Why do you marinate the ribs in Coca Cola?

The acidity of the soda helps tenderize the meat while the sugar adds flavor and caramelization as the ribs cook.

Can I make Coca Cola ribs ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, they're perfect for making ahead. Marinate the ribs overnight, roast them up to a day in advance, then refrigerate them until you're ready to serve. Just brush them with the barbecue sauce and finish them on the grill a few minutes before serving to heat them through and caramelize the sauce.

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!

Can I freeze Coca Cola ribs?

Yes! Roast the ribs, cool completely and freeze. Thaw overnight and finish on the grill with fresh barbecue sauce.

Have a question that I didn't cover?

Pop your question in the comments section below and I will answer pronto!

Coca-Cola Ribs (Grandpa's Tender Baby Back Rib Recipe)

Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs

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The secret ingredient to these tender, delicious Grandpa’s Coca-Cola Ribs? Coca-Cola, slow roasting and a whole lot of family love.

Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 150 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 8 1x
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

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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.

Find it online: https://www.framedcooks.com/grandpas-coca-cola-ribs/