Looking for a fun summer dinner? Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs take no time to add to the slow cooker and make for a great easy dinner.
If you haven’t done ribs in the crock pot, you need to put it on your dinner menu ASAP. I’ve done ribs with other cooking methods but for me, the cooking them in the crock pot is not only is the easiest but it also always cooks the ribs to perfection. This is one of those dump and go recipes with little prep!
How to cook ribs in the slow cooker:
- Low and Slow. The low setting is the best to ensure tender ribs
- Remove sinew from the back of ribs BEFORE cooking
- Keep the lid on the entire cooking time
- Add plenty of liquid (this recipe uses Dr. Pepper as the liquid)
You will need:
- Pork Baby Back Ribs, these are packed raw and usually weigh somewhere between 3-4 pounds.
- Dr. Pepper
- Barbecue sauce
- Hickory liquid smoke, this makes the ribs taste like they’ve been in the smoker all day
- Black pepper
- Garlic Powder
Dr. Pepper adds sweetness to the ribs, notice I did not add brown sugar to the recipe, I think that would have been too much sugar.
Time to cook!
The hardest (and grossest) thing about this recipe is removing the sinew from the back of the ribs. It’s a thin piece of tissue that you would think would break down with cooking, but it doesn’t all the way and is not good eats. This piece of tissue is easily removed by taking a knife and loosening an edge of it, then grab hold of that edge and rip it off, if you are lucky it will come off in one piece.
I made ribs for my entire extended family years ago in the oven, not only did I not cook them long enough to get tender, I left that piece on the back of the ribs. I’m really surprised my family let me cook at all for family functions after that.
Add the ribs to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the garlic powder and black pepper. Pour over the barbecue sauce, Dr. Pepper and liquid smoke.
Cook on LOW for 8 hours, do not open the lid while these cook. They will turn out moist and tender if you leave them be.
Serve these ribs with your favorite sides. My go to is mashed potatoes and a green salad, what is yours? Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
Equipment
- Slow Cooker Size: 5-quart or larger
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. rack baby back pork ribs (1 rack is usually about 3-4 pounds, any size that will fit in the slow cooker will work fine.
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. hickory liquid smoke
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rays)
- 12 oz. can Dr. Pepper
Instructions
- Remove the sinew from the ribs (it’s the white slimey thing on the rounded back part of the ribs.) I do this by lifting a edge of it up with a knife, then grabbing it with 2 fingers. If your lucky the entire things will come off in one pull.
- Cut the ribs in to 4 even sections, or in half. Doesn’t matter how you slice it.
- Add to the slow cooker
- Sprinkle over the pepper, garlic powder and add the liquid smoke.
- Drizzle over the barbecue sauce.
- Pour the Dr. Pepper in.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Serve with additional barbecue sauce if desired
Rene Fourie says
June 12, 2017 at 10:29 pmHi Sarah
We tried the Slow Cooker Louisiana ribs of yours last week. Also 8 hours. The basting was perfect, everything was fine, but the ribs. They were fairly tough still, we had to do another 4 hours on high the next day. The ribs you use – I am sure they are pre-cooked?
I am contemplating in cooking them for 4 hours in brine on high, then cooling and drying them, then do the spice overnight, and then continue your recipe.
Thank you for all the awesome recipes, you’re the reason I bought a slow cooker, I’ve tried so many recipes already.
Sarah Olson says
June 13, 2017 at 6:43 amDid you leave the slow cooker lid on the entire time? Or your slow cooker runs low. I use fresh raw ribs. I’m sorry that that rib recipe didn’t work for you, I hope you figure out how to make it work for your slow cooker.
Linda Lloyd says
August 31, 2017 at 8:33 amI cook ribs in my slow cooker at least 3 times a month. My ribs just fall apart after 6-7 hours. I also start with raw cold ribs. Perhaps there is something wrong with your crock pot. Maybe you could borrow someone else’s crockpot to see if you need a new one. Good luck!
Melba May says
June 13, 2017 at 11:30 amHow long would you cook a boston butt using this recipe?Weight 7 lbs.
Sarah Olson says
June 13, 2017 at 1:37 pmHi Melba. I would brown all sides of it in a skillet. Then add to the slow cooker and follow the directions. I would do 10 hours on low if it is a large butt.
Julie says
June 14, 2017 at 11:04 amCould I use Diet Dr. Pepper?
Sarah Olson says
June 14, 2017 at 6:31 pmI think it would do fine, I’ve seen many other people use diet soda in crock pot recipes with no problems.
