Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs are made with a tender rack of slow cooked baby back pork ribs that pack a punch of flavor from a can of Dr Pepper, your favorite bbq sauce, and a handful of other ingredients. Slow cooking makes the best ribs!
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Ribs are an easy weeknight meal to whip up. With so many variations, flavors, and ways to cook them, they're a foolproof meal that everyone will enjoy. You can also make spare ribs in the Slow Cooker with my Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs recipe. If you would rather enjoy boneless ribs, these Oven Baked Boneless Ribs are a great recipe too.
Why these Crockpot Dr. Pepper Ribs Work
Using the Slow Cooker ensures that these ribs turn out super tender without having to do much work. These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs are the ultimate EASY finger-licking ribs to make when you want an easy dinner for the entire family.
These juicy ribs are great for summertime dinners, busy weeknights, and are great for game day finger food too like my Oven Baked Ribs!
Simple Ingredients
- Baby back pork ribs: Spare ribs or St Loius-style ribs will also work fine.
- Onion: White or yellow.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is always recommended.
- Dr Pepper soda
- Liquid smoke: while this is optional, I really think it adds to the flavor profile of these racks of ribs giving them a nice smokey flavor.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or my homemade recipe.
How to make slow cooker Dr Pepper Ribs
- Step 1: Pat the rack of ribs down with a paper towel. Use a knife to loosen the membrane layer on the back of the ribs and peel it off with a paper towel. Discard the membrane.
- Step 2: Add the diced onions, minced garlic, optional liquid smoke, and soda to the Slow Cooker. Use a knife to cut the ribs into chunks and place in with the cooking liquid.
- Step 3: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil while the broiler preheats. Once tender ribs are finished cooking, transfer ribs to the sheet and brush a layer of your favorite bbq sauce on top. Broil for a few minutes until charred
- Step 4: Remove from the oven and add an additional barbecue sauce layer to the ribs for the best flavor before enjoying.
Recipe Tips
- The best way to store any leftovers is to place ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can freeze ribs in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
- Serve your ribs with additional bbq sauce on the side if people want to add more they can.
- If you don't want to use the broiler, you can toss the ribs on the grill to give them some char on the top if desired.
- To help make clean up a breeze, you can use a Slow Cooker liner.
Recipe Faq's
Technically no, but removing the thin layer of membrane on the back allows the seasonings to flavor the meat and prevent the ribs from curling up during the cooking process. Here is an easy step-by-step guide for you.
Some popular options to serve with ribs include creamy coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, french fries, grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, or a fresh garden salad. These sides complement the rich and savory flavors of the tender, juicy rib meat, offering a variety of textures and flavors that make a mouthwatering meal.
If you're apprehensive to reheat your ribs because you don't want to dry them out, you can pop them in a roasting pan and cover with foil in the oven. Then reheat on a lower temperature. It can be helpful to add a splash of chicken broth to help keep them moist.
More Pork Recipes
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Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 pounds baby back pork ribs
- ½ of a white onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can Dr pepper
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the ribs on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel. On the back side of the ribs use a small knife and carefully loosen the layer of membrane. Then gently pull it off and discard it.
- Cut the ribs into two chunks and place into the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Add the onions, garlic, Dr Pepper and liquid smoke.
- Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 7-8 (all slow cooker cook slightly differently, so make sure they are fork tender)
- Preheat the broiler on high
- Remove the ribs to a foil lined baking sheet and brush a layer of bbq sauce on top. Place under the broiler and broil 3-5 minutes or until charred to your liking.
- Remove from the oven and serve with remaining bbq sauce.
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