• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Search All Recipes
    • Recipe Round-Ups
  • More
    • About
    • Work With Me!
    • Lifestyle
    • Outside the Kitchen
    • Kitchen Tips & Gifts
    • Contact

Framed Cooks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Father’s Day Recipes!
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Father’s Day Recipes!
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Framed Cooks ยป Recipes ยป Dinner

    Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs

    Published: Jun 6, 2010 ยท Modified: Oct 28, 2024 by Kate Morgan Jackson ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 87 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Coca Cola ribs by the grill.
    Jump to:
    • Why we love this recipe
    • Ingredients you need
    • Ingredient notes and substitions
    • Hereโ€™s how you make this recipe
    • Equipment we used for this recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • What to serve with this recipe
    • Other grilling recipes we love!
    • We want to know what you think! ๐Ÿค”
    • Grandpaโ€™s Coca-Cola Ribs

    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.

    Two cans of Coca-Cola on a wooden counter.

    (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

    Ingredients needed for Coca Cola Ribs.

    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

    Ribs marinating in Cola soda.

    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.

    Coca Cola Barbecue sauce mixed up in a food processor.

    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.

    Coca Cola Ribs being basted in a roasting pan.

    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.

    Coca Cola Ribs cooked in the oven.

    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.

    Coca Cola ribs on the grill.

    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.

    Pot of barbecue sauce.

    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. 

    Happy guy eating Coca Cola Ribs.

    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

    Can I make these ribs ahead of time?

    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.

    Can I use Diet Coke?

    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!

    Can I use beef ribs instead of pork ribs?

    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!

    Have a question that I didn’t cover?

    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!

    • Easy tangy coleslaw in a dish.
      Vinegar Coleslaw
    • Bacon lettuce and tomato potato salad in a bowl.
      BLT Potato Salad
    • Butter biscuits in a basket.
      Butter Biscuits
    • Easy banana cream pie on a counter.
      Easy Banana Cream Pie

    Other grilling recipes we love!

    • Buttermilk grilled steak on a cutting board.
      Buttermilk Steak
    • Stack of grilled flatbread.
      Easy Grilled Flatbread
    • Grilled Pineapple Steak on a Plate
      Pineapple Steak
    • Grilled Buttermilk Rosemary Chicken on a Plate
      Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

    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.

    Print

    Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs

    Coca cola ribs resting on a board.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 10 reviews

    The secret ingredient to this tender, delicious barbecued ribs recipe? Coca-Cola soda and some fatherly love! Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs!

    • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
    • 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

    Scale
    • 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

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    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, 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @FramedCooks on Facebook or Instagram…we want to see it!

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    54800 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tonia Le Febre-Johnson says

      November 16, 2019 at 12:03 pm

      I have made these ribs more times than I can count. They are perfect every time.

      Reply
      • Tonia Le Febre-Johnson says

        November 16, 2019 at 12:10 pm

        I even made them for my wedding…

        Reply
        • Kate Morgan Jackson says

          November 18, 2019 at 9:39 am

          Tonia! That is so very special, and I know that would mean so much to my dad! :)

          Reply
      • Kate Morgan Jackson says

        November 18, 2019 at 9:41 am

        That warms my heart to hear – my dad would love this too. :)

        Reply
    2. Cathy Tibbles says

      June 25, 2019 at 10:21 am

      I made this last night with a few less Tbsp chili powder and everyone loved it!

      Reply
      • Kate Morgan Jackson says

        June 25, 2019 at 3:01 pm

        Well YAY! Love that your family loved one of our all time family faves. :) xo

        Reply
    3. Brianna says

      April 23, 2019 at 4:40 pm

      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 ?

      Reply
    4. Brianna says

      April 22, 2019 at 9:03 pm

      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 ?

      Reply
      • Kate says

        April 24, 2019 at 8:58 am

        Hi Brianna! I’m so glad you loved this one – it’s one of our top family faves!

        Reply
    5. Susan says

      February 16, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Kate says

        February 21, 2018 at 5:50 am

        Susan, thank you so much – my dad would be so happy to hear this!

