These ribs are absolutely delicious, fall off the bone, tender. My homemade bbq sauce is so simple and easy, yet delivers a huge hit of flavour. This bbq sauce is super basic. There are many, many other recipes out there using molasses, liquid smoke and many other ingredients the average home cook might not have in their pantry. That is why I decided post this very easy recipe. The bbq sauce is made directly from the same cooking liquid that the ribs cook in. You can't get easier than that.
I also used Diet Coke! Yes, a lot of recipes that use Coca-Cola as an ingredient, always specify NO DIET! Well I am here to tell you that I have always had success with this recipe using diet. Mainly because it is what I have at home. The beauty of this recipe, again, is it's simplicity.
If you do not have a slow cooker, you can just cook the ribs on the stovetop, covered, on the lowest heat possible.
After the are braised, they are placed under the grill/ broiler in your oven until they are beautifully caramelized and slightly charred. They are so good.
This particular evening, I took them off the bone and topped my loaded nachos with them. Unbelievable.
Enjoy xoxo
Slow Cooker Coca-cola Baby Back Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce
Serves 4
4 1/2 hours for the ribs and finishing the sauce
Finished bbq sauce will keep in an airtight jar/container for up to 5 days. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
For the ribs:
1.000 kg. Pork baby back ribs
2 cups Tomato ketchup]
1 cup Brown sugar
330 ml. Diet Coke (1 can), plus enough water or chicken stock to ensure ribs are completely submerged in liquid.
6 Garlic cloves, minced
1 Onion, roughly chopped
2 Bay leaves
1 tbsp. Tomato puree concentrate
1 tbsp. American mustard, such as French's
1 tbsp. Sweet paprika
60 ml. (4 tbsp.) Red, white or apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp. Worchester sauce
1 tsp. Fine sea salt
*1 tsp. Cayenne pepper, optional
1. Place ribs and all ingredients in slow cooker. Make sure ribs are completely submerged. Add water, more Diet Coke or chicken stock to achieve this. Cook in a slow cooker for 3- 31/2 hours on high, or 6-7 hours on low.
2. Preheat oven grill/ broiler to highest setting.
Remove ribs from slow cooker onto oven baking tray/sheet
Baste with finished bbq sauce below and grill until caramelized and slightly charred, about 10-15 minutes. (ovens vary, do not walk away!)
To finish the bbq sauce:
Remove ribs to oven baking tray/sheet
1. Strain sauce through a fine mesh sieve and place in a saucepan.
To the sauce add the following,
1/2 cup Tomato ketchup
1 tsp. American mustard
1/4 cup Brown sugar
Salt and black pepper to taste
Cook on a low simmer until reduced and thickened. Mine took 20 mins.
Transfer to a suitable jar or container and reserve to baste ribs before grilling/ broiling.
Serve remaining sauce warm to dip the ribs or save in refrigerator for later uses.
Place slow cooked ribs on baking sheet to finish off in oven.
