Description
Succulent slow cooker root beef bbq pork ribs promise a mouthwatering journey through tender, fall-apart meat infused with rich barbecue flavors. Hearty comfort awaits those who savor this simple yet irresistible dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) pork side ribs (approximately 2 racks)
- 24 oz (710 ml) root beer (equivalent to 2 cans of 12 oz each)
- 2 cups (480 ml) barbecue sauce, prepared
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Membrane Removal: Delicately strip away the tough silver membrane from the rib rack’s backside using a spoon or butter knife, ensuring complete removal for maximum tenderness.
- Seasoning Preparation: Uniformly coat both sides of the ribs with salt and black pepper, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Slow Cooker Setup: Nestle the seasoned ribs inside a 6-quart slow cooker, arranging them to minimize overlapping while maximizing cooking efficiency.
- Liquid Infusion: Completely submerge the ribs in root beer, allowing the liquid to tenderize and impart a subtle sweetness throughout the cooking process.
- Initial Cooking Phase: Slow cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3 hours, transforming the meat into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
- Sauce Application: Discard the cooking liquid, then generously brush the ribs with barbecue sauce, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Caramelization Stage: Return ribs to the slow cooker, set to high, and cook for an additional hour to intensify flavor and create a rich, sticky glaze.
- Final Finishing: Transfer ribs to a broiler-safe pan, apply an extra layer of barbecue sauce, and broil for 3-5 minutes to achieve a perfect caramelized exterior.
- Serving Preparation: Allow ribs to rest briefly, then plate alongside classic accompaniments like coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or roasted vegetables for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Membrane Removal Technique: Completely remove the tough silver skin from rib backs using a spoon or knife for maximum tenderness and better sauce absorption.
- Seasoning Strategy: Distribute salt and pepper evenly across both rib surfaces to create a balanced flavor foundation before slow cooking.
- Liquid Selection Tip: Root beer acts as a natural meat tenderizer, introducing subtle sweetness and helping break down protein fibers during cooking.
- Caramelization Hack: Broiling after slow cooking creates a crispy exterior and intensifies barbecue sauce flavors, providing restaurant-quality finish at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg