The secret ingredient to this tender, delicious barbecued ribs recipe known as Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs? Coca-Cola soda and some fatherly love! Perfect for your next family party.
My all-time favorite recipe for tender, delicious, perfect every time ribs is this one for Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs, which are just what you think they are.
Juicy ribs marinated in, among other things, a bath of Coca-Cola soda (or Dr. Pepper, if you prefer), which gives them an amazing consistency and an even more amazing taste.
(Oh, and if you want an amazing Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pot Roast recipe, we’ve got you covered on that too!)
A little easy breezy coleslaw on the side, and you are in for the perfect summer supper!
And while I wish I could take credit for this one, it’s actually all about my dad.
Here are my adorable parents, who are just about to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. With all their friends. And all our giant extended family. At my house. Please pray for good weather.
Anyway, my mom has always been an amazing, phenomenal, extraordinary cook.
Fresh-baked bread, Irish corned beef, chocolate Heath Bar cake, marinated mozzarella, the best scones in the entire world, and I could go on and on.
My dad…well, he made some pretty great scrambled eggs over the years, but he was mainly relegated to kitchen clean-up crew along with the rest of us.
However. Over the past few years, I have had more than one great meal at their house, and complimented my mom on whatever it was, and she said these four words that were not usually ever strung together in my childhood home:
“Your father made it.”
Macaroni and cheese. Shredded beef barbecue sandwiches. And lately, these ribs that are the sweet and spicy kind that literally fall off the bones as you eat them.
Dad? Dad, is that you?
So when he made them for dinner over Memorial Day weekend, I thought that’s it, the world must know about this. So here you go!
Ingredients you need for the world’s best ribs!
Here’s how you make these Melt in your mouth Ribs!
(Scroll down for the handy complete printable recipe with nutrition info!)
STEP 1: Place 4 pounds of bone-in pork ribs to a large glass or ceramic baking dish and pour 2 cups of Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper over them. (Save the third cup of the soda for a sauce to be made later.) Cover the pan securely with plastic wrap and let the ribs marinate in the fridge overnight.
STEP 2: Pour that remaining cup of soda into a blender or food processor and add 3 cups of ketchup, one cup of brown sugar, 6 tablespoons of chili powder, 4 tablespoons of ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons dry mustard, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. (Whew!) Blend until smooth.
STEP 3: Put the ribs in a roasting pan that has been coated with cooking spray, brush liberally with part of the sauce, cover the roasting pan with a lid or some foil and roast the ribs in a 225 F oven for about 2 1/2 hours or until very tender.
STEP 4: When you are ready to eat, preheat your grill to high heat and grill the rib, basting with some of the leftover sauce until the outside is crispy, about 10-15 minutes. While the ribs are cooking, simmer the remaining sauce for about 20 minutes until a little thick.
STEP 5: Stand back while the dinner crowd goes crazy for your ribs!
More tips for making the best ribs ever!
You can, all the way up until the grilling part. You can do the oven portion of the recipe up to a day ahead of time.
You can drink some while you make these ribs, but you need the sugar in the regular Coke to make this recipe as wonderful as it needs to be!
You can! Keep in mind that beef ribs are usually bigger and more dense, and will have a stronger flavor – but if it’s a flavor you like, then go for it!
Pop your question in the comments section below and I will answer pronto!
And there you have it. The world’s best ribs, from the world’s best dad.
Like the looks of this recipe? Pin it now to make it later!
Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs
Prep Time: 15 minutes- Cook Time: 150 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Blender, Oven
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Method:
Cuisine:
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
The secret ingredient to this tender, delicious barbecued ribs recipe? Coca-Cola soda and some fatherly love! Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs!
Ingredients
- 4 lbs bone in pork ribs
- 3 cups Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper
- 3 cups ketchup
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons chili powder
- 4 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Place the ribs to a large glass or ceramic baking dish and pour 2 cups of Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper over them. Reserve the third cup of the soda for a sauce to be made later. Cover the pan securely with plastic wrap and let the ribs marinate in the fridge overnight.
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of soda into a blender or food processor and add the ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, pepper, dry mustard, and cinnamon. Blend until smooth.
- Put the ribs in a roasting pan that has been coated with cooking spray, brush liberally with part of the sauce, cover the pan with a lid or foil and roast in a 225 F oven for about 2 1/2 hours or until very tender. (Can be done the day before. )
- To finish, grill the ribs over high heat, basting with some of the leftover sauce until the outside is crispy, about 10-15 minutes. While the ribs are cooking, simmer the remaining sauce for about 20 minutes until a little thick.
Notes
Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying!
OTHER BARBECUE RECIPES WE LOVE!
 Turn barbecue into a supper that the whole family will love with this easy barbecue casserole recipe! Make sure you make enough for seconds! |
 Slow roasted beef and a tangy sauce make turn into the world’s most satisfying barbecue sandwiches! Perfect for your next tailgate or picnic. |
 This easy barbecue chicken salad recipe features the great flavors of grilled chicken with summer veggies and a tangy ranch dressing! |
yum, those ribs look delicious.
