Effortlessly Tender Instant Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ Pork Ribs: Your Ultimate 3-Ingredient Recipe
Imagine succulent, fall-apart tender pork ribs, infused with a sweet and tangy Dr. Pepper BBQ glaze, ready in a fraction of the time. These Instant Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ Pork Ribs are a game-changer, transforming boneless country style ribs into an unforgettable meal with minimal effort. Prepared swiftly in your pressure cooker and then kissed with that irresistible Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce on your grill or in your oven, this recipe promises juicy, flavorful results every single time. Get your napkins ready – it’s time to dig in!
Are you ready to elevate your BBQ experience? These Instant Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs are designed to revolutionize your weeknight dinners and impress at your next gathering. With the magic of the Instant Pot, you’ll achieve that coveted melt-in-your-mouth tenderness in about an hour, making gourmet-quality ribs accessible even on your busiest days. Forget long hours of simmering; the pressure cooker streamlines the process without sacrificing an ounce of flavor or texture.
This post is proudly sponsored by Iowa Pork. All opinions, as well as my enduring love for their products and commitment to quality, are entirely my own.
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From Slow Cooker Sensation to Instant Pot Marvel
For a long time, my Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Pork Ribs have held the top spot as my most beloved and frequently made recipe. The sheer volume of positive feedback and daily comments praising their tenderness and incredible flavor confirmed that it was a recipe many of you cherished. The thought of adapting this fan-favorite for the Instant Pot had been simmering in my mind, promising an even quicker path to BBQ perfection.
The perfect opportunity arose when I received a call from my wonderful partners at Iowa Pork. They tasked me with developing a new pork recipe, and after much discussion, we agreed: transforming this already popular Dr. Pepper BBQ rib recipe into an Instant Pot version, using versatile country style boneless pork ribs, was an absolute must. This collaboration allowed me to bring a faster, equally delicious option to your kitchen, featuring the high-quality pork Iowa is renowned for.
Why Choose the Instant Pot for Your BBQ Ribs?
The Instant Pot is more than just a kitchen gadget; it’s a culinary time-saver. Pressure cooking offers unparalleled speed and convenience, making it ideal for busy families or anyone looking to enjoy incredible meals without the long wait. Once your ingredients are in, the Instant Pot handles most of the work, allowing you to focus on other tasks. It’s truly a “hands-off” cooking experience.
One of the Instant Pot’s most brilliant features, especially during warmer months, is its ability to keep your kitchen cool. Unlike traditional stovetop or oven cooking, which can quickly heat your home, the Instant Pot generates minimal ambient heat. This means you can enjoy perfectly cooked, tender pork ribs even on the hottest summer days without breaking a sweat. It cooks in minutes rather than hours, making it a winning situation for any home chef seeking efficiency and comfort.
^Love these tender Instant Pot BBQ Ribs? Pin them for later!^
While my original slow cooker recipe called for finishing the ribs with caramelized Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce in the oven, this Instant Pot method offers the perfect opportunity to fire up the grill. Grilling adds a beautiful char and smoky flavor that perfectly complements the sweet and tangy glaze, keeping your kitchen cool during summer cookouts. However, this recipe isn’t exclusively for summer. I’ve included detailed instructions for both finishing methods—on the grill and in the oven—so you can enjoy these delicious ribs year-round, no matter the weather.
When cooking pork ribs to achieve optimal tenderness, there’s no need to meticulously measure their internal temperature. The key is simply to cook them until they are incredibly tender and practically falling off the bone. This intuitive approach ensures maximum succulence and a truly enjoyable eating experience.
If you’re looking for another fantastic way to prepare BBQ Pork Ribs, consider boiling them in beer until they reach peak tenderness. Afterward, transfer them to your grill for a slight char, then generously slather them with your favorite Homemade BBQ Sauce for a truly exceptional flavor profile.
Just 3 Simple Ingredients for Amazing Instant Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs:
- **Country Style Boneless Pork Ribs:** The star of our show, these ribs are meaty, easy to eat, and absorb flavor beautifully.
- **Two Cans of Dr. Pepper Soda:** This iconic soda isn’t just for drinking; it’s a secret ingredient for tenderizing meat and adding a unique sweet and spiced flavor.
- **Your Favorite Barbecue Sauce:** The perfect finishing touch, providing that classic BBQ tang and sweetness.