Tania says
June 14, 2017 at 3:42 pmI found your recipe and the ribs look and sound delicious, my husband and daughter are big fans of baby back ribs. I’m going to use my slow cooker tomorrow to try them. I am allergic to liquid smoke, is it OK to leave it out and also do you think it’s OK to double up the recipe? The rib racks we bought were not huge so I though we should double it up, but if you think not we will just add one extra piece from the 2nd rack to the first rack.
Sarah Olson says
June 14, 2017 at 6:29 pmYes, you can leave out the liquid smoke, no problem. If it fits it will be fine, keep the lid on the entire time. 🙂
Tania says
June 15, 2017 at 10:31 amThank you Sarah, I put my baby back ribs in the crock pot last night so my husband could have them today before he goes to bed, he works nights. He came in this morning just as I was pulling the lid off the crockpot and had to try one right away, as did my daughter. YUM they were perfect. I used raw fresh baby back ribs, the spices, bbq sauce and Dr. Pepper as you suggested (no liquid smoke) and set them to low for overnight about 8 hours then they went on to keep warm. I may never cook ribs any other way. Everyone should try this recipe if they haven’t already, they are the bomb. I have actually saved this recipe now twice to my Facebook page and told everyone I know to try them. Thank you again for an amazing “go to” easy, recipe.
Debbi says
June 17, 2017 at 5:00 pmWould this work with St. Louis Style Ribs? Thank you!
Sarah Olson says
June 18, 2017 at 7:21 amI don’t see why not!
Jody Riddell Hostetter says
June 18, 2017 at 8:14 pmwould this recipe work with beef ribs also?
Sarah Olson says
June 18, 2017 at 8:30 pmYes, I do think that it would work fine!
Stacey says
November 4, 2017 at 10:49 amHow did the beef runs turn out??
Diana Lopes says
June 22, 2017 at 6:30 amI never tried making ribs on a slow cooker before, but this really makes me wanna try it. Looking forward to the results 🙂
Pete (female) says
May 28, 2019 at 3:26 pmI have not tried this recipe but I also do ribs in crock pot and are delicious I usually do a ribs then when done put on sauce and place under broiler until caramelized. I am going to try this one tho, sounds good
Kenni G. says
June 26, 2017 at 9:11 amMade these yesterday and they were delicious! We added our favorite rub and marinated the ribs in the fridge overnight and followed the cooking directions exactly! Thank you for another tasty and easy recipe! This one is definitely a keeper!
Sarah Olson says
June 26, 2017 at 1:03 pmThat’s great! I love that did a rub on them too!
Roxanne says
July 16, 2017 at 4:51 pmWhat kind of Rub did you use
Kenni G. says
January 5, 2018 at 8:14 amMcCormick Grill Mates Sweet & Smoky rub. It’s in a small container, maybe 4 oz. Our local Walmart carries it. I use it in another slow cooker recipe and you can be pretty heavy handed with it.
Jackie says
July 15, 2017 at 6:51 amDo you have to use Dr pepper can you u a different cola
A
Sarah Olson says
July 15, 2017 at 8:32 amYou can use whatever soda you like! Cola would be just as good I think.
Chauntelle says
September 28, 2017 at 5:43 amI cook frozen boneless pork chops in my crockpot with this same type recipe.Instead of cola I use REDS Apple Ale and bbq sauce with seasonings and OMG they are amazing, I can’t wait to try this with Dr. Pepper!
Michelle Forbes says
October 9, 2018 at 7:24 amThat sounds amazing Chauntelle… Thx for the tip! Hadn’t thought of that but I love REDS and other apple ales. I also use apple cider vinegar almost exclusively in my BBQ cooking. So I’m going to have to try that!
Anonymous says
January 28, 2019 at 3:17 pmI use a bottle of dark beer with the BBQ sauce and rub, and a cut up onion…yummy!
Sarah Olson says
January 29, 2019 at 8:09 pmgreat idea, I will try.
Michael Gallagher says
July 16, 2017 at 11:03 amReally want to try this, my wife loves dr pepper. But 8hrs is a long time for my household.. can i cook part of time on high mayne then finish on low? Im not a very skilled cook yet lol.
Sarah Olson says
July 17, 2017 at 5:09 amYes, that should work fine. Keep the lid on the entire time.
ENetria says
July 17, 2017 at 10:17 amHow much of the liquid smoke did you use?
