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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!
Featured Comment
Phenomenal ribs! Followed the recipe and method exactly. Will definitely keep this recipe on repeat!
– Nicole
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!
Ingredients for Dr. Pepper Ribs
Just a few ingredients to make fall of the bone ribs. Find the full ingredient amounts in the recipe card below the images.
- 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 barbecue sauce.
How to Make Dr. Pepper Ribs
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
These ribs are super easy to make, here is how to perfect them:
- 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)
My Serving Suggestions
Here is how I serve these ribs to my family and guests:
- 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.
Featured Comment
“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.”
– Brittani
Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
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
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
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 Beef Ribs and Slow Cooker Short Ribs are rich, tender, and perfect for a comforting, slow-cooked dinner.
Teriyaki Ribs offer a sweet and savory twist, glazed in a sticky sauce that’s packed with flavor.
If you like tangy, old-fashioned comfort food, Slow Cooker Ribs and Sauerkraut is a satisfying classic.
And when you’re craving barbecue, Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs deliver that smoky, fall-off-the-bone goodness with minimal effort.
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.
Yes, that should work fine. Keep the lid on the entire time.
Do you have to use Dr pepper can you u a different cola
A
You can use whatever soda you like! Cola would be just as good I think.
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!
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!
I use a bottle of dark beer with the BBQ sauce and rub, and a cut up onion…yummy!
great idea, I will try.
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!
That’s great! I love that did a rub on them too!
What kind of Rub did you use
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.
I never tried making ribs on a slow cooker before, but this really makes me wanna try it. Looking forward to the results 🙂
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
would this recipe work with beef ribs also?
Yes, I do think that it would work fine!
How did the beef runs turn out??
Would this work with St. Louis Style Ribs? Thank you!
I don’t see why not!
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.
Yes, you can leave out the liquid smoke, no problem. If it fits it will be fine, keep the lid on the entire time. 🙂
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.
Could I use Diet Dr. Pepper?
I think it would do fine, I’ve seen many other people use diet soda in crock pot recipes with no problems.
How long would you cook a boston butt using this recipe?Weight 7 lbs.
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.
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.
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.
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!