Dr Pepper Slow Cooker Ribs with BBQ Sauce Recipe
Succulent country style pork ribs slow-cooked in Dr. Pepper soda for tender, flavorful meat, then finished in the oven with a smoky, tangy BBQ glaze for a perfectly caramelized crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Ribs
- 4.5 pounds country style pork ribs
- 1 (12 ounce) can Dr. Pepper soda (for cooking)
- 1 (12 ounce) can Dr. Pepper soda (for sauce)
Sauce
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Slow Cook the Ribs: Place the pork ribs in the slow cooker and pour one 12-ounce can of Dr. Pepper soda over them. Cover and cook on low for about 7 hours or on high for about 4 hours until the ribs are tender.
- Preheat Oven: While ribs are finishing in the slow cooker, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to allow even cooking and air circulation.
- Prepare the BBQ Sauce: In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup BBQ sauce, 2 teaspoons liquid smoke, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper soda. Stir until well blended to create a flavorful glaze.
- Arrange Ribs for Baking: Carefully transfer the cooked ribs from the slow cooker to the wire rack on the prepared baking sheet.
- Apply Sauce and Bake (First Side): Generously brush the ribs with the prepared BBQ sauce mixture. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the ribs for 15 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.
- Flip and Sauce the Other Side: After 15 minutes, flip the ribs over to the other side. Brush again with the BBQ glaze and bake for an additional 15 minutes to finish caramelizing the sauce and developing a nice crust.
- Serve: Remove ribs from the oven and serve hot with the remaining BBQ sauce on the side for extra dipping and flavor.
Notes
- Using Dr. Pepper soda in cooking adds a unique sweet and spicy flavor that tenderizes the meat.
- For an even smokier taste, you can add more liquid smoke to the sauce if desired.
- Country style ribs are great for slow cooking as they become very tender and juicy.
- Using a wire rack when baking ensures ribs cook evenly and sauce caramelizes nicely.
- Leftover ribs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
Keywords: Dr Pepper ribs, slow cooker ribs, BBQ ribs, country style pork ribs, smoky ribs, sweet and savory ribs