It really doesn’t get much simpler than three core ingredients, does it? This minimalist approach ensures that the quality of each component shines through, delivering maximum flavor with minimum fuss.
Choosing Your Pork Ribs
My personal preference for this recipe leans towards boneless country style pork ribs. They are wonderfully meaty, making them incredibly satisfying and easy to enjoy with just a fork – perfect for maintaining a little “ladylike” decorum while indulging in delicious barbecue! These ribs are essentially cuts from the pork shoulder and offer a consistent texture and rich flavor that holds up beautifully to pressure cooking.
**f.a.q. – “Can I make this recipe with bone-in ribs?”** — Absolutely! I recently made this exact recipe using bone-in pork ribs, and the results were just as fantastic. The cooking time and method remain the same, ensuring you achieve that same irresistible tenderness.
For this recipe, three pounds of boneless country style pork ribs fit perfectly in the bottom of my 6-quart Instant Pot. It’s crucial to arrange them in a single layer to ensure even cooking and optimal tenderness. If you have a smaller Instant Pot, you may need to adjust the quantity of ribs accordingly to prevent overcrowding. Overstacking can lead to uneven cooking, so always prioritize a single layer if possible.
The Dr. Pepper Difference
For this particular batch of Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, I opted for Dr. Pepper Cherry, which added a delightful hint of sweet cherry flavor to the succulent pork. The slight variation was a pleasant surprise, complementing the richness of the ribs beautifully. Of course, the classic regular Dr. Pepper works absolutely wonderfully, delivering that signature complex flavor profile that makes these ribs so distinctive.
**f.a.q. – “Can I use another soda?” or “Can I use diet Dr. Pepper?”** — Yes, you certainly can! I’ve successfully experimented with both cola and root beer, and both yielded delicious results, though the final flavor profile will be subtly different. If you’re mindful of your sugar intake, diet soda varieties also work perfectly well. The carbonation and unique spice blends of these sodas contribute to both tenderizing the meat and creating a rich, flavorful base.
To properly cook the ribs in the Instant Pot, one can of Dr. Pepper (or your chosen soda) is usually sufficient to cover the ribs when they are arranged in a single layer. This ensures they are fully submerged in the flavorful liquid, allowing the pressure cooker to work its magic and tenderize the meat to perfection.
Crafting the Dr. Pepper BBQ Glaze
The second can of Dr. Pepper isn’t just for cooking; it’s essential for creating that irresistible BBQ sauce. A portion of the second can of soda is whisked together with some of your favorite bottled barbecue sauce. Here in our kitchen, Honey Sweet Baby Ray’s is a consistent favorite for its balanced sweetness and tang. This step allows for fantastic customization: if you prefer a little heat, feel free to choose a spicier BBQ sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to kick things up a notch.
And the rest of that second can? That’s your reward! Pour it over ice, find a comfortable spot, and put your feet up while your Instant Pot expertly handles all the hard work. You’ve earned a refreshing break!
Finishing Your Ribs: Grill or Oven?
Once the pork ribs are perfectly cooked and incredibly tender in the pressure cooker, you’ll need to remove them very carefully. They will be so soft that they can literally fall apart with minimal handling! Transfer them gently to your preheated grill. Brush the tops generously with your homemade Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. Grill for about 10 minutes, allowing that delicious sauce to caramelize and adhere beautifully. Then, carefully flip the ribs and repeat the process on the other side, grilling for another 10 minutes until both sides are coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze.
As mentioned earlier, these Instant Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ ribs aren’t just for summer grilling. You can achieve that same mouth-watering caramelized finish right in your oven. Simply preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the tender ribs on a rack positioned over a baking sheet. Brush them liberally with the Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, bake for 10 minutes, then flip, brush the other side, and bake for another 10 minutes. This method works perfectly for any season, ensuring delectable ribs no matter the weather outside.
Serving Suggestions & Leftovers
Aren’t these Instant Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ Pork Ribs absolutely gorgeous? Their deep, rich color and glossy glaze are as inviting as their aroma. We love serving ours with classic, comforting sides like our favorite potato salad, creamy coleslaw, or fresh corn on the cob. The beauty of great barbecue is its simplicity; you don’t need anything fancy for side dishes when the main event steals the show with such incredible flavor and tenderness!
If you’re fortunate enough to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence with ribs this good!), don’t let them go to waste. Shred the leftover pork and transform it into these amazing BBQ Pork Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. They make for a truly elevated and satisfying next-day meal that might just rival the original!