Hazel says
July 20, 2017 at 8:39 amTried it yesterday but the ribs turned out like they were boiled in Dr Pepper. I did something wrong don’t know what will try again.
Brenda says
August 2, 2017 at 9:27 amCan I cook them on high for 4 hours instead of low for 8 hours?
Sarah Olson says
August 3, 2017 at 7:21 amIt may be ok. Usually for pork or roasts, low and slow is the way to go.
Lucy says
August 28, 2017 at 3:52 amI just tried out your recipe and it worked really delicious ribs. Fall off the bone tender and with great flavor! I didn’t use baby back ribs because I’m in China and I just took any pork ribs that they had! I also didn’t use liquid smoke because….I can’t find that in China. Thanks for the recipe!
Sarah Olson says
August 28, 2017 at 8:37 amGlad the recipe worked for you Lucy!
Raquel Fry says
October 1, 2017 at 7:17 pmCan they stay on low longer than 8 hours? Or can I cook them on low 8 hours then keep them on warm for 2 hours. I want to start these when I leave the house in the morning but I dont get home until 10 hours later. However, I could have my son turn them on low when he gets home from school or just keep cooking them until I get home?? Thanks in advance! I need to invest in a fancy cooker. 🙂
Natatie says
November 27, 2017 at 4:41 pmI made these ribs using baby backs today and it couldn’t have been easier, the ribs were the best I’ve ever made in my slow cooker and I’ve made ribs before in it. I low cooked them for 8 hours exactly and followed the recipe to the letter, except I used diet Dr.Pepper. When they were ready, I couldn’t even pick them out of the cooker to eat them b/c they were so tender, just falling off their bones. These were so flavorful, like restaurant quality, I highly recommend this recipe and will make them again soon… fantastic!
Tim says
January 13, 2018 at 12:03 pmWill cooking them for 10 instead of 8 hours change anything? Someone above said that 8 didnt work for them. I can do 10 just to be sure but dont want to screw it up.
Trying this tomorrow. Thanks!
Redwing trudogg says
February 18, 2018 at 12:44 pmHi,thx i made st Louis style and they were done in 6 hrs on low .really good .I normally use my smoker but it is just to windy today ..i will be making these again …
Have you seen Video DJ says
February 19, 2018 at 3:02 pmThese ribs are Phenomenal entire family loved them. Followed the recipe exactly as stated.
Dawn Ventriglia says
April 8, 2018 at 8:04 amcan you use boneless ribs, like country style?
Sarah Olson says
April 8, 2018 at 8:39 amYes! I think those would be great. I usually do country style for 6-7 hours on low.
Hannah Russell says
April 11, 2018 at 3:23 amI really want to try this but im out of the house for 10-12hrs at work. Would your recepies be okay on low for 10hrs then keep warm for 2? Thanks in advance
Sarah Olson says
April 11, 2018 at 9:42 amI think anything really saucy would do fine! Like soups and roasts come to mind. I used to be gone 10 hours too and always used the warm setting for 2 hours, most things do well!
Theresa Maxwell Holland says
May 31, 2018 at 5:21 amTried these ribs last night they were wonderful and fall off the bone tender.
Madison says
June 20, 2018 at 2:44 pmCan you make this with chicken?
Willy says
August 10, 2018 at 2:24 pmThese were great! I did about 7.5-8 hours on low and then transferred to a foil lined baking sheet, basted with more bbq sauce, then in the oven at 400 for about 10 minutes. I left out the liquid smoke and added a few dashes of Worsterchire sauce. I would also recommend a good bbq sauce. the $1 bottles are not worth the time! If you can’t make your own, spend a few extra dollars and get a quality sauce. It makes a big difference in the slower cooker I find.
She says
October 27, 2018 at 10:27 amCan I cook this on high?
Sarah Olson says
October 29, 2018 at 6:06 amYes, it will work fine.
Charles says
January 12, 2019 at 1:11 pmDo the ribs have to completely covered with liquid? The video it looks like they are not and want to make sure. Look forward trying this recipe.
Sarah Olson says
January 12, 2019 at 6:10 pmIt will be fine not completely covered. The slow cooker keeps in the moisture.
paula says
April 24, 2019 at 1:35 pmCan I make this in a roaster so that I can make a larger amount? My crockpot wouldn’t be big enough.
Sarah Olson says
April 24, 2019 at 3:01 pmIf you have experience cooking in a roaster, I don’t see why not!