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
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:
Sarah’s 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
Hazel says
Tried 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.
ENetria says
How much of the liquid smoke did you use?
Michael Gallagher says
Really 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
Yes, that should work fine. Keep the lid on the entire time.
Jackie says
Do you have to use Dr pepper can you u a different cola
A
Sarah Olson says
You can use whatever soda you like! Cola would be just as good I think.
Chauntelle says
I 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
That 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
I use a bottle of dark beer with the BBQ sauce and rub, and a cut up onion…yummy!
Sarah Olson says
great idea, I will try.
Kenni G. says
Made 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
That’s great! I love that did a rub on them too!
Roxanne says
What kind of Rub did you use
Kenni G. says
McCormick 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.
Diana Lopes says
I 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
I 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
Jody Riddell Hostetter says
would this recipe work with beef ribs also?
Sarah Olson says
Yes, I do think that it would work fine!
Stacey says
How did the beef runs turn out??
Debbi says
Would this work with St. Louis Style Ribs? Thank you!
Sarah Olson says
I don’t see why not!
Tania says
I 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
Yes, 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
Thank 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.
Julie says
Could I use Diet Dr. Pepper?
Sarah Olson says
I think it would do fine, I’ve seen many other people use diet soda in crock pot recipes with no problems.
Melba May says
How long would you cook a boston butt using this recipe?Weight 7 lbs.
Sarah Olson says
Hi 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.
Rene Fourie says
Hi 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
Did 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
I 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!