Description
Slow cooker root beer BBQ pork ribs bring Southern comfort straight to your kitchen with minimal effort. Tender meat falls off the bone, glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce that promises a mouthwatering meal perfect for family gatherings or weekend barbecues.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) pork side ribs (approximately 2 racks)
Liquids:
- 24 ounces (710 milliliters) root beer (equivalent to 2 cans of 12 ounces each)
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) barbecue sauce, prepared
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the pork ribs by placing them on a clean cutting board. Carefully remove the tough silver membrane from the back of the rack using a spoon or butter knife, gripping and peeling it off completely to ensure tender meat.
- Generously season both sides of the ribs with salt and black pepper, ensuring an even coating that will enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Arrange the seasoned ribs carefully inside a 6-quart (5.7 liters) slow cooker, positioning them to fit snugly without excessive overlapping.
- Pour root beer over the ribs until they are completely covered with liquid, which will help tenderize the meat and infuse a subtle sweetness during cooking.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low temperature for 5 hours or high temperature for 3 hours, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Once cooking is complete, gently remove the ribs from the slow cooker and discard the root beer liquid. Return the ribs to the cooking vessel.
- Liberally brush each rib with barbecue sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor penetration.
- Increase the slow cooker temperature to high and continue cooking for an additional 60 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and thicken around the ribs.
- For enhanced caramelization, transfer the sauced ribs to a broiler-safe pan and apply an extra layer of barbecue sauce. Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove the ribs from the broiler, letting them rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and the sauce to set.
- Serve the succulent ribs immediately alongside classic accompaniments like coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Tackle tough silver skin removal using a spoon or butter knife for clean, tender ribs.
- Submerge seasoned ribs completely in root beer, transforming tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
- Boost flavor intensity by generously coating ribs with barbecue sauce during final slow cooking hour.
- Create irresistible caramelized exterior through quick broiling, adding crispy texture and rich color.
- Pair succulent ribs with classic Southern sides like tangy coleslaw or hearty baked beans for complete meal experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 700 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 150mg