Who wouldn’t want Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs smothered in a homemade BBQ sauce served up with some spinach dip and my all time favorite salty cracker? Hello?!?! Let’s do this.
You guys!! It’s time. We’re 2 weeks away from the most anticipated game of the year and word on the street is that Beyonce is going to make a halftime appearance and I can’t even handle the excitement! Coldplay will be there too, but it’s all about Queen B in my world and I make no apologies!! Cooking for a football party is right up there on my list of favorite things ever next to my birthday party and Cinco de Mayo! It’s like the highlight of appetizers and finger food and who doesn’t love that? This year I’m putting on quite the spread. It’s all finger food, all delicious snacks, icy cold Coca-Cola and some sweet treats. I’m sure some people will watch the game, but I’ll be posted up by the snack bar the entire time. PLUS I’m teaming up with Coca-Cola & NABISCO to be a part of the #HomeBowlHeroContest - same drill as last year. Epic recipes, a huge giveaway and lots of pretty food to obsess over.
Okay - let’s kick off the next 2 weeks worth of game day food with some RIBS! These beauties are marinated for 24 hours in Coca-Cola (my all time fav soft drink) which breaks down the meat and makes it extra tender and it leaves the ribs infused with just the right amount of sugar. To that, we’ll add some spice, cook them until tender and then douse them with a homemade BBQ sauce. And because these Coca-Cola doused BBQ ribs can’t be the ONLY thing you walk away with today, I’m serving them up with last year’s Spinach Bacon Dip that made everyone freak out. MORE IS MORE, YOU GUYS! Your favorite piping hot spinach dip laced with bacon and served with tasty RITZ Crackers? I mean, bring it on! The key to all football parties is to have an assortment of food, so let’s let these 2 recipes kick off football season here on What’s Gaby Cooking!
Before you hop down to the recipe - remember that Pinterest contest we did last year and the winner walked away with an epic prize pack? Who’s down to do it again? I vote yes! Simply create a new pin board titled “Coca-Cola & NABISCO #HomeBowlHeroContest” and pin your favorite game day recipes / tips / tricks and ideas, each with #HomeBowlHeroContest in the caption! (These Ribs would be a perfect fit #justsayin) Then just leave the link of your pin board in the comment section below and I’ll pick 2 lucky winners to win a $400 “Home Bowl” Prize including a whole lotta goodies for your very own Home Bowl party! PS you don’t need to pin pictures of Coca-Cola or NABISCO products to be entered to win!
PPS - If you’re sending out invites to your game day fiesta, check out the Home Bowl website for some fun party ideas!!
Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs
- 2 liters Coca-Cola
- ¼ cup salt
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 cup water
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion minced
- 2 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place the ribs in a large baking dish and cover with almost all of the Coca-Cola (leaving about ½ cup of Coca-Cola for the BBQ sauce) and add the salt. Marinate the ribs for 24 hours in the fridge.
- Heat the oven to 350°F.
- Remove the ribs from the liquid, place on a large baking sheet and pat them dry. Sprinkle them 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, prepare the BBQ sauce. Heat the oil in a small pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, about 5 minutes and add the garlic, stir to combine. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, and remaining ½ cup of Coca-Cola. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat, adjust salt if needed and let cool. Once cooled, transfer to a high-powered blender and blend for 60 seconds until smooth.
- Once the ribs are cooked, remove from the oven and heat an indoor or outdoor grill to medium high heat. Liberally brush the ribs with BBQ sauce. When the grill is hot, cook them for 7-8 minutes on each side until slightly charred. Remove from grill and add more sauce if desired. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling and Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
Can you use Coke Zero?
never tested it but I would think so!
If you don’t have time to marinate the ribs the full 24 hours, will that be ok??
yes! still ok!!
Hi Gaby. Looking to make this combo for my husband's birthday this weekend. Quick question - the dip here looks very different to the picture on the link to the dip recipe. This one looks much creamier. Is it the same recipe? Thanks so much!
same recipe!! Just a different food stylist than usual
The water you add to the baking sheet is touching the ribs?? I’m a little confused on this part.
I have my baking sheets lined with aluminum foil. Do I add the water and the ribs and then cover tightly everything together? Or should I individually tightly wrap the ribs and then place it in the baking sheet with the water in it?
the water should just touch the bottom side of the ribs - you need it to create the moisture! So yes, add water, then the ribs, then wrap the whole thing in foil and bake
here is the link to my #HomeBowlHeroContest board -
https://www.pinterest.com/iamdadtastic/coca-cola-nabisco-homebowlherocontest/
Love the Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs recipe! Going to try to make this for our party. #HomeBowlHeroContest” https://www.pinterest.com/ladydeediva/~coca-cola-and-nabisco-homebowlherocontest~/
My family would love these!! Delicious!!!
https://www.pinterest.com/heatherp626/coca-cola-nabisco-homebowlherocontest/
Just sent ya an email!!! You're one of the winners!!