BBQ Baby Back Ribs

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These BBQ Baby Back Ribs (marinated in Dr. Pepper - whaaaaat) are the most tender delish ribs of all times! The sugar from the soda ever so slightly tenderizes the meat and makes it extra delicious when it's time to eat! These can be the star at your next BBQ, with some corn salad and caprese salad as the perfect sides!

A dinner party spread with BBQ Baby Back Ribs, BBQ Corn Salad, an easy Slaw Salad and Caprese!


 

Why I Love This Recipe

BBQ Baby Back Ribs!! They are quintessential summer food. These are slowly cooked for a few hours in the oven and then finished off on the grill so by the time you take a bite, the meat is FALLING OFF THE BONE. They are also doused with this homemade Dr. Pepper spiked BBQ sauce that will make you weak in the knees. It's not overly sweet if that's what you're thinking - just pure perfection! The BBQ Baby Back Ribs get a little bath in the soda before you start cooking them too! If that sounds weird - I get it! But the soda helps break down the ribs and tenderize them so they are even easier to eat! It's an all around winner and you'll be loved by all if you add these to your next ribs dinner party menu!

A platter of BBQ Baby Back Ribs with homemade BBQ sauce and a corn salad on the side.

Ingredients & Substitutions

mise-en-place with all the ingredients required to make BBQ baby back ribs.
  • Baby Back Pork Ribs - just make sure to remove the silver skin, or as your butcher to do it for you! This makes the ribs fall apart easier!
  • Dr Pepper - you could use a coca-cola if you prefer too!
  • Salt - kosher salt is great!
  • Chili Powder
  • Olive Oil
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Ketchup
  • Brown Sugar
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Cayenne Pepper

*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below

A prep shot of BBQ Baby Back Ribs on a tin foil lined baking sheet.

How to Make BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Large baking pan with the ribs soaked in Dr. Pepper.

Step 1: Place the ribs in a large baking dish and cover with most of the Dr Pepper (leave about ½ cup of Dr. Pepper for later). Add the salt and soak the ribs for 2 -24 hours in the fridge. Best to make sure these are covered with plastic wrap while they are in the fridge!

Large baking pan with ribs that have been pat dry and rubbed with chili powder.

Step 2: Heat the oven to 350°F. Remove the ribs from the liquid, place on a baking sheet and pat them dry. Give them a good rub with the chili powder. Pour 1 cup of water into the baking sheet, and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 2 hours, until the meat nearly falls off the bone.

Small pot with onion and garlic to make the BBQ sauce.

Step 3: While the ribs are in the oven, make the BBQ sauce by heating the oil in a small pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until they're soft.

Small pot with sautéed onion and garlic, and ketchup, Dr. Pepper as well as the rest of the ingredients for the BBQ sauce.

Step 4: Add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, and remaining ½ cup of Dr Pepper.

Small pot with BBQ sauce that has been cooked and blended with immersion blender.

Step 5: Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. You can let this cool and use an immersion blender if you want a smooth BBQ sauce.

Large baking tray with Baby Back Ribs that have been cooked in the oven and brushed with BBQ sauce.

Step 6: Once the BBQ Baby Back Ribs have cooked for 2 hours, remove from the oven and fire up the grill. Liberally brush the ribs with bbq sauce. When the grill is hot, cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side so they get the nice charred flavor. Remove from grill and add more sauce if desired.

How to Store Baby Back Ribs

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator once they are cool for about 2-3 days. Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap/ziploc since too much air can dry the ribs. If you want to use a container, use something small or shallow. To reheat, bring to room temperature, cover with a foil and heat it in the oven slowly at 300F. You can also use a skillet to slowly heat them, making sure to cover them with a lid. Leftover BBQ sauce really helps keep the the ribs moist and juicy!!

How to Freeze Baby Back Ribs

If you are not planning to eat the leftovers in 2-3 days, you can freeze these. Just like with refrigeration, wrap them tightly. When you are planning to eat them, you should defrost them in the fridge first and then follow the same instructions to reheat as with refrigeration.

Tips & Tricks

You might want to make a double recipe for the BBQ sauce when prepping these BBQ Baby Back Ribs. It's great on just about anything else you're grilling this summer! Brush it on some cob on the cob, dunk some bread into, or just slather on top of some veggies!

FAQ's

How long to grill baby back ribs at 350 degrees?

My rib recipe starts in the oven and is cooked for 2 hours before going on the grill that way I don't have to have my grill rolling for 2 hours and maintain a fire. So for this recipe, you'll need about 5 minutes on the grill to char.

Should I boil baby back ribs before BBQ?

Nope! No need. Instead - bake them! This lets them start to fall apart so they are tender and easy to eat!

A dinner party spread with BBQ Baby Back Ribs, BBQ Corn Salad, an easy Slaw Salad and Caprese!

If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 6 votes
These BBQ Baby Back Ribs are marinated in Dr Pepper which makes these ribs fall off the bone! They are the most tender and delicious ribs you'll ever make in your life!
Prep Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 racks baby back pork ribs
  • 1 large 2 liter bottle of Dr Pepper
  • ¼ cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place the ribs in a large baking dish and cover with most of the Dr Pepper (leave about ½ cup of Dr. Pepper for later) Add the salt and soak the ribs for 2 -24 hours in the fridge.
  • Heat the oven to 350°F.
  • Remove the ribs from the liquid, place on a baking sheet and pat them dry. Give them a good rub with the chili powder. Pour 1 cup of water into the baking sheet, and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 2 hours, until the meat nearly falls off the bone.
  • While the ribs are in the oven, make the BBQ Sauce by heating the oil in a small pot over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until they're soft and add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, and remaining ½ cup of Dr Pepper. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. If you want a super smooth sauce, let this cool and then use an immersion blender to puree.
  • Once the ribs have cooked for 2 hours, remove from the oven and fire up the grill. Liberally brush the ribs with bbq sauce. When the grill is hot, cook them for 2-4 minutes on each side so they get the nice charred flavor. Remove from grill and add more sauce if desired.

Notes

You might want to make a double recipe for the BBQ sauce. It’s great on just about anything else you’re grilling this summer! Brush it on some cob on the cob, dunk some bread into, or just slather on top of some veggies!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 5183mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 975IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 2mg
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43 Comments

  1. Gaby- you used to have a mango slaw recipe attached to the rib recipe, but I can’t find it anywhere. Do you have the recipe listed anymore? Thanks!

  2. 5 stars
    Made these today for our 4th of July celebration. Wowwwwww! Amazing! I can’t wait to have them again! Easy and delicious,

  3. Really delicious and fuss-free dish to serve when you have guests over, provided you make them slaw dressing and bbq sauce in advance. One note: based on Gaby’s Coca Cola marinated ribs recipe (also on this site), which uses basically the same bbq sauce, I think this recipe, as written, may have omitted a key last step with the bbq sauce. In her other recipe, you blend the sauce for 60 seconds once you’re done letting it simmer. I suggest doing that here as well, otherwise you will have chunky, oniony sauce. I didn’t see the other ribs recipe prior to making this one, so I improvised and ran my sauce through a food mill to get a smooth consistency. Tasted great.

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve made these ribs twice and they’ve been perfect both times!! Super easy and delicious!

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