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Sections of crockpot baby back ribs slathered with barbecue sauce on a white plate.

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs

These 4-ingredient slow cooker Dr Pepper ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, finished with your favorite BBQ sauce, and caramelized on the grill or under the broiler.
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Author Kori
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Slow Cooker Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 527 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Ribs

Optional homemade pork rub

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • If making the homemade pork rub, stir all of the rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs, if needed. Rub both sides generously with your favorite pork rub.
    Sprinkling pork rub on baby back ribs before adding to the crockpot.
  • Pour the Dr Pepper into the bottom of the slow cooker, then stand the rack of ribs upright around the inside edge of the slow cooker with the meaty side facing outward.
    Crockpot Dr Pepper ribs laying in slow cooker with Dr Pepper.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3½ to 4 hours, until the ribs are fork-tender. Carefully cut the ribs into 2 or 3 rib sections, then transfer the ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet and brush generously with barbecue sauce.
    Crockpot Dr Pepper ribs cooking in a slow cooker then brushing with BBQ sauce on a sheet pan.
  • Grill over medium-high heat for 3 to 5 minutes until lightly charred and the sauce is caramelized. Alternatively, broil for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
    Broiling the crockpot Dr Pepper ribs after slow cooking.

Notes

For more helpful hints, substitution ideas, slow cooking tips, and other delicious recipe ideas, check out my post above.
CROCKPOT COOKING TIPS: Every slow cooker heats a little differently, so cooking times can vary. Once you know how your crock pot runs (hotter or cooler), you can adjust as needed.
RECIPE TIPS: For less mess use a slow cooker liner. Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes before serving. Standing the ribs upright helps them cook more evenly. Handle the ribs carefully when removing them from the slow cooker since they'll be very tender.
VARIATIONS: Use your favorite sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy barbecue sauce to customize the flavor. St. Louis-style ribs can be substituted but may need an additional 30 to 60 minutes of cooking time on LOW.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with creamy coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, or corn on the cob.

Nutrition

Calories: 527kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 28gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 2052mgPotassium: 592mgFiber: 2gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 1182IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 2mg
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