Ingredients:
Ribs:
- 2-3 racks of baby back ribs (or your preferred type)
Dry Rub:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Braising Liquid:
- 1 (2 liter) bottle Dr. Pepper
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- Hot sauce to taste (optional)
Instructions
Prep the Ribs:
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Combine all the dry rub ingredients in a bowl.
- Pat the ribs dry and generously apply the dry rub all over.
Braise the Ribs:
Oven:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place ribs in a large roasting pan or Dutch oven. Pour Dr. Pepper and apple cider vinegar over the ribs. Cover tightly with foil.
- Braise for 2.5-3 hours, or until the meat is very tender and starts to pull away from the bones.
Slow Cooker:
- Place ribs in the slow cooker. Pour Dr. Pepper and apple cider vinegar over the ribs.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the meat is very tender.
Make the BBQ Sauce:
- While the ribs are braising, combine all the BBQ sauce ingredients in a saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes.
Finish the Ribs:
- Carefully remove ribs from the braising liquid and place them on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Brush the ribs generously with BBQ sauce.
- Option 1 – Broil: Broil for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the sauce is caramelized and bubbly.
- Option 2 – Grill: Grill over medium-high heat for a few minutes per side to caramelize the sauce.
Rest and Serve:
- Allow the ribs to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with additional BBQ sauce on the side.
Extra Tips
- For extra smoky flavor, smoke the ribs for a couple of hours before braising using your preferred method.
- Adjust the spiciness of the sauce by adding hot sauce to taste.
- Serve with classic sides like coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, and mac and cheese!
Enjoy your delicious Dr. Pepper BBQ ribs!
