Crock Pot Dr Pepper Rib Bites

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Crock Pot Dr Pepper Rib Bites are tender, saucy, and super easy to make with boneless rib meat simmered in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce!

A Simply Delicious Rib Bite Recipe

I’m all about a low and slow cooked dinner. The crock pot does most of the work and I end up with a tasty and tender dinner. It frees me up to go about my day and deal with other things and not have to stand over the stove. These rib bites come out with such great tender flavor and I will absolutely be a hit with your family too (plus, it makes your house smell AMAZING while it cooks!)

A bottle of Dr Pepper next to a pile of Dr Pepper Rib Bites with sauce on a pile of mashed potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I cook this on high instead?

It’s not recommended to cook on high as they won’t come out quite as tender. Also, whenever you are cooking cuts of meat, do not remove the lid at all while it cooks. I know it is tempting to check on it but let the slow cooker do what it was designed to do. Every time you remove the lid to check on the meat, it will take longer to cook and the meat can come out tough.

What to serve with Crock Pot Dr Pepper Rib Bites?

These Rib Bites are great all on their own, but, if you want to take advantage of the gravy then I would make mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles. Or serve it “BBQ style” with some baked beans and potato salad or some corn!

What are boneless ribs?

Boneless ribs are often labeled as country-style ribs at the grocery store. They are a flavorful cut of pork that becomes very tender when slow cooked.

Can I skip browning the meat?

If you’re pressed for time, you can skip the browning process. Browning adds extra flavor and color, but the recipe will still work without it.

What do I do if my sauce didn’t thicken up?

If you follow my directions as written, you should not have that problem. However, if you find the sauce is too thin for your liking, there are two things you can do. You can make a cornstarch slurry made from equal parts water and cornstarch and then add it to the pot. Turn it on high for about 30 minutes to thicken things up. Or, you can just leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking, listed in step 7, and it should thicken up.

How to store leftover Rib Bites?

Store leftover rib bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the slow cooker until warmed through. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Looking down on a Crock pot Dr Pepper Rib Bites with lots of sauce.

Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)

smoked paprika – you could use regular paprika but the smoked paprika gives it more of that “smoked all day” type flavor.
garlic powder
boneless ribs – these may be listed as boneless Country Style Ribs at your grocery store. Boneless beef ribs can be used.
barbecue sauce – whatever brand you prefer will work. You can even use your Homemade BBQ Sauce or a sugar free version.
Dr. Pepper– you can use Diet Dr Pepper or even Coke, but the flavor will obviously change but if need to keep the sugar down, that is the way to go.
brown sugar– if you’re looking for a sugar alternative, you can try honey.
Worcestershire sauce
apple cider vinegar – this might seem like a weird addition but that bit of vinegar acts as a tenderizer and offsets a bit of sweetness.

Boneless ribs, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oil, barbecue sauce, Dr Pepper, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar.

How To Make Crock Pot Dr Pepper Rib Bites

In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder. Season rib bites with the seasoning mixture and stir to make sure they all get coated with the seasoning. In a large skillet, add the oil. Once it is hot add in the rib pieces (being careful not to overcrowd the pan) and brown on both sides. If necessary, do this in batches. If you try to put too many at once in the skillet, they will steam and not brown. Remove lid for last 30 minutes to allow sauce to thicken into a glaze. Transfer rib pieces to a 5-6 quart slow cooker.

In a bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, Dr Pepper, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Pour this sauce over the rib bites. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours, until very tender.

Sauce being made in a bowl with seasoned rib meat, and a Crock Pot with Dr Pepper Rib Bites and extra glaze.

NOTE: it is not recommended to cook on high as the meat will not turn out as tender. Also, do not remove the lid while cooking. Set it and forget it. Constantly removing the lid to check on the meat will result in longer cooking times and less tender meat.