These crockpot root beer ribs are fall off the bone good! With just four ingredients they are so easy to make too.
As a busy mom, I’m all about crockpot recipes. I need all the easy dinner wins I can get. These crockpot root beer ribs are an easy dump and go recipe and are super family friendly too.
These ribs are a great toss and go crockpot recipe. If you need more super easy crockpot dinner ideas my family loves these crockpot cilantro lime chicken tacos and these crockpot smothered chicken thighs.
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💭 Why you’ll love this recipe
This recipe is so simple, you just need a few ingredients. These ribs are super tender and flavorful too.
🍖Ingredients needed
You just need a few simple ingredients for this recipe:
- Barbecue sauce: Use your favorite brand. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s.
- Root beer: Use regular soda and not diet. Root beer and other sodas can actually work as a meat tenderizer.
- Pork ribs: I used pork ribs but you can also substitute beef ribs.
- Salt and pepper: I recommend doing a little salt and pepper to taste.
🧂 Variations
Not a fan of root beer or don’t have any on hand? You can also make these with Dr. Pepper or cola too. Be sure to use regular and not diet soda.
🔪 Equipment needed
You will need a six quart or larger crockpot (slow cooker).
⏲️ Recipe instructions (step by step guide)
Cut your rack of ribs in half (image 1).
Spray your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray and add the ribs (image 2).
Next, add the salt, pepper, root beer, and barbecue sauce (image 3). Leave a little barbecue sauce to cover the ribs in for serving. The ribs do not need to be completely submerged in the liquid.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Ribs should reach an internal temp of 145 degrees.
🥗 What to serve with this recipe
This is a really versatile recipe. You could serve these ribs with crockpot baked beans, corn soufflé, copycat Rudy’s creamed corn, potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, or if you’re on a soda kick why not try this fruit salad with sprite.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Cut your ribs in half so they cook evenly.
- Do not use diet soda in this recipe.
🥡 How to store leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight food storage container in your fridge. They will be good for up to four days after making.
📋 Recipe FAQs
They do not need to be completely covered in liquid. Some liquid will help them cook but they do not need to be completely covered in it.
Cook them low and slow (6+ hours) with a little bit of liquid.
You will get more tender ribs by cooking them on low for 6 to 8 hours.
No, meat doesn’t need to be completely submerged in liquid in your crockpot or slow cooker. Most meats just need a little bit of liquid in the slow cooker.
Other easy crockpot recipes:
If you tried these Crockpot Root Beer Ribs or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you!
Crockpot Root Beer Ribs
Equipment
- Crockpot (slow cooker) 6 quart or larger
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork back ribs you can sub beef ribs, if needed
- 1 bottle barbecue sauce about, 18 ounces (use your favorite brand)
- 8 ounces root beer (one cup)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut your rack of ribs in half.
- Spray your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray and add the ribs.
- Next, add the salt, pepper, root beer, and barbecue sauce. Leave a little barbecue sauce to cover the ribs in for serving.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Ribs should reach an internal temp of 145 degrees.
Estelle Chisholm says
I notice that with this recipe as well as the chicken recipes, you do not add any other items like onions, garlic, celery, herbs to add more flavor interest to the recipe. If I made any of these (I did print 3 chicken recipes and will augment them with herbs and in a couple, onions and garlic). I may add some onion to the chicken and peach preserve recipe and maybe a tablespoon of madeira wine plus fresh ground pepper.
Audrey Wood says
Hi Estelle, I love your suggestions. You can definitely play around with some of these simple crockpot recipes to your own taste. I hope everything turns out tasty for you.
Sharon Skinner says
FYI wlhen ypu change the amount, from 1x to 2x it says 16oz of root beer but still says one cup, two bottles of bbq sauce but still says 18oz.
Liz says
The root beer provided a delicious sweetness to the ribs. What a marvelous recipe!!!