Sweet Cola Ribs

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 15 hr 10 min
  • Prep: 15 min
  • Inactive: 12 hr
  • Cook: 2 hr 55 min
The Neelys say, "These ribs will blow you away. The smoke and indirect heat leave you with deliciously tender ribs while the cola packs a punch of unexpected sweetness. Our secret is removing the fatty membrane from the ribs before cooking and glazing them to sweet perfection at the end of the grill time. Perfection!"
Advertisement

Ingredients

Sweet Cola Barbecue Sauce:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cups ketchup

1 can cola

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tablespoon onion powder

1/2 tablespoon ground mustard

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Dry Rub:

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

Ribs:

2 racks pork spare ribs (about 3 pound each)

Directions

  1. For the sauce:
  2. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add oil. Once heated, add the onion and garlic and saute until tender. Add all the remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.
  3. For the dry rub:
  4. Whisk all dry ingredients together in a small bowl. This can be stored up to 6 months in an airtight container.
  5. For the ribs:
  6. Rinse and dry ribs. Place on a clean cutting board, pull off the membrane and trim the ribs of excess fat. Liberally season both sides of the ribs with rub. Wrap ribs with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 to 12 hours so flavors can permeate.
  7. Preheat grill to 250 degrees F. using hickory and charcoal. Set up your grill for indirect heat.
  8. Place ribs, meatier side down, on the grill away from the coals. Close grill cover. Cook the pork ribs for 1 hour 15 minutes; flipping several times for even cook. Coat ribs with sweet cola barbecue sauce and cook for another 20 minutes.

Cook’s Note

Reserve some of the sauce for dipping when the ribs are served.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

BETH C.

A definite keeper.   Ribs were tender as well as flavorful. 

See All Reviews