These incredibly tender Dr Pepper Ribs are perfect for any night of the week. This easy rib recipe is slow-cooked to perfection, soaking up all the bold flavors of Dr Pepper resulting in juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs slathered in a rich, smoky BBQ sauce.
Easy Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs
Slow-cooker ribs are very underrated. It’s a fantastic method to get delicious food where you don’t have to spend a lot of hands-on time in the kitchen. This recipe adds so much flavor to the ribs and you bake them at the end for the perfect amount of caramelization on the sauce. The Dr Pepper makes the meat fall off the bone tender while adding a subtle sweetness.
I make these Dr Pepper ribs for dinner fairly often. They pair well with a variety of side dishes, so I can create a whole new dinner. Plus, my kids love them! If you have picky little ones, give this recipe a try! Whether hosting a weekend cookout or craving some seriously delicious comfort food, this easy recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.
If you love cooking with Dr Pepper like we do, also try our Dr Pepper Baked Beans, Dr Pepper Ham, Dr Pepper Pulled Pork, Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce and for dessert Dr Pepper Brownies or Cherry Dr Pepper Cake!
Why You’ll Love These Dr Pepper Ribs
- Minimal prep is needed. There are not many steps to getting these ribs ready to go in the slow cooker.
- Budget-friendly. The ingredients in this Dr Pepper rib recipe are very affordable.
- Weeknight favorite. I love preparing this recipe for dinner on a busy weeknight.
What You’ll Need
There are a few ingredients needed to make these ribs. The Dr Pepper soda and country-style ribs are most important, but you may improvise on the flavor of barbecue sauce and spices that you use! For more information, scroll to the recipe card below.
- Country-style pork ribs: I use bone-in country-style ribs for this recipe. The bone adds more flavor to the meat.
- Dr. Pepper: You’ll need two 12-oz cans. One goes into the crock pot with the ribs, and the other is added to the sauce to finish the ribs and reinforce the Dr. Pepper flavor.
- BBQ sauce: Choose your favorite brand and variety of BBQ or make Homemade BBQ Sauce!
- Liquid smoke: I add a little bit of liquid smoke to give the ribs the signature smoky flavor you get from cooking them on the grill. You can leave it out if you prefer.
- Spices: I keep it simple with garlic powder and black pepper. You may use other spices like paprika and onion powder if you like.
How to Make Dr Pepper Ribs in the Slow Cooker
Here is how you make this Crock Pot ribs recipe. It’s very easy to prepare and the Dr Pepper helps to tenderize the meat and cook it to perfection before you switch it to the oven to caramelize!
- Put the ribs and soda in the pot. Place the pork ribs into the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour one can of Dr Pepper over the top.
- Cover and cook. Add the lid and cook the pork for about 7 hours on low heat or 4 hours on high heat.
- Prep the oven and sheet pan. Towards the end of the cooking time, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Then, line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and a wire rack.
- Make the sauce. Add BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, black pepper, and ⅓ cup of Dr Pepper to a medium bowl. Whisk the ingredients until they are well combined.
- Brush and bake. Transfer the ribs to the rack and brush with the sauce. Bake them for 15 minutes.
- Flip and repeat. Remove the pan from the oven, flip the ribs, and baste the other side with more sauce. Then, bake them for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve. Enjoy with extra sauce for dipping and your favorite side dish.
Serving Ideas
Serve popular cook-out side dishes with these Dr Pepper ribs like Creamy Potato Salad, Cilantro Lime Coleslaw, or Grilled Pineapple.
For a delicious dinner, here are some ideas of what to make with the ribs; Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Crockpot Creamed Corn, and Southern Collard Greens Recipe.
Tips for Success
- Grill instead of bake. You may put these Dr Pepper ribs on a hot grill to add char instead of baking them in the oven.
- Try diet soda. Substitute original Dr Pepper with diet Dr Pepper if you prefer.
- Use beef ribs. This recipe is great with beef, too. Keep an eye on them because the cooking time will differ slightly.
- Choose the Right Ribs: Baby back ribs are ideal for this recipe because they cook evenly and become incredibly tender in the slow cooker.
- Don’t Skip the Broiler: For an extra layer of flavor, don’t skip the broiling step. It adds a nice caramelized crust to the ribs that enhances their BBQ flavor.
- Experiment with BBQ Sauces: While any BBQ sauce will work, trying out different flavors can take these ribs to the next level. A spicy or smoky BBQ sauce can add an exciting twist.
Proper Storage
Store leftover slow cooker ribs in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To freeze, allow them to cool completely and place them in a Ziploc freezer-safe bag. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat the ribs in the oven at 350 degrees F, wrapped in foil. Save extra sauce so you may serve it with them. Ensure that you thaw the frozen pork in the refrigerator before you reheat it.
