Slow Cooked Dr Pepper Baby Back Ribs cook low and slow until flavorful and fall apart tender. Finish them in the oven to char the sauce for the ultimate slow cooker meal.
Slow Cooked Dr Pepper Baby Back Ribs
Something magical happens when you cook barbecue low and slow. Smoking is of course, the gold standard. For those who don't have a smoker, using a slow cooker is a terrific option for low and slow cooking. Slow cooking the baby back ribs not only simplifies preparation but it also turns the ribs into fall apart deliciousness.
Helpful Tips for Making Dr Pepper Barbecue Ribs in a Slow Cooker
- Liberally season the ribs with a dry rub then carefully place into the slow cooker. Turn it on low then forget about them.
- After slow cooking, you can char them on the grill or using the broiler in your oven.
- Slather with a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce then treat your friends and family to a barbecue fest at your own kitchen table.
- See my recipe for making your own Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce and Chipotle Peach Grillin' Sauce to finish the meal.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours or until fork tender. The ribs will become very tender, so, handle carefully. Remove to a pan and cool uncovered.
- After cooling, cover with plastic wrap and chill, if making in advance.
Other Ways to Add Tender Ribs to the Menu
- Braised Mexican Style Pork Ribs
- Slow Cooked Country Ribs and Barbecue Beans
- Saucy Baby Back Ribs
- Slow Cooked Braised Beef Ribs
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
- 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
- Onion/Vegetable Chopper
- Serving Set
- Insulated Slow Cooker Travel Case and Carrier
Slow Cooked Dr Pepper Baby Back Ribs
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 690kcal
Ingredients
- 2 6 lb racks baby back ribs
- 2 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
- 1 cup Dr Pepper
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 3 cup Dr Pepper barbecue sauce or your favorite
- Dry rub:
- 4 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon coarse sea salt
- 2 teaspoon each ground chipotle pepper Spanish paprika, dark chili powder
- 2 teaspoon each cumin lemon pepper, oregano, granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon each garlic powder onion powder, black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the baby back ribs. Use s paper towel to grab and remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. T
- Drizzle on both sides with olive oil and rub generously with the dry rub.
- Spray the inside of a 6 quart oval slow cooker or similar with cooking spray. Arrange 1 rack of ribs along the wall of the slow cooker insert.
- Arrange the second rack of ribs on the interior of the slow cooker.
- Mix together the Dr Pepper and liquid smoke and carefully drizzle over the ribs. Make sure the lid covers snugly.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours or until fork tender. The ribs will become very tender, so, handle carefully.
- Remove to a pan and cool uncovered.
- After cooling, cover with plastic wrap and chill if making in advance.
- To broil: Move the oven rack to the highest position and set on broil. Spritz a baking sheet liberally with cooking spray. Brush one side of the ribs with bbq sauce. Broil for approximately 4-5 minutes per side or until charred. Repeat with the other side. Rest uncovered for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- To grill: Preheat the grill to medium. Liberally oil the grates. Brush one side of the ribs with bbq sauce and grill until charred, approximately 4-6 minutes per side. Repeat on the opposite side. Rest uncovered for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Shortcut dry rub: Applewood Rub by McCormick's, Smokehouse Maple or Barbecue Magic OR any of your favorite dry rub combinations..
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 690kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 3623mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 313IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
slivings
When do you add the bbq sauce?
Melissa
From the recipe after slow cooking:
To broil: Move the oven rack to the highest position and set on broil. Spritz a baking sheet liberally with cooking spray. Brush one side of the ribs with bbq sauce. Broil for approximately 4-5 minutes per side or until charred. Repeat with the other side. Rest uncovered for 5-10 minutes before serving.
To grill: Preheat the grill to medium. Liberally oil the grates. Brush one side of the ribs with bbq sauce and grill until charred, approximately 4-6 minutes per side. Repeat on the opposite side. Rest uncovered for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Brigham
Makng this tecipe tonight for the fam, they are so delicious I never prepare baby backs any other way, and for me a huge plus is I dont come inside smelling like pecan or mesquite pit smoke.
The time is all magic because of the slow cooker which is a GODSEND if you ask me!! Lol
Thanks Melissa
Bon apetite
Melissa
I love these, too, so happy you enjoyed them!
Robin Frank
I found your blog googling crockpot rib recipes and made these yesterday. They were SO good! My family loved them so much I shared the recipe on Facebook. Expect a "few" more hits on your page!
Melissa
Hi Robin, so happy you enjoyed these. Thank you!
Melissa
Hi Linda, they're wonderful for busy days, which I know you have, and prepare a meal for you while you're at work. You must get one friend! xxxx
Linda
Hi Melissa- I think you know that I don't have a slow cooker, but this past week while visiting my daughter I experimented with hers. Oh my, what a great new experience. I'll be purchasing one soon and will definately give this recipe and so many of your other (slow cooker} ones a try. This looks delish and can't wait to start experimenting. Thanks as always for your inspiration!