Dinners

EASY Smoked Dr Pepper Party Ribs w/ BBQ Sauce Recipe

Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Watch Me Make It

Let me tell you something right off the bat – if you’re looking for a killer rib recipe that’s packed with flavor, super saucy, and perfect for feeding a crowd, these Dr Pepper party ribs are the way to go. I’ve smoked a lot of pork ribs over the years, but when I made these party ribs soaked in Dr. Pepper bbq sauce, something just clicked. The layers of delicious dr. pepper flavor hit sweet, smoky, and just a little spicy all in one bite.

A raw, rack of pork ribs rests on a wooden cutting board with a checkered pattern. The meat is red and marbled with thin white lines of fat.

Click Here to Print this Recipe and save for later

These aren’t your average baby back ribs or spare ribs either – we’re turning a whole rack into party-style ribs by slicing between the rib bones before cooking. That means you get more bark, more caramelization, and more surface area to soak in that can of dr. pepper and brown sugar magic. The end result is tender ribs with a sticky, savory glaze that’ll have folks licking their fingers clean.

A close-up of raw pork ribs being sliced with a textured chef’s knife on a patterned wooden cutting board.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The first step is slicing the ribs into individual ribs before they hit the smoker, which helps build up bark and lets that dry rub really dig in. The final brush of Dr. Pepper bbq sauce seals the deal for these Dr Pepper party ribs and gives these saucy ribs a sweet and glossy finish that’s just plain irresistible.

Ingredients / Tools Needed

Ingredients:

  • 1 rack of ribs (baby back ribs or spare ribs both work)
  • 1 can of Dr. Pepper (not diet)
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp dry rub (your favorite blend)
  • 1/2 cup dr. pepper bbq sauce
  • optional: hot sauce for added heat

Tools:

  • grill or smoker with indirect heat setup
  • aluminum foil or heavy duty foil
  • roasting pan or baking sheet
  • paper towel
  • tongs
  • airtight container for leftovers
Raw pork ribs in a rectangular aluminum tray, with yellow mustard drizzled over the top, sitting on a wood surface.

Instructions

Preparation

To get the Dr Pepper party ribs started, start by flipping the rack of ribs over and removing the membrane from the back of the ribs if you wish. If you’re tight on time, it’s not mandatory for delicious ribs. Using a paper towel for grip, this is optional and if you’re short on time, unneeded.

Since we’re cooking party ribs, there are 3 sides of the Dr Pepper party ribs that will be exposed to smoke and flavor. This lets your rub and soak all the way into the ribs meat side meaning way more flavor. Once it’s cleaned up, slice the whole rack into individual ribs by cutting between each rib bone.

Chunks of seasoned meat are arranged on the racks inside a smoker grill, with smoke rising around them as they cook. The grill is open, revealing the metal grates and a bit of the brick wall behind it.

Coat each rib with a little bit of yellow mustard to help the dry rub stick. Sprinkle the dry rub and brown sugar on all sides of the ribs. Place the ribs into a roasting pan or on a baking sheet to rest while you fire up the smoker.

Set your grill grates for indirect heat (if you’re using a Masterbuilt smoker, make sure it’s on the ” the smoke side”) and preheat to 250 degrees f. Once it’s ready, arrange the Dr Pepper party ribs in the making meat side up on the smoker. Place them close but make sure they are in a single-layer and have room between each rib for airflow.

Cooking

A foil tray filled with raw, seasoned pork ribs sits in front of an open outdoor grill, ready to be cooked. The ribs are coated with a reddish spice rub. Sunlight highlights the scene.

Let the Dr Pepper party ribs smoke for 2 hours uncovered so they can develop that bark and start to caramelize and build flavorful bark. After that, wrap them up in heavy duty foil with the Dr Pepper bbq sauce that you’ve made for the Dr Pepper party ribs. You can even add a splash of hot sauce here if you like your savory ribs with a kick.

A foil tray filled with glazed, saucy barbecue ribs sits on a grill, with a container labeled Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce resting at the corner of the tray.