        Reply
    6. Amber says

      June 24, 2017 at 5:04 pm

      This BBQ sauce is amazing! I had some left over and used it for other recipes! Thank you for sharing!! These ribs were delicious!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        June 25, 2017 at 11:12 am

        Amber! I’m so glad you liked it – happy summer!

        Reply
    7. Cyp says

      June 19, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        June 24, 2017 at 10:48 am

        I’m so glad!! The family seal of approval is the best, right? :)

        Reply
    8. Prepperdaddy says

      June 12, 2017 at 9:12 am

      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?

      Reply
      • Kate says

        June 17, 2017 at 2:03 pm

        Just enough to coat, although if you add some extra that would still work out just fine!

        Reply
    9. Cynthia Hand says

      May 28, 2017 at 11:47 am

      Trying this for Memorial Day weekend dinner tonight. They look SOOOOO good.

      Reply
      • Kate says

        May 29, 2017 at 10:27 am

        Cynthia! I’m so glad – we had them last night and we don’t even have any bones left! (we do have happy dogs!)

        Reply
        • Cynthia Hand says

          May 30, 2017 at 8:09 am

          These were ah-mazing. Best ribs I’ve ever had!

          Reply
    10. patrick says

      September 04, 2016 at 8:57 pm

      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 !

      Reply
      • Kate says

        September 05, 2016 at 3:37 pm

        Patrick, thanks so much for telling me this – glad to hear they are an international success! :)

        Reply
    11. Nicole says

      September 09, 2015 at 9:12 am

      I don’t have a grill and would like to make these. How long would I have to cook them in the stove instead?

      Reply
      • Kate says

        September 10, 2015 at 8:59 pm

        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. :)

        Reply
    12. Paul says

      May 22, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      Hi,
      Can you use chicken drumsticks instead of ribs for this recipe?
      Thanks

      Reply
    13. Diane says

      May 20, 2015 at 6:29 pm

      How many hours do you cook in oven if not grilling ?

      Reply
      • Kate says

        May 22, 2015 at 7:53 am

        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!

        Reply
    14. Joni says

      July 01, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      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!!

      Reply
      • Kate says

        July 02, 2014 at 7:34 am

        Thanks Joni! Can’t wait to hear if your family loves them as much as mine does. :)

        Reply
    15. Ben says

      August 28, 2013 at 9:25 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Kate says

        August 30, 2013 at 6:46 am

        I’m so glad! Sounds like we have families with similar taste! :)

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Kate from Framed Cooks

    Hi, Iโ€™m Kate! Iโ€™m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here!

    More about me โ†’

    Father's Day Recipes!

    • steak and cherry tomato skewers
      Steak Skewers
    • Summer lasagna on a plate.
      Summer Lasagna
    • Shrimp cooked in beer in a bowl with a can of beer in the background.
      Shrimp Cooked In Beer
    • Bacon and egg pancakes on a plate.
      Bacon and Egg Pancakes
    • shredded pot roast
      Mimosa Fruit Salad
    • Sliced strawberry bread on a plate.
      Glazed Strawberry Bread

    Reader Favorites

    • Pastina with egg and cheese in a bowl.
      Pastina with Egg and Cheese, Otherwise Known As Comfort Food
    • Lemon Garlic Lobster Pasta in a bowl with a fork.
      Pasta with Lobster Sauce
    • Grandpa's Coca-Cola Ribs on a cutting board.
      Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs
    • Pasta with Buttered Egg Sauce on a plate with a fork.
      Pasta with Egg Sauce
    • Soft scrambled eggs with ricotta on a plate.
      Ricotta Scrambled Eggs
    • Cheese Fries in a bowl on a wooden counter.
      Easy Cheese Fries

    Want every new recipe delivered right to your email inbox?

    Sign Me Up!

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Get in Touch

    • Contact

    Copyright ยฉ 2025 Framed Cooks

    All photographs ยฉ FramedCooks and may not be used for any purpose without written permission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    54.8K shares
    54800 shares
    • 1917