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Close up of crock pot Dr. Pepper ribs on a wood cutting board.

Crock Pot Dr. Pepper Ribs

Author: Ryan Allen
If you're looking for tender and flavorful pork ribs with little effort, then this easy recipe for Crock Pot Dr. Pepper Ribs is the way to go! The combination of savory spices, sweet barbecue sauce, and Dr. Pepper makes for a main dish that is tender, flavorful, and perfect for serving with your favorite side dishes!
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 711 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 lbs baby back ribs (1 rack of ribs is equal to about 3-4 pounds)
  • tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 12 oz Dr. Pepper (reserve ¼ cup for the sauce at the end.
  • cups bbq sauce (divided in half - I like to use sweet baby rays)

Instructions
 

  • Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs. Then pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Make the dry rub by adding paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and ground mustard to a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
  • Cut the ribs in half and generously coat both sides with the prepared dry rub. Then cover the ribs with ¾ cup of barbecue sauce and add them to the crock pot.
  • Reserve ¼ cup of Dr. Pepper. Then, pour the remaining Dr. Pepper into the bottom of the crock pot, making sure not to wash the seasonings off the ribs.
  • Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
  • Mix ¾ cup of bbq sauce in a medium bowl and add ¼ cup of reserved Dr. Pepper. Mix until well combined.
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Then gently remove the ribs and place them on the baking sheet. Then coat the top of the ribs with the Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce.
  • Broil for 3-5 minutes until the barbecue sauce thickens and bubbles.

Notes

  • If you cook the ribs for 7-8 hours on low, they will become incredibly tender and may even fall off the bone. However, to avoid them becoming mushy, it's essential to ensure that the ribs' internal temperature doesn't exceed 205 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the meat remains juicy and retains its texture while still being tender enough to pull away from the bone easily.
  • If you desire tender ribs that still have some firmness, it is recommended to decrease the cooking time to 5-6 hours on low or until the ribs reach an internal temperature of 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the ribs are cooked thoroughly while retaining their texture.
  • This recipe can be easily doubled to cook two racks of ribs in the crock pot. To do so, simply double all the ingredients except for the amount of Dr. Pepper that you pour into the slow cooker. The cooking and broiling time will remain the same for both racks of ribs, so you can enjoy double the deliciousness!
  • Although this recipe calls for Dr. Pepper, you can definitely experiment with other carbonated drinks such as Coca-Cola, Root Beer, or even diet Dr. Pepper to achieve a tender and juicy rack of crockpot ribs. The carbonation in these drinks can help to tenderize the meat and add some additional flavor. So feel free to try different sodas and see which one you prefer in your slow-cooked ribs!
  • This recipe can also be used with beef ribs, and nothing needs to be changed about the recipe or cooking process. The slow-cooking method will work well to make beef ribs tender and flavorful. You can also use boneless country-style ribs, which are another great option for this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness and size of the ribs you are using.

Nutrition

Calories: 711kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 42gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 1889mgPotassium: 810mgFiber: 1gSugar: 45gVitamin A: 399IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 108mgIron: 2mg

*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.

Keyword Crock Pot Dr. Pepper Ribs
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