Flavorful, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs are what you’ll get with these slow cooker Dr. Pepper ribs. No dry rub is necessary, and prep time doesn’t get any easier than this, thanks to the recipe only calling for six ingredients.
Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner option or something to bring along to a weekend game day gathering, this easy recipe is a great idea for any time!
Why this recipe works
If you haven’t done ribs in the crockpot, you need to put it on your dinner menu ASAP. I’ve done ribs with other cooking methods, but for me, cooking them in the crock pot is not only the easiest, but it also always cooks the ribs to perfection. This is one of that dump and go recipes with little prep!
Not to mention, using the slow cooker takes the guesswork out of cooking a style and cut of meat like ribs, meaning you don’t have to give it much thought. And trust me when I say this is a recipe the entire family will enjoy – even the kiddos. This will be a great recipe to keep on hand.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pork Baby Back Ribs – these are packed raw and usually weigh somewhere between 3-4 pounds.
- Dr. Pepper – Dr. Pepper soda adds sweetness to the bbq ribs; notice I did not add brown sugar to the recipe; I think that would have been too much sugar.
- Barbecue sauce – adds a great flavor to the overall dish.
- Hickory liquid smoke – this makes the ribs taste like they’ve been in the smoker all day.
- Seasonings – garlic powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce add the perfect flavor combination to the soda and barbeque sauce.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – 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 ripping it off; if you are lucky, it will come off in one piece.
Step Two – Place the ribs into the crock pot. Sprinkle over the garlic powder and black pepper. Add the liquid smoke and barbecue sauce over the ribs.
Step Three – Pour over the Dr. Pepper.
Step Four – Cook ribs 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 hot, and enjoy!
Tips for the best ribs
- Low and Slow. Cooking low and slow 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)
How to serve:
- As-is: Of course, you can’t go wrong serving these Dr. Pepper ribs as is, but be sure to have some napkins close by.
- Light sides: serving these bbq ribs with a light side such as a side salad will help keep the overall meal light and healthy. Other salad side options to consider are pasta salad, potato salad, or a broccoli salad.
- Southern-style: if you want to turn these pork ribs into a Southern meal, pair them with a nice helping of mashed potatoes and cole slaw.
- Bread: keep a pan (or plate) of rolls, cornbread, or sliced bread nearby for sopping up the yummy juices.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely. This is an easy substitution, and nothing about the recipe or cooking needs to change. You can also use boneless country style pork ribs.
You can’t go wrong with Sweet Baby Rays; however, you can always use your favorite bbq sauce. Keep in mind the flavor of the barbeque sauce you use will have an effect on the overall flavor.
Put any remaining ribs in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating them, add a bit of water to a baking sheet and bake on a low temp for absolutely perfect leftover ribs.
While this recipe calls for Dr. Pepper, you can also use Coca-Cola, Root Beer, or even diet Dr. Pepper. Carbonation of any drink will help make crockpot ribs tender and juicy, especially when they are slow-cooked.
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Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
Equipment Needed:
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.
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 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
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Other rib recipes for the slow cooker:
- Slow Cooker Beer and Onion Beef Ribs
- Slow Cooker County Style Pork Ribs with Bell Peppers and Onions
- Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs in Tomato Gravy
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs
- Slow Cooker Pork Ribs, Potatoes and Sauerkraut
- Slow Cooker Louisiana Ribs {Cajun Style}
- Slow Cooker Pork Buffalo Style Ribs
- Slow Cooker Classic Baby Back Ribs
I have been making ribs like this for several years and it is a fool-proof way to get fall off the bone ribs!(difficult to take out of the crock pot without falling apart in pieces!) However I don’t use liquid smoke (personally don’t like the flavor) and I also line a broiling pan with foil and spread extra bbq sauce on and put under broiler until bubbly!
Easy to prep and tastes great you would simply have to work at it to mess them up!!!
If cooking only one slab of babybacks will I need to reduce the cook time?
This recipe is one full slab, it’s just cut in half. If you are cooking a very small amount you can cut the time down by an hour.
Can this be made in an instant pot? If yes, what do you recommend for cook time?
I have not tested, I apologize.
I use my instant pot. 8 hours slow cook on the low setting, then I baste with bbq sauce and bake at 400 for 10 minutes
Having looked at the recipe & watched the video, is liquid smoke actually Worcestershire sauce. Also what would be a great side dish to go with the ribs
I fixed it, you should add liquid smoke. Though I LOVE Worcestershire in this recipe and if you didn’t have liquid smoke you can use it.
At the beginning of the recipients it called for Worcestershire sauce but never again mentioned that but in stead said liquid smoke. Confused
It is liquid smoke; I fixed it. Thank you.
Gonna try it soon
What about high cook and hour??
I would try 4 hours on high.
Hi there, these were WONDERFUL. Followed the recipe to a T, but I broiled mine for a few minutes in the end for some crispness. Will definitely be saving for future use.
Can I use beef ribs with this recipe?
Yes, beef works well in this recipe.
can you use diet dr pepper?
Yes, that will work fine!
Just did this recipe with pork spare ribs and used cherry dr pepper and the results were quite delicious
The ribs were so nice & tender the Dr.pepper had such a good taste with the ribs . I’ll be making them again !
Can you use beef ribs?
Is liquid smoke crucial to the outcome? I don’t have any but could use smoked paprika maybe??
I think that will work fine.