Did You Know: Iowa is a Leader in Pork Production!
It might surprise many of you, given my frequent mentions of Nebraska, but my husband actually grew up on a farm in rural Iowa. His family cultivated corn and soybeans and raised hogs, in addition to owning a local fertilizer and anhydrous business. This personal connection gives me a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Iowa’s farming community.
When I first visited the farm to meet his parents, they were quite amused by what a “city girl” he had brought home. I know, for those reading this from bustling metropolises like New York City or Los Angeles, “Omaha” might not sound like a “big city.”
However, compared to his hometown of just 300 residents, Omaha felt like a thriving metropolis to them! I had never seen a hog up close, nor did I even know what a combine was. We spent countless weekends there during the early years of our marriage and family life. Our children grew up riding in tractors, feeding the farm cats, and quickly learned the meaning behind his father’s phrase, “that’s the smell of money.”
These crops and hogs were the very essence of their livelihood. It’s a powerful reminder that when you purchase high-quality pork at your grocery store, anywhere across the United States, you are directly supporting local family farms in Iowa and other agricultural regions. In fact, a remarkable one-third of all pork raised in the United States originates from the farms of Iowa, highlighting the state’s significant contribution to our nation’s food supply.
Significant advancements in technology over the past three decades have revolutionized hog farming. Today, most pigs are raised in climate-controlled buildings, which effectively keeps them cool during the heat of summer and warm throughout the winter months. For pig farmers, the primary priorities are consistently animal well-being and ensuring the utmost food safety. Regardless of a farm’s size, it’s essential to remember that a dedicated family stands behind the operation, working diligently to bring quality pork to your table.
Pork: Delicious and Nutritious!
Pork is an excellent choice for a healthy diet, not only for its incredible flavor but also for its robust nutritional profile. It is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. Incorporating lean cuts of pork into your meals helps you meet your daily recommended protein intake and provides a rich source of vital vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (B12, niacin, thiamine), zinc, iron, and phosphorus, all crucial for overall health and well-being.
Beyond its fundamental nutritional contributions, including pork in your diet can offer several benefits. Its high protein content helps you feel fuller for longer periods, which can be advantageous for managing appetite and supporting weight loss efforts. This sustained satiety can also contribute to lower post-meal glucose and insulin levels, making it a smart protein choice for maintaining stable energy throughout the day.
Pork is particularly beneficial for aging adults, as its protein and nutrient density can help combat the natural loss of bone density and muscle mass (sarcopenia) that often occurs with age. Furthermore, it is a fantastic source of Vitamin B12, a nutrient where deficiency is commonly observed in adults over the age of 65, playing a crucial role in nerve function and red blood cell formation.
Be sure to follow along with Iowa Pork on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for an abundance of delicious pork recipes and culinary inspiration all year ’round!
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get cooking and create some of these incredibly tender and flavorful Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Pork Ribs tonight! You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can achieve restaurant-quality barbecue right in your own kitchen.
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Print Recipe
Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Pork Ribs
Equipment
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Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless country pork ribs
- 2 cans Dr. Pepper divided
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
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Place ribs in a single layer in the bottom of your Instant Pot.
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Pour one can of Dr. Pepper over the top.
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Cover with the lid, and lock into place. Make sure the quick release is set to the pressure position.
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Cook on high for 40 minutes.
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Allow natural release for 15 minutes. Carefully remove any excess pressure. Remove lid.
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Remove ribs from pressure cooker.
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Combine 3/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce with 1/2 cup Dr. Pepper.
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To finish on the grill: Set grill to 350 degrees. Place ribs on the grill and brush Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce on the top. Close grill and in 10 minutes flip the ribs over and brush the other side with BBQ sauce. Grill 10 minutes more.
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To finish in the oven: preheat oven to 400 degrees. Carefully place ribs on a rack over a baking sheet. Brush the tops with BBQ sauce. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip, brush with BBQ sauce, Bake for 10 minutes more.
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Serve with extra sauce for dipping.
Notes
- I used Cherry Dr. Pepper. You can use regular Dr. Pepper or Diet. It will also work well with root beer or cola, but the flavor will be a bit different.
- Be really careful when moving the ribs after you take them out of the pressure cooker. They are so tender, they fall apart easily.
Nutrition