the glaze.
Crispy Brussels Sprouts: Their bitterness balances the sweet, sticky sauce perfectly.
Coleslaw or Pickled Veggies: Acidic, crunchy elements cut through the richness and refresh the palate.
Buttermilk Cornbread: A Southern classic that offers buttery contrast and a great vehicle for scooping up the sauce.

Don’t forget a bold red wine or a smoky bourbon cocktail to round out the meal!

Tips for Success

Even though this dish is relatively straightforward, a few pro tips can make it absolutely foolproof:

Use room-temperature meat: Let the ribs sit out for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even searing and better moisture retention.
Don’t rush the process: Let the ribs braise low and slow for maximum tenderness.
Strain and reduce the sauce: If you’re aiming for a more elegant presentation, consider straining the sauce after braising and reducing it separately to a glaze.
Make it ahead: This dish actually improves after resting for a few hours or overnight. Reheat gently for even better flavor.

Chef Jean-Pierre’s Signature Style

Chef Jean-Pierre’s approach to cooking is both educational and entertaining. With over 1.8 million YouTube subscribers, he has brought gourmet techniques into countless home kitchens around the world. What makes this recipe so special is that it reflects his core philosophy: cooking should be joyful, flavorful, and approachable.

From the use of mise-en-place to his clever ingredient swaps and step-by-step instructions, Chef Jean-Pierre doesn’t just give you a recipe—he teaches you how to cook like a chef.

His Bourbon BBQ Short Ribs aren’t just food—they’re an experience. A sensory feast built on tradition, innovation, and genuine culinary craftsmanship.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a dish that impresses, comforts, and satisfies on every level, Chef Jean-Pierre’s BBQ Bourbon Short Ribs is it. With layers of sweet, smoky, and savory flavor, this recipe is a testament to the power of simple ingredients used wisely. From the tender, fall-off-the-bone beef to the rich, sticky glaze infused with bourbon and brown sugar, this meal elevates any table it graces.

Whether you’re cooking for a weekend gathering, a family celebration, or just treating yourself to something special, these ribs are guaranteed to deliver. It’s not just about eating—it’s about savoring every bite, sharing good food, and making memories around the dinner table.

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