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!
Table of Contents
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 and the spiced baby back ribs to your next ribs dinner party menu!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- 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
How to Make BBQ Baby Back Ribs
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!
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.
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.
Step 4: Add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, and remaining ½ cup of Dr Pepper.
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.
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!
Related Recipes
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
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.
I can't wait to come visit so that I can try all of these pictures that I see!
Great, a reason to have soda inthe house. My hubby would love you
You did great work with those ribs my dear!
What type of chili powder? Ground Chili Pepper to a powder OR a chili powder blend of chilies, onion powder, cumin, etc. Thank you!
We've used root beer in rib sauce, but not Dr. Pepper. These sound really good.
This is a very interesting recipe... must give it a try.
Please feed me these!
I've actually heard of putting Dr. Pepper (or other types of soda) in BBQ sauce or in with the meat, but I've never tried it. Your ribs look delicious, and they just might have pushed me over the edge!
These look ridiculous (in a good way!) I LOVE ribs, and am all over this recipe 🙂
I agree with Lori. 🙂
Neat recipe! These look just like a restaurants!
I can attest to these being finger licking good.
This looks beyond delicious!
yum yum! Love this idea for my man 🙂
Yum! Great recipe, girl!
oh my word, it's RIB SEASON!!! these sound so good...i love the homemade sauce with dr pepper!