Knowing your parents as I do, those words are a pleasure for me to hear. I will be happy to try himself's rib recipe at our earliest opportunity and maybe it will make the next book with his name on the recipe. Love your blog and your family….Nancy
I love reading about your lovely parents! These ribs look outrageous! Can't wait to try them! Tell your Dad thanks ;)
Coca Cola and ribs, somehow it makes sense!
Well, you know what they say about Things being better when made with Love.
:)
I too usually ribs in crock pot with pepsi and orange juice well this morning its pepsi and pieapple juice. What i had on hand to cook then i will bbq after
I bet the pineapple juice worked just perfectly! It’s always good to improvise, especially these days! :)
What is the measurement that is tsb?
Kate, I’m seriously wanting to clarify your dry seasonings here. I do a LOT of making my own marinades and 6 TABLESPOONS of Chili Powder is a tremendous ratio to just 1 cup of coke and 3 cups of catsup. Same goes for your 2 TABLESPOONS of dry mustard. Dry mustard is very warm and I don’t think I’ve ever used more than 1 or 2 teaspoons for any marinade or sauce I’ve made. Please clarify, if you will, that you do mean Tablespoons rather than teaspoons. I probably won’t hear back from you in time as I only have an hour to go on these ribs. I’m smoking these after having marinated in coke overnight. I smoke them 3 hours at 135, then I double wrap them in heavy duty foil adding 1/4 cup of coke before sealing them up and putting them back on the grill for 2 hours. Afterwards I put them back on the grill for another hour which is when I will be basting with your sauce. Thanks!
Hi David! Yes, those measurements are correct – it is tablespoons. The sugar in the sauce from the coke and other things will temper the spice in the sauce, and as you see from the other comments on this recipe, the ribs turn out deliciously with just the right amount of spice and sweetness! Hope you love them as much as our family does. ?
Sauce came out great! I was hoping to share pictures but I don’t see a way to include them.
★★★★★
Hi David and hurray!! And while my comments section can’t handle pictures, you can definitely post them on the Framed Cooks Facebook page, and/or you can tag @framedcooks on Instagram – I’d love to see them!
I mean tb?
Tb is tablespoons – I changed it on the recipe just in case anyone had the same question. :)
It doesn’t say whether to pout off the marinade before baking
You transfer the ribs from the soda to a baking dish, then brush with the marinade – you don’t pour the soda into the baking dish. Does that help?
Hi Kate I love ur Dad spare ribs they are very good this is my Third time making them
my family and friends love it , tell ur dad thank u
Mrs Gaytan
I will definitely tell him – it will make his day!
Trying these tonight for a party! Hope they are great;
They are one of our favorite party foods! Have a great time!!
Wow i just tried your ribs and they’re great. I’m glad I made the effort to bbq today even though it’s a brisk -18 C today and had to warm up the tank inside. You really taste the cinnamon eh.
Thanks again for the recipe
Wow!!! That is true rib-making dedication!! I am impressed! :)
Hello, 225 in oven – fahrenheit or celsius?
thank you
t.
Fahrenheit! Happy ribs.
225 degrees Celsius would be a little too hot. I read some of the questions and ask myself…. Are you sure there’s no such thing as a dumb question??
I made this recipe in Oct 2012 and it was amazing and I’m back today to do it again. This is a delicious recipe and would like to thank you for sharing. Props to you and your family. Thank you
I’m so glad! And I’ll let my dad know, too. :)
Michael’s mouth is watering!
Hope Philly was fun and Happy FD to Don!!!
I made these ribs for my family the other night… Delish!!! I can’t wait to make them again. The best part, I have plenty of sauce left for other projects.
I’m so glad! Sounds like we have families with similar taste! :)
I am trying this tomorrow. I am about to do the marinade and let the ribs soak overnight. I will let you know how much my family enjoys them. Looks delicious!!
Thanks Joni! Can’t wait to hear if your family loves them as much as mine does. :)
How many hours do you cook in oven if not grilling ?
Hi Diane! The ribs are pretty much cooked once they go on the grill – they are being grilled just to get that nice crispy exterior. If you run them under the broiler after the oven time in the recipe (and watch them carefully during the broiling part!) you should get a similar crispy effect. Hope this helps!
Hi,
Can you use chicken drumsticks instead of ribs for this recipe?
Thanks
I don’t have a grill and would like to make these. How long would I have to cook them in the stove instead?
Hi Nicole! Cook them at 225 degrees for 2 1/2 hours until very tender. And instead of finishing on a grill: Preheat your oven broiler. Arrange the ribs in a single layer on a foil lined cookie sheet, brush with a little sauce and broil, turning once. Watch carefully so they do not burn! And then enjoy. :)
Hi Kate ,
Please tell your dad his spare ribs were a big hit over here in Belgium ! made it for the family and friends and the folks they simply loved it !