More Rib Recipes to Try
- Chinese Spare Ribs
- Cherry Dr Pepper Ribs Recipe
- Braised Short Ribs
- Instant Pot Ribs Recipe with Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Margarita Baby Back Ribs
Dr Pepper Ribs
Ingredients
- 4.5 pounds country style pork ribs
- 2 12 ounce Dr. Pepper soda divided
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In the slow cooker, pour 1 can of soda over ribs.
- Cover and cook on low for about 7 hours or on high for about 4.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Place a wire rack on prepared baking sheet.
- Stir together BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder and pepper with 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper.
- Move ribs from the slow cooker to wire rack.
- Brush ribs with sauce and bake for 15 minutes.
- Flip ribs, brush again and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve hot with remaining sauce.
Last Step:
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Notes
- Grill instead of bake. You may put these Dr Pepper ribs on a hot grill to add char instead of baking them in the oven.
- Try diet soda. Substitute original Dr Pepper with diet Dr Pepper if you prefer.
- Use beef ribs. This recipe is great with beef, too. Keep an eye on them because the cooking time will differ slightly.
- Choose the Right Ribs: Baby back ribs are ideal for this recipe because they cook evenly and become incredibly tender in the slow cooker.
- Don’t Skip the Broiler: For an extra layer of flavor, don’t skip the broiling step. It adds a nice caramelized crust to the ribs that enhances their BBQ flavor.
- Experiment with BBQ Sauces: While any BBQ sauce will work, trying out different flavors can take these ribs to the next level. A spicy or smoky BBQ sauce can add an exciting twist.
Nutrition
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76 comments on “Dr Pepper Ribs”
These are good! I just bought a 16ounce blackberry Dr. Pepper instead of regular. Check your ribs at the 3 hour mark. You don’t want them falling apart.
Thanks Cheryl!
Love this recipe! I never thought I could cook ribs but this recipe is so easy and the ribs are delicious. My son loves them also
Thanks Amy!
5 *****… came out Delicious fast very affordable recipe… my guests raved about it … next I’m doing chicken, pork butt for pulled pork… I’m all over this… Thankyou ✌️
Thanks Teresa!
I’m confused about number 5.
Wire rack…..what exactly do I need to buy ?
I don’t want to sound dumb. Lol
Hi Shon. That’s not a dumb question. If you’ve never used one it can sound weird. You’ll want to use a wire rack made for a baking pan. They come in various sizes so you can get one for the size pans you have.
I tried this and was very happy with the results. The ribs were tasty and fell off the bone. Paired with good old fashioned potato salad, Bush’s Grilling Beans, hot cornbread and dill pickle chips-was a very satisfying meal!
Sounds like a great meal! Thanks Jeff!
Made this recipe several times. It is always perfect! My menfolk love ribs and this is their favorite kind. Easy, too, so it is my favorite, too!
Glad to hear that! Thank you!
Making these tonight and finishing them off tomorrow.
Hi, will leaving out the liquid smoke heavily impact the flavor? Hesitant to buy some.
Thanks!
Hi Michaela. It will be fine if you omit the liquid smoke. It will still have great flavor without the smoked taste. Some people don’t like the flavor of liquid smoke and omit as well.
Also, I have found several friends including myself that have an allergic reaction to anything cooked with Liquid Smoke. Make sure who will be eating before this is added. I never use it and the recipe is wonderful.
Is it sparingly.
These look amazing, can’t wait to try. Silly question – when I put on rack and brush with sauce – do I leave on the rack and bake?
Hi Jennifer. Yes, you will bake them on the rack. Let us know how they turn out!
How many people does the Dr. Pepper Crock Pot ribs serve?
Hi Nancy. 4.5 lbs will serve approximately 4-6 depending on portion size.
Would I be able to do this with beef ribs? If so any adjustments I need to make?
Hi Ashley. Yes, you could do beef ribs as well with no adjustments.
Made these for my family and they fell off the bone and were delicious.
I enjoy the recipe an try new recipes
I loved this recipe! I know that everyone likes things a little different. I find things all the time that I love but don’t cook again because I was the only one to love it. Not this!! We have made this again and again! It’s always a crowd pleaser!
This is the only recipe I use for ribs. I do put a brown sugar bourbon rub on them before putting them in the crock pot but this recipe has been a God send since I wasn’t the one before that did the ribs. Now it is ALWAYS my job lol
I’m so excited for these. I have them cooking now.
Can I use diet Dr, Pepper?
Yes you can use diet.
Can you use diet soda instead of regular soda?
Hi Suzy, yes you can use diet and you will get good results.
Turned out great
Made this tonight for daughter and her family. Two fussy kids and a husband that is a great cook, griller and smoker enthusiast. Got rave reviews and so simple. Ate it all. Thank you for a great recipe.