Description
Dr Pepper Ribs are slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone tender pork ribs glazed with a sweet, tangy sauce made from Dr Pepper and barbecue sauce. Finished under the broiler or on the grill, they’re sticky, smoky, and irresistibly delicious—perfect for cookouts, game days, or family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 racks pork baby back ribs (or St. Louis-style ribs)
- 3 cups Dr Pepper
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder for heat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs for maximum tenderness.
- Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Rub evenly over the ribs.
- Place ribs in a large baking dish or roasting pan. Pour Dr Pepper over them until partially submerged.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, until ribs are tender and nearly falling off the bone.
- Remove ribs from the liquid and place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Mix barbecue sauce with 1/4 cup Dr Pepper. Brush generously over ribs.
- Broil 5–7 minutes or grill a few minutes per side until caramelized and sticky.
- Rest a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra tang, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or Worcestershire sauce to the glaze.
- Use cherry Dr Pepper for a fruitier variation.
- This recipe also works great in a slow cooker (6–7 hours on low).
- Finish under the broiler or grill for the best caramelized texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 rack
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
