These slow cooker cherry cola ribs are so tender and delicious!

Tender slow cooker ribs glazed with cherry cola BBQ sauce and served with fresh herbs on a white platter — Sweet, sticky, and fall-off-the-bone—these cherry cola ribs are a slow cooker sensation!

These Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs are fall off the bone tender with a delicious sweet glazy sauce made with bbq sauce, cherry cola, cherry juice and brown sugar. These are my new favorite way to make ribs, so full of flavor and perfectly tender.

There is nothing I love more a delicious, easy dinner that I can just throw in the slow cooker that everyone will love and these ribs fit the bill.

The mouthwatering combination of tender ribs cooked to perfection in cherry cola. This unexpected twist on a classic dish will leave you craving more. These fall-off-the-bone ribs with a sweet and tangy flavor will have your guests asking for seconds.

I love that I can just throw everything in the slow cooker and have a delicious, flavorful meal that everyone really enjoys. Whenever I find a recipe that everyone in my house eats that is a win! And for it to be in the slow cooker? That’s a double win!

These slow cooker cherry cola ribs are good for so many reasons. The combination of sweet cherry cola and savory spices creates a unique flavor profile that truly sets these ribs apart. The slow cooking process ensures that the meat is incredibly tender and practically falls off the bone. The sticky, finger-licking good glaze adds a layer of irresistible sweetness that perfectly complements the rich, smoky flavors of the ribs. With each bite, you’ll experience a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes that will have your taste buds singing. These ribs are not just delicious; they are a culinary experience that will keep you coming back for more.

The slow cooker is a great way to get perfect ribs. The cherry coke bbq sauce is the best part of this easy recipe. It is one of my favorite summertime recipes for summer barbecues.

And when it comes to serving and enjoying these slow cooker cherry cola ribs, it’s all about creating a memorable dining experience. As you carefully plate up the tender, glazed ribs, take a moment to appreciate the rich aroma and mouth-watering appearance. Each bite should be savored, allowing the flavors to fully develop on your palate. Whether you’re enjoying them at a backyard barbecue or a cozy dinner at home, these ribs are sure to impress your guests and leave everyone reaching for seconds. Get ready to discover why these slow cooker cherry cola ribs are a game-changer in the world of BBQ. Easy dinner starts with a few simple steps to prepare and cook these mouthwatering ribs.

This is a great recipe to get saucy ribs on the table in no time.

I love that you can customize this to your family’s taste, make it spicy, sweeter, add your favorite seasonings, change the flavor of the preserves you can totally make this recipe your own.

Next time you want a family-friendly dinner even the pickiest kids will love throw these ingredients together and let the slow cooker take care of the rest!

Slow cooker cherry cola ribs are a game-changer in the world of barbecue. The tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs cooked in a delicious cherry cola glaze will leave your taste buds singing. Impress your guests with this unexpected twist on a classic dish and elevate your barbecue skills to a whole new level. Don’t wait any longer, try this mouthwatering recipe today and prepare to be amazed.

I promise your whole family will love these Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs.

You will want to make this dinner again and again! We do!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of ribs?

Yes! Baby back ribs are my favorite because they’re tender and cook quickly, but spare ribs, St. Louis-style ribs, country-style ribs, or even boneless pork ribs all work well. Just adjust the cooking time if needed.

Why use Cherry Cola?

Cherry cola adds sweetness along with subtle cherry and caramel flavors that pair perfectly with barbecue sauce. As the ribs cook, the soda helps create a rich, sticky glaze that’s absolutely delicious.

Can I finish the ribs on the grill?

Definitely! After slow cooking, brush the ribs with the reduced sauce and place them on a hot grill for just a few minutes per side. This gives them beautiful caramelized edges and a smoky grilled flavor.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs are a great make-ahead meal. Cook them the day before, refrigerate them in the sauce, then reheat and broil or grill just before serving.

Can I freeze Cherry Cola Ribs?

Absolutely. Store the ribs with plenty of sauce in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What barbecue sauce works best?

Use your family’s favorite! Sweet Baby Ray’s, honey barbecue, hickory smoke, or a spicy barbecue sauce all work beautifully. Every sauce gives the ribs a slightly different flavor, so it’s easy to customize.

Why are my ribs falling apart?

That’s actually a good thing! It means they’re perfectly tender. If you’d like them to hold together a little more, shorten the cooking time by about 30–45 minutes depending on your slow cooker.

What should I serve this with?

I love these over mashed potatoes or white rice but it is also great served with macaroni and cheese or this Bacon Pimento Cheese Potato Salad.