Cook the wrapped ribs for another 1 hour. That’s when you know you’ve got juicy ribs that are fall-apart tender. Once unwrapped, brush on more Dr. Pepper bbq sauce and let them sit back on the grill grates for 15 minutes to set the glaze.

Serving Suggestions

These Dr Pepper party ribs are built for sharing, so pile them high on a platter for your next Sunday dinner, backyard get-together, or football watch party. They go great with simple sides like coleslaw, mac and cheese, or cornbread. If you end up with leftover ribs, toss them in an airtight container and reheat the next day – the flavor might be even better.

Recipe Notes & Pro Tips

Cutting the rack into the individual ribs before cooking might seem like an extra step, but it really is the best possible way to get max flavor. Every edge gets seasoned and caramelized, and that’s what makes party ribs so special. Make sure to use regular Dr. Pepper soda – not diet – for the sugar content that helps form the glaze.

A disposable aluminum tray filled with freshly grilled, charred pork ribs sits on a metal surface in front of a barbecue grill. The Dr Pepper Party ribs are cooked and have a caramelized, crispy exterior.

If you want to use your slow cooker – go for it. You could also try these in a slow cooker or even the instant pot, but the smoker gives you unbeatable flavor. Use aluminum foil or heavy duty foil to keep in all that Dr pepper steam and avoid drying out the ribs. I like to save any leftover sauce in a jar to drizzle on just before serving. This will really bring the Dr Pepper party ribs to life!

Variations

You can use baby back ribs if you want a leaner option or go with spare ribs for more meat. Swap in cherry soda or root beer for a different sweet twist, or add a splash of bourbon to the Dr. Pepper bbq sauce for a smoky punch. If you want to serve these indoors, roast them in the oven on a baking sheet using the same cooking time and temp.

Dr Pepper party ribs are one of my absolute favorite great recipes for when I want to impress a crowd without making it too complicated. You only need simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, and you’ll end up with the best ribs you’ve ever had. Whether you’re cooking for a party or just want a new way to enjoy pork ribs, give these savory, saucy Dr Pepper party ribs a try.

Aluminum tray filled with saucy, smoked pork ribs covered in a dark, sticky barbecue glaze. The ribs are stacked and surrounded by foil lining, with a rich, shiny sauce pooling at the bottom.

Other Recipes You’ll Love:

A plate with grilled ribs sits on a blue and white zigzag-patterned dish, with a bottle of Dr Pepper soda lying on its side in the background on a wooden surface.

Dr Pepper Party Ribs

Dr Pepper Party Ribs is exactly what it sounds like – Trust me, these disappear fast.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 371kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Racks St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs Or Baby Backs
  • 2 TBSP Yellow Mustard Or Hot Sauce Binder
  • 1/2 C BBQ Rub
  • 1/2 C Unsalted Butter Sliced
  • 2 TBSP Brown Sugar

Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

  • 1/4 C Brown Sugar
  • 2 C Dr. Pepper
  • 1 C Ketchup
  • 2 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Start by making the Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce: Pour 2 C Dr Pepper into a pot and let boil for about 5-8 minutes to reduce by half. Add all other ingredients and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes until consistency is where you like
  • Slice the ribs into individual bones and coat each one with mustard or hot sauce as a binder. Generously season all sides with BBQ rub and let rest at room temperature while the smoker preheats.
  • Preheat your smoker to 250°F. Place ribs directly on the grates and smoke for 2 hours until bark is set and color is deep red. The meat should show some pullback from the bone.
  • Transfer ribs to an aluminum pan. Add sliced butter and brown sugar on top of the ribs, then pour in the Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. Cover tightly with foil and return the pan to the smoker.
  • Continue cooking at 250°F for 1 hours until ribs are tender but not falling apart. Remove from heat and rest, still covered, for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Toss the ribs gently in the sauce before plating or serve straight from the pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 663mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 867IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

Join in!

Subscribe for recipes, giveaways, and discounts to be sent directly to you!


Write A Comment

Recipe Rating




Pin It