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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.
Would this work using chicken?
I don’t see why not
Oopps I left the slimey back on. Will they cook ok?
yes! Just be sure to remove before eating. I’ve done it before too.
I thought I helped keep I together when on the grill. After slow cooking for 10 hrs it melted into the meat. I put a layer of thin sliced onions on the bottom.
Can you use diet soda or does it need to be regula? Also are pork spare ribs the same as baby back ribs?
Excellent!
Loving your food.
Can you make these with pork chops, or would they dry out?
If I were to use pork chops I would only cook on low for 6 hours. They should work great.
It won’t dry out you are slow cooking it in liquid…
I’m diabetic, Can you use diet Doctor Pepper in this recipe? Thank You.
Yes! I’ve had other viewer do this and worked out great.
Can I use beef ribs to make this recipe?
Yes! Beef ribs are great in this recipe.
My wife suggested these when the recipe appeared on her Facebook on day. We agreed to have them the following Saturday since we planned to spend that day working in the yard. When we finished for the day and came in to cool off, get something to drink and have our showers, the smell was all over the house and it was still another hour before they were scheduled to be ready. Two quick showers, some quick prep time for side dishes later and we could barely contain ourselves. These were the best ribs we could remember eating. The next day we heat the remaining ribs in the microwave and had them for lunch with a baked potato, they were even better the second time around. Now we look for an excuse to serve them. Friends coming over for dinner, serve ribs! Family stopping by to visit, have ribs. Pot luck lunch at the office, have ribs. Don’t feel like cooking later this evening, have ribs. Nothing special to celebrate, .. you guessed it, RIBS! This works just as good with beef, pulled pork sandwiches or even chicken. This has lead up to us looking for other great Crock Pot meals. Who knew you could cook so many great meals in a Crock Pot. But, first you have to try the Dr. Pepper Ribs!
I just made these toady and they were delicious I will be making them again. Thank you for sharing your receipe looking forward to making more of your delicious food. Wife gave me 5 thumbs up for copying your instructions