Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs
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These Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs aren’t just delicious – they’re a viral sensation! With over 300,000 shares, this 3-ingredient wonder is about to revolutionize your BBQ game.
Country Style Pork Ribs are slow-cooked in Dr. Pepper, then baked or grilled to caramelize the Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. This recipe is quick and easy for anyone to enjoy!
I am what you would call a fair-weather winter person. Growing up in the Midwest, it doesn’t seem right not to have snow on the ground at Christmastime, but by the time mid-January hits, I am tired of the dreary grey skies and the cold and the white stuff that has now turned a not so pretty white. I long for long summer days with sunshine and patio sitting and grilling. These Dr. Pepper Ribs make it possible to enjoy barbecue any time of the year.
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
The first time I made this recipe, my son was home from college and I was trying to make all of his favorites before he returned to school. He loves barbecue, and I had some boneless country-style pork ribs in the freezer, so I defrosted them and decided to wing it.
I typically boil my ribs in beer before I grill them. But when the snow is flying in January, that isn’t an option, so I thought, let’s try the slow cooker instead. I tossed the ribs in my slow cooker, dumped a can of Dr. Pepper over the top, and let the crock pot work its magic.
Easy Dr. Pepper Pork Ribs
After they cooked slowly all day, becoming so tender I could barely move them to my baking rack, I knew they would be awesome. I transferred them to a rack over a cookie sheet and brushed them with BBQ sauce and more Dr. Pepper. I baked them to caramelize the sauce, flipping them once and adding more sauce.
ingredients in Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card.
- Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs – I typically purchase boneless country-style pork ribs for this recipe, but bone-in work great, too!
- Dr. Pepper Soda – I use regular Dr. Pepper, but I have used Cherry and it’s yummy too. It’s okay to use the Diet version if that is what you have.
- Barbecue Sauce – Use your favorite or make your own homemade barbecue sauce.
How to Make Crock Pot Dr. Pepper Ribs
The crock pot does most of the work, making them tender as they slow cook, then you bake them to caramelize the sauce on them before you eat them. You can also do this step on the grill if you prefer.
Place the ribs in your slow cooker.
Pour a can of Dr. Pepper over the top.
Put the lid on, and cook them on low all day, or you can cook them on high for half the time.
They will be fall-apart tender. Carefully transfer the ribs to a rack over a cookie sheet.
Combine BBQ sauce with Dr. Pepper soda.
Brush tops with sauce.
Bake and then flip them over and brush the other side. Bake once more.
Serve with extra sauce on the table.
Leftover ribs will keep in the fridge for about 3 days in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
I also love to make extra and shred them up for sandwiches for another meal. Or try my Crock Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ Sandwich recipe!
Love it? Pin it!
If you love this easy BBQ Rib recipe make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!
What to Serve with Dr. Pepper Ribs
I like to serve them with Cheesy Hash brown Casserole, Sweet Corn, and Cornbread Drop Biscuits. It’s also delicious with Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, and Corn Pie Casserole!
FAQs About Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
Over the years, here are some of the most asked questions.
- Can I use Diet Dr. Pepper instead? Yes – it will work fine!
- Can I use bone-in pork ribs? Bone-in or boneless pork ribs work great. I have had a reader use baby back also.
- Can I substitute Cola for Dr. Pepper? Yes – use what you like. I have used root beer with success too.
- Can I use beef ribs instead? You sure can. I have always preferred pork ribs though, as they have so much more meat.
- Won’t baking them dry them out? Once the ribs are tender in the crock pot, move them to the rack. As long as they aren’t overcooked in the slow cooker you will be fine. If the ribs are smaller in size, or really thin, reduce the cooking time to 7 minutes per side. Use your judgment. The oven (or grill) only caramelizes the sauce to the outside, the ribs are already cooked inside.
- Can I make a smaller amount and if so, do I need to reduce the amount of Dr. Pepper and cooking time? Make as many as you like, and cover them with Dr. Pepper, but you don’t want them swimming in it. The cooking time should be about the same.
Years of Rave Reviews
This recipe has hundreds of comments and has received rave reviews for years. Here are a couple that I wanted to share with you.
- Brandy says: “Had this for supper tonight. It’s just as good as it looks! Fall apart tender and the sauce made it absolutely amazing! We had it with baked potatoes that I put in another crockpot and let cook on low all day. I love fixing meals in the crockpot. It’s so easy, especially nice when working long days. Thanks for sharing!”
- From Alicia: “This quick, no-stress process produced the most AMAZING tastiest ribs ever!!! Thank you!!!”
- May Says: “I found this recipe on Pinterest and omg is it fall off the bone good! I followed the recipe exactly as written and I wouldn’t change a thing!!”
More BBQ Recipes to Love
If you love this recipe and don’t want to wait all day, try making it in the Instant Pot. These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tenders are done in no time, too. You’re sure to love these sandwiches too: BBQ Smoked Sausage Sandwiches and Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches (crock pot recipe.)
I hope that this recipe rocks your world like it has for so many others! If you love it like we all do, I would love to hear. Thank you for the comments and the 5-star ratings on this recipe!
