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Dr Pepper Ribs Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 95 reviews
  • Author: Simon
  • Total Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

These Dr Pepper Ribs are tender, flavorful, and infused with a unique sweetness from the iconic soda. Slow cooked to perfection and finished in the oven with a smoky, garlicky BBQ sauce, this recipe offers a delightful twist on classic country style pork ribs that’s perfect for an easy dinner or weekend gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4.5 pounds country style pork ribs
  • 2 (12 ounce) cans Dr. Pepper soda, divided
  • 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ribs: Place the country style pork ribs in the slow cooker. Pour 1 can of Dr. Pepper soda evenly over the ribs to help infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
  2. Slow cook the ribs: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook the ribs on low heat for about 7 hours, or choose high heat to cook for approximately 4 hours until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart.
  3. Preheat oven: While the ribs finish in the slow cooker, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to make cleanup easier and place a wire rack on the baking sheet.
  4. Make the sauce: In a bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and 1/2 cup of the remaining Dr. Pepper soda. Stir well to blend all flavors into a rich, smoky sauce perfect for glazing.
  5. Transfer ribs and apply sauce: Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on the wire rack set on the baking sheet. Brush the ribs generously with the prepared BBQ and Dr. Pepper glaze.
  6. Bake and glaze: Bake the ribs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip the ribs over, brush the other side with the sauce, and bake for another 15 minutes. This final step caramelizes the glaze and adds a delicious, sticky finish.
  7. Serve: Remove the ribs from the oven and serve hot with any remaining sauce on the side for dipping or additional brushing.

Notes

  • For best results, use country style pork ribs, which are meatier and work well with slow cooking.
  • Liquid smoke adds authentic smoky flavor without needing a grill or smoker.
  • Make sure to use Dr. Pepper soda to achieve the characteristic sweet and subtle spice flavor; do not substitute with other sodas.
  • The slow cooker tenderizes the ribs, while the oven finish gives them a perfect caramelized crust.
  • Leftover ribs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and re-heated gently in the oven.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Dr Pepper ribs, slow cooker ribs, country style ribs, BBQ ribs, pork ribs recipe, slow cooked pork ribs, sweet and smoky ribs

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Find it online: https://kitchenofsimon.com/dr-pepper-ribs-recipe/