Patrick, thanks so much for telling me this – glad to hear they are an international success! :)
Trying this for Memorial Day weekend dinner tonight. They look SOOOOO good.
Cynthia! I’m so glad – we had them last night and we don’t even have any bones left! (we do have happy dogs!)
These were ah-mazing. Best ribs I’ve ever had!
Kate, when you marinate the ribs do you use enough of the sauce to cover the ribs (doesn’t sound like it), or just enough to coat?
Just enough to coat, although if you add some extra that would still work out just fine!
Hi!
Thank you for the recipe. It was a great inspiration. I got a rack of ribs and wanted to cook them on the bbq and I knew that this time I want to use coke. I tweaked your original gospel but your combination of spices and flavours was my main framework. It worked perfectly! My wife and our little boy were both impressed. Thank you again!
I’m so glad!! The family seal of approval is the best, right? :)
This BBQ sauce is amazing! I had some left over and used it for other recipes! Thank you for sharing!! These ribs were delicious!
Amber! I’m so glad you liked it – happy summer!
Your BBQ rib recipe is delicious! This is now my “go-to recipe” every time I make ribs. Thanks to your dad and to you for sharing this no-fail method.
Susan, thank you so much – my dad would be so happy to hear this!
Absolutely delicious!! My new favorite bbq sauce! Had the ribs for Easter dinner last night and the leftover sauce on barbequed chicken tonight. Scrumptious!!! Thank you so much for the recipe ?
★★★★★
Hi Brianna! I’m so glad you loved this one – it’s one of our top family faves!
I madetbese ribs forester dinner on Sunday. They were spectacular!! Fall off the bones and so yummy!!! I had leftover barbecue sauce and used it last night on our barbecue chicken. So delicious!! Definitely my new favorite barbecue sauce!! Thank you much for the delightful recipe ?
★★★★★
I made this last night with a few less Tbsp chili powder and everyone loved it!
★★★★★
Well YAY! Love that your family loved one of our all time family faves. :) xo
I have made these ribs more times than I can count. They are perfect every time.
I even made them for my wedding…
★★★★★
Tonia! That is so very special, and I know that would mean so much to my dad! :)
That warms my heart to hear – my dad would love this too. :)
So , no salt at all ? Seems weird ?
Trying these tomorrow , will marinate overnight today.
Greetings from FINLAND :)
Nope, no salt! It comes through in the various ingredients. And, hello FINLAND! :) :)
Just read that ovens in Canada and the US are calibrated in Fahrenheit whereas the rest of the world has ovens that are Celsius. Given that your recipes are available worldwide, do you think it would have been helpful to say either F or C after you give the temperature?
★
Hi Martin. Given that my recipe are totally free and take lots of work and care, do you think it would have been nicer to email me and make this suggestion in a polite way? I hope you are enjoying my recipes, and that you will think twice before leaving what could have been a constructive comment on someone’s hard work in such an unkind way, on my website or anyone else’s. It takes so little effort to be nice.
Absolutely DELICIOUS!!! Have made it several times and it’s always PERFECT!
THANK YOU!
★★★★★
My dad would be SO happy to hear this – thank YOU! :)
These are fantastic!! And easy to make! Have made them multiple times and coming back to print the recipe for potentially this Memorial Day weekend menu; they are a crowd pleaser!! You can’t go wrong serving these! Thanks, Kate’s Dad!!
★★★★★
has anyone tried this with pepsi instead of coke? how much of a difference do you figure that would actually make, or do they taste pretty similar ? I have both on hand, but was just wondering if it mattered which i used or if anyone could describe to me how either taste compared to the other
Hi Lucy! We’ve always used Coke for this recipe, but I can’t imagine it would make too much of a difference, especially if you like the taste of both. Happy grilling! :)
I make this all the time. I add a few more seasonings to bring more depth to the flavor but it comes out just the same. I recommend you try this recipe. You will not be disappointed.
Hi Robert, and thanks for these kind words about my dad’s recipe! Happy New Year! :)
Can you substitute beef instead of pork ribs?
Hi Mavis and yes! You definitely can. :)
These looks sooo good! Going to make these tomorrow!! Thanks for Sharing xx
Hurray! Hope you love them as much as my family does!
On reflection I think giving you one star was wrong and I’m sorry for that. My comment nevertheless was intended to prompt you to consider your wider audience, and I was using a means of communication that you have provided.
Thanks for that, Martin. I always appreciate constructive suggestions. I do have a Contact Me option on the site which is private – whenever I have an issue with someone online, I try to use that more low-key option and I find that the writer is always appreciative of that. Meantime I will add the Fahrenheit notation to this one since it is so popular :) and keep that in mind going forward. Hope you have a great day!