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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.
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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.
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 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dry rub (your favorite blend)
- ½ 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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Other Recipes You'll Love:
- EASY BBQ Beef Finger Ribs – Party Ribs Style Recipe
- BEST Pastrami Beef Ribs – Smoked BBQ Dino Ribs Recipe
- Orange Glazed Ribs – Easy Rib Recipe
- Easy Campfire Ribs: How to Cook Over an Open Fire
- Party Ribs Recipe – Bourbon Brown Sugar Glazed
Dr Pepper Party Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 Racks St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs Or Baby Backs
- 2 tablespoon Yellow Mustard Or Hot Sauce Binder
- ½ C BBQ Rub
- ½ C Unsalted Butter Sliced
- 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce
- ¼ C Brown Sugar
- 2 C Dr. Pepper
- 1 C Ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon 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.
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