The secret ingredient to this tender, delicious barbecued ribs recipe known as Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs? Coca-Cola soda and some time! Perfect for your next family party.
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Why we love this recipe
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! Make sure you build in some time for these, because while they are super easy to make, they do need time to marinate and then time to cook low and slow in your oven before you finish them on your grill.
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitions
- Ribs: We always use baby back pork ribs for this recipe. They are the right size and contain the right amount of lean vs fat ratio, and (bonus points!) they are very affordable.
- Soda: You can use any dark soda from Coke to Dr. Pepper to your friendly neighborhood store brand…just make sure it is the regular variety and not the diet version. You need the sugar as well as the carbonation in the soda to tenderize your ribs.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
Here’s how you make this recipe
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: Take the ribs out of the pan they have been marinating in and toss that soda. Put the ribs in a roasting pan that has been coated with cooking spray, brush liberally with part of the sauce.
STEP 4: 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. A paring knife should go in easily. You can check them for done-ness with a thermometer – they should be about 200 degrees.
STEP 5: When you are ready to eat, preheat your grill to medium high heat and grill the rib, basting with some of the leftover sauce and turning once or twice until the outside is crispy, about 10-15 minutes.
STEP 6: While the ribs are cooking, send someone reliable in to simmer the remaining sauce over medium-low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes until a little thick.
STEP 7: Stand back while the dinner crowd goes crazy for your ribs! See that smile? It happens every single time you cook up these ribs!
Equipment we used for this recipe
These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!
- Roasting Pan: This affordable roasting pan is nice and sturdy.
- 9 x 13 Casserole: Perfect for marinating those ribs (and for making my favorite cheesy cauliflower casserole recipe!)
- Measuring Cup: We love these angled measuring cups – they come in all different sizes!
- Food Processor: One of the few appliances that is allowed to stay on our counter 365 days a year.
- Measuring Spoons: We love these magnetic spoons that let you use one at a time.
- Basting Brush: This silicone brush is our go-to for any and all basting!
- Thermometer: Always the best way to check for done-ness.
Recipe FAQs
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!
We do recommend baby back pork ribs for this recipe, but you can use beef ribs if you want to. Keep in mind that beef ribs are usually bigger and more dense so they will need more time in the oven (you want them to get to a temperature of about 200 degrees), 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!
What to serve with this recipe
We love us some vinegar coleslaw with these ribs, and a hearty BLT potato salad is perfect as well. Some butter biscuits are always a hit, and for dessert? We’ll have some banana cream pie, please!
Other grilling recipes we love!
We want to know what you think! 🤔
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.
Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs
The secret ingredient to this tender, delicious barbecued ribs recipe? Coca-Cola soda and some fatherly love! Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 150 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American, Southern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 lbs bone in pork ribs
- 3 cups Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper
- 3 cups ketchup
- 1 cup packed 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.
- Take the ribs out of the pan they have been marinating in and toss that soda. 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. A paring knife should go in easily, and/or you can measure them for doneness with a cooking thermometer – they should be around 200 degrees.
- To finish, grill the ribs over medium-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 on the stove over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes until a little thick.
- You can either cut the ribs into one rib pieces or serve them up in sections. Enjoy!
Notes
-
- Ribs: We always use baby back pork ribs for this recipe. They are the right size and contain the right amount of lean vs fat ratio, and (bonus points!) they are very affordable.
-
- Soda: You can use any dark soda from Coke to Dr. Pepper to your friendly neighborhood store brand…just make sure it is the regular variety and not the diet version. You need the sugar as well as the carbonation in the soda to tenderize your ribs.
Aoibheann ( Itโs Irish.) says
Absolutely! fantastically ! Deeelicious! I am so glad I found your site! ThisโฆโThank you so very much!โ Comes all the way from the U.K So hello ๐ US Of A! ๐บ๐ธ
Hi there my new Irish friend (I love your name!) and I am so happy that you found both my ribs recipe and my website! Thank you for your sweet comment, and I hope you come back often!
Jackie says
The ribs came out amazing. I have heard of using soda before but this is the first time I’ve tried it. I used Dr. Pepper. So tender and good flavor. We found the sauce too sweet though and next time I will cut back on the sugar. But this is a keeper. Thanks!
Hi Jackie! I go back and forth between Coke and Dr. Pepper with this recipe too. I’m so glad you liked this one – thanks for telling me! :)
Michael says
What if I don’t have a grill…just serve from oven???…West texas
Hi Michael and yes! Turn your oven up to broil if you want to get a little of that crispy char and broil for a few minutes (keep an eye on it) instead of putting it on the grill.
Sajndra says
Can u jusy pour the soda in the pan?
Hi there! You can with the first part of the soda – the rest of it needs to be mixed in with the other ingredients so that you have a sauce. Hope this helps!
Susan says
Absolutely delicious, my husband asks for these all the time. Made them with Cherry Coke once and it came out really good too
Cherry Coke! I love that idea – I will have to try it next time. :)
Mavis says
Can you substitute beef instead of pork ribs?
Hi Mavis and yes! You definitely can. :)
Robert L. says
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! :)
Lucy says
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! :)
Karen Sarnowski says
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!!
Caroel says
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! :)
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.
Linda Ellis says
Good for you. Never let a bully get away with it.
Ima tryin your recipe soon! Looks good.
Thank you Linda – I really appreciate your support! And I hope you love the ribs. :)
Sampo Soilampi says
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! :) :)