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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.
can you use boneless ribs, like country style?
Yes! I think those would be great. I usually do country style for 6-7 hours on low.
These ribs are Phenomenal entire family loved them. Followed the recipe exactly as stated.
Hi,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 …
Will 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!
I 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!
Can 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. 🙂
I 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!
Glad the recipe worked for you Lucy!
Can I cook them on high for 4 hours instead of low for 8 hours?
It may be ok. Usually for pork or roasts, low and slow is the way to go.
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.
How much of the liquid smoke did you use?