Try The Slow Cooker Coke Ribs That Melt In Your Mouth

Nothing beats a rack of sticky, succulent ribs fresh off the grill. But not everyone has access to a grill or wants to spend hours tending the flames. That’s where your slow cooker comes in handy! You can make insanely delicious slow-cooker pork ribs and Coke in your kitchen with just a few simple ingredients.

These Coca-Cola ribs are sweet, smoky, and finger-licking good. The cola acts as a tenderizer and gives the ribs an incredible caramelized bark and depth of flavor. You’ll be amazed at how the oven-baked ribs rival those from your favorite barbecue joint.

Trust me, after one bite of these saucy ribs that slide right off the bone, your family will be begging you to make them every week!

Benefits Of Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

There are several advantages to making ribs in a slow cooker rather than oven-baking or grilling them.

• Convenience: With a slow cooker, you can prep the ribs in the morning and let them cook all day while you’re at work. They’ll be ready and waiting at dinnertime.
• Tenderness: The long, low cooking time helps break down the collagen in the meat, making the ribs incredibly tender.
• Flavor infusion: The ribs cook in their sauce, absorbing all that delicious flavor.
• Mess-free: Unlike grilling, which can get smokey and messy, slow-cooked ribs contain the splatters.
• Budget-friendly: Pork ribs are usually pretty economical. Combine that with the ease of slow cooker cooking, and you’ve got an affordable family meal.
• Nutritious: When cooked without excessive barbecue sauce, ribs can be part of a healthy diet. Pork offers protein, zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

How To Choose Ribs For The Slow Cooker

You can’t go wrong with classic St. Louis Style or Baby Back ribs in the slow cooker. They both have just the right amount of fat and connective tissue to get melt-in-your-mouth tender after hours of moist cooking.

• St. Louis ribs are trimmed off the rib tips, and excess cartilage is on the ends. They are usually more meaty and rectangular-shaped.
• Baby back ribs come from the top of the ribcage near the spine. They have a curved shape with shorter bones and more marbling.

Look for meaty ribs with a nice layer of white fat marbling through them. Avoid ribs with dry spots or ones that look overly fatty.

You’ll need around 2-3 pounds of ribs for the slow cooker to feed 4 people. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs so the sauce can penetrate the meat.

Slow Cooker Coke Rib Ingredients

The beauty of these slow cooker pork ribs is that they come together with simple ingredients you likely have on hand.

• Pork ribs – Use St. Louis or Baby Back, about 2-3 pounds
• Cola – 12 oz regular or diet Coke. Offers sweetness, acidity, and tenderizing power
• BBQ sauce – 1 cup of your favorite sauce, divided
• Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
• Mustard – 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• Chili powder – 1 tsp for smoky flavor
• Liquid smoke – 1 tsp (optional)
• Salt and pepper – To taste

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for finger-licking slow cooker pork ribs every time:

1. Prep the Ribs

• Remove membrane from back of ribs
• Cut ribs into 2-3 sections so they fit in slow cooker
• Season all over with salt and pepper

2. Make Sauce

• In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, Coke, garlic, mustard, chili powder, and liquid smoke
• Stir until fully blended

3. Add to Slow Cooker

• Place rib sections meaty side up in slow cooker
• Pour sauce evenly over the ribs

4. Cook on Low Heat

• Cover and cook for 7-8 hours on low
• The ribs are done when the fork is tender and pulling back from the bones

5. Finish on Broil

• Preheat oven to broil on high heat
• Line a baking sheet with foil
• Place cooked ribs on the sheet and brush with remaining BBQ sauce
• Broil for 5-7 minutes until sticky and caramelized

6. Enjoy Your Finger Lickin’ Ribs!

• Allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into sections
• Serve with extra BBQ sauce, coleslaw, cornbread, and pickles

Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips

These ribs store and reheat beautifully. Follow these tips for easy meal prepping:

• Assemble uncooked ribs and sauce in a freezer bag up to 4 days ahead
• Thaw in the fridge before cooking
• Cooked ribs keep refrigerated for 3-4 days
• Reheat in microwave or low oven
• Frozen cooked ribs reheat well for 2-3 months

FAQs

What can I use instead of cola?

You can substitute root beer, Dr. Pepper, apple juice, or water. The cola adds great caramel flavor though.

Do I need to flip and baste the ribs?

No, the slow cooker does all the work for you. There is no need to flip or check them.

Should I wrap the ribs in foil/butcher paper?

Not when slow cooking. Foil wrapping is more appropriate for oven or grill cooking when moisture is needed to be retained.

What BBQ sauce is best for ribs?

Use your favorite sauce or make your own. Ketchup-based sauces work well. Avoid creamy, vinegar-based sauce in the slow cooker.

How will I know when they’re done?

They’re done when the meat has pulled back from the bones and the ribs are tender when poked with a fork.

Incredibly Tender Slow Cooker Coke Ribs

These cola-braised slow cooker pork ribs will be a big hit with your family. No more dry, tough ribs – the slow cooker gives you succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat with an insane depth of finger-licking flavor.

The secret ingredient is Coke, which tenderizes while also adding a delicious sweet and tangy taste. A few common pantry items become an amazing sauce that permeates the juicy pork.

So skip the takeout, break out your slow cooker, and prepare for your new go-to rib night. Just be prepared for the requests for a second helping!