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4.5 pounds boneless country style pork ribs
- 2 cans Dr. Pepper soda divided
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce your favorite, we love our Sweet Baby Ray’s!
Instructions
- Place ribs in the bottom of your slow cooker, pour 1 can of soda over them. Cover and slow cook for 7 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with foil then place a wire rack over the top.
- Combine 3/4 cup BBQ sauce with 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper soda.
- Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker, placing on rack. Brush tops with sauce. Bake for 15 minutes, flip and brush other side. Bake 15 minutes more.
- Serve remaining sauce at the table.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on January 8, 2016. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on June 26, 2024.
Hi Michela —
I am a recently widowed single grandfather and I made these ribs… VERY good (and I haven’t cooked in over 20 years!). One thind I did differently though was since I was eating an orange while I was cooking, I threw the orange peel in the slow cooker along with the meat. Quite good and the orange peel added some color to the dish after I got through baking the bbs sauce on the ribs… served it with asparagus…. my problem was that I didn’t make enough… I only used about 1 1/2 pounds of ribs for myself and a 13 year old grandson. Looked REALLY yummy when I put it all together with the orange peel on top of the ribs and surrounded by the asparagus.
Thank you for posting this recipe. My wife was a great cook (as testified by my waistline) but even she never made this.
Harold – you just melted my heart with your comment. Thank you for taking the time to let me know that you and your grandson liked the recipe. I think the addition of the orange was pure brilliance! I am trying that next time. I bet it did make for a pretty presentation! Next time you’ll have to double the amount of ribs, right? 😉 I am sure your wife was smiling down on you two while you enjoyed them. Michaela
These are the Best Ribs! Second time we have made them! Thank you!
Becky – Thank you so much for telling me you loved them!! I hope they are a longtime favorite!
I found this recipe on Pinterest and omg is it fall off the bone good! I followed the recipe exactly as written and I wouldn’t change a thing!!
So happy you enjoyed them, May!
Hi! These look wonderful! One question. I’d like to double the recipe. Is it ok to layer the ribs then? Thx for your reply!
In your crock pot, yes!! Just make sure they are in a single layer when you bake them!
I am in LOVE with this recipe!!! I left them in the crock pot while I was at work and baked them when I got home!! Super easy and oh so delicious!!!!!
Bake at what temp?
I had to double check it was in the step-by-step recipe here, and it is. Whew! 400 degrees!
Can I use root beer instead of dr pepper ?
Yes!! It works great!!
Can you use diet dr pepper? I’m a diabetic. Is there another option for the soda?
Sure you can!! Root beer works too!
These look so delicious! I can’t believe you can use Dr. Pepper like that.
Would love to try this recipe. Can it be halved and if so, do I use only 1 can of Dr. Pepper?
Sure you can halve it – basically it almost covers them in the pot.
OMG!!!! I Just tried it today. My ribs didn’t make it to the cookie sheet. Not a bad thing, let me tell you. I tried it with Cherry Dr. Pepper and I put 2 Vidalia onions in along with it. I put the barbecue sauce in with the juices that was created from the slow cooker. And I’m just eating it like this. So yummy!!
So happy that you enjoyed them, Deb!!
What if I don’t have a wire rack?
You can do it without, just more cleanup.
Hi! I’m planning on doing this on the weekend for my hubby… quick question, what about salt and pepper? Don’t you need to add that first?
I have never used any. They are fine without it, but if you’d like to add some, I think it’s all a matter of taste. I wouldn’t get too carried away with salt though! 😉
Hi !
Can I season the ribs before adding the soda ? Will the seasoning mess up the taste ?
I never have seasoned them. I know some have — I can’t imagine it will mess anything up, but it may alter the flavor. Maybe try to make them without the first time and decide if you tastebuds think they need a little something?
Great idea for a recipe, can you replace the dr pepper with coke?
You sure can!
Fantastic recipe! Last weekend at BBQ party, I tried out your recipe as it can be prepared so quickly. Everyone there loved the recipe and appreciated me for the recipe. It was really super yummy. Thanks much for sharing!
I am so happy that you enjoyed them!
What can you do instead if you don’t have a wire rack?
Line the pan with foil. That should be okay, too!
Hi! I loved this recipe, however after I put them in the oven, they seemed to be over cooked. I’m not sure what I did wrong.
I’m not sure? Did you have the same amount of ribs? Maybe they were thinner? The oven part is only to glaze the BBQ sauce on them, maybe next time shorten that time?
Can I cook them in crock pot without having to put in oven?
When you place them in the oven or on the grill you are basically just caramelizing the BBQ sauce on them before you serve them. When they come out of the crock pot, they are already cooked, but won’t have that BBQ sauce look to them. I guess if that doesn’t bother you, you could just serve them with BBQ sauce?
Has anyone made these in an Instant Pot, so they’d be done faster??
I have a recipe for the Instant Pot, too! https://anaffairfromtheheart.com/instant-pot-dr-pepper-bbq-pork-ribs/