Dr Pepper Ribs

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Tender, sticky, and perfectly glazed — slow-cooked then finished in the oven (or on the grill).

Ingredients

  • 3–4 lbs country-style pork ribs

  • 2 cans (12 oz each) Dr Pepper, divided

  • 1 ½ cups smoky & tangy BBQ sauce

  • 1 tsp liquid smoke

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Slow Cook the Ribs

  • Place ribs in a slow cooker.

  • Pour in 1 can of Dr Pepper.

  • Cover and cook:

    • Low: 7 hours

    • High: 4 hours

  • Ribs should be tender and nearly falling apart.

2. Prepare for Glazing

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

  • Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.

3. Make the Glaze

  • In a bowl, combine:

    • BBQ sauce

    • Liquid smoke

    • Garlic powder

    • Black pepper

    • Remaining can of Dr Pepper

  • Mix until smooth.

4. Glaze & Bake

  • Transfer ribs from slow cooker to the prepared rack.

  • Brush generously with glaze.

  • Bake 15 minutes, flip, glaze again, bake another 15 minutes until sticky and caramelized.

5. Serve

  • Serve hot with extra sauce on the side.

Notes & Tips

  • For extra heat: add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder to the sauce.

  • For more sweetness: drizzle in honey before baking.

  • For smoky flavor: finish ribs on a hot grill instead of in the oven for charred edges.

If you want, I can also give you a slow cooker + grill hybrid version of this recipe so you get maximum tenderness and smoky flavor. Would you like me to add that variation?

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