Ingredients used for these slow cooker coca cola ribs

Baby back ribs- I love using these ribs but you can use beef ribs or boneless ribs.
Brown sugar- This sweetens the sauce and helps it thicken.
Smoked paprika- I like to use the smoked because it adds a great smoky flavor.
Onion powder- You can use the powder or the minced kind.
Garlic salt- You can substitute garlic powder if that is what you have on hand.
Honey- This sweetens everything up and helps everything get glazy.
BBQ sauce- Use your favorite brand barbecue sauce.
Cherry Cola- This is what gives the sauce sweetness and helps tenderize the ribs.
Maraschino cherry juice- This adds more sweetness to the ribs and gives them a great color.

How to make these Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs

FULL RECIPE BELOW
Place the ribs into the slow cooker.
Sprinkle the garlic salt, black pepper, onion powder and smoked paprika over the ribs.
In a bowl combine 1 cup of bbq sauce, the cherry cola, the brown sugar and the cherry juice.
Pour half of the mixture over the ribs, reserve the other half for later.
Cook the ribs on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours until the ribs are tender.
In a skillet or saucepan add the remaining cherry cola mixture and the remaining 1 cup of bbq sauce.
Whisk over medium high heat until the sauce comes up to a bubble and cooks down until nice and glazy, about 10 minutes.
Remove the ribs and place on a foil lined baking sheet or sheet pan.
Once the sauce is glazy and thick brush the sauce onto the top of the ribs.
Place the ribs under the broiler until lightly caramelized. You can brush ribs with more extra sauce before serving if you like.
Serve!
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

When To Serve This Recipe

These Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs are perfect for:

Summer cookouts
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Backyard BBQs
Pool parties
Sunday family dinners
Tailgating
Father’s Day
Anytime you’re craving tender barbecue ribs without firing up the grill

Serving Ideas

These ribs pair perfectly with:

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Baked Beans
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Creamy Coleslaw
Corn on the Cob
Macaroni and Cheese
Potato Salad
Baked Potatoes
Garlic Bread
Roasted Vegetables
Watermelon

Storage & Make Ahead

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently in the oven, microwave, or slow cooker until heated through.

Freeze for up to 2 months with plenty of the sauce to keep them moist.

More Delicious Soda-Inspired Slow Cooker Recipes

If you love the sweet, rich flavor that cola adds to slow cooker meals, these easy recipes are sure to become family favorites. From tender barbecue meats and hearty sandwiches to comforting side dishes, these soda-inspired recipes are packed with bold flavor and are perfect for busy weeknights, cookouts, and family gatherings. They prove that your favorite soft drink can do so much more than fill a glass!

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Shredded Beef – fall-apart tender shredded beef slow cooked in a sweet and savory Dr Pepper sauce that’s perfect for sandwiches or hearty dinners.
Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Sloppy Joes – a sweet and tangy twist on classic sloppy joes that’s quick to prepare and always a family favorite.
Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Baked Beans – sweet, smoky baked beans make the perfect side dish for barbecues, potlucks, and summer cookouts.
Slow Cooker Dr Pepper BBQ Rib Bites – tender boneless ribs coated in a rich, sweet, and smoky barbecue sauce for an easy comfort food dinner.
Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork – tender pulled pork slow cooked with root beer creates a sweet and savory meal that’s perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or family dinners.
Coca-Cola Ham – tender ham glazed with a sweet and savory Coca-Cola sauce makes an easy holiday centerpiece or comforting family dinner.

Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs

Name: Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: About 3 pounds of baby back ribs; 1 teaspoon garlic salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 cups of bbq sauce, divided; 2 cups cherry cola; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; ⅓ cup maraschino cherry juice

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

These Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs are fall off the bone tender with a delicious sweet glazy sauce made with bbq sauce, cherry cola, cherry juice and brown sugar. These are my new favorite way to make ribs, so full of flavor and perfectly tender.

No Ratings

Ingredients

About 3 pounds of baby back ribs
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 cups of bbq sauce, divided
2 cups cherry cola
2 tablespoons brown sugar
⅓ cup maraschino cherry juice

Instructions

Place the ribs into the slow cooker.
Sprinkle the garlic salt, black pepper, onion powder and smoked paprika over the ribs.
In a bowl combine 1 cup of bbq sauce, the cherry cola, the brown sugar and the cherry juice.
Pour half of the mixture over the ribs, reserve the other half for later.
Cook the ribs on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours until the ribs are tender.
In a skillet or saucepan add the remaining cherry cola mixture and the remaining 1 cup of bbq sauce.
Whisk over medium high heat until the sauce comes up to a bubble and cooks down until nice and glazy, about 10 minutes.
Remove the ribs and place on a foil lined baking sheet.
Once the sauce is glazy and thick brush the sauce onto the ribs.
Place the ribs under the broiler until lightly caramelized.
Serve!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can use any cut of ribs you like. This will also work with boneless ribs, just adjust your cook time accordingly.
You can a bit of red pepper flake for kick.
I like to use maraschino juice because of it’s high sugar content but you can use any cherry juice you like.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1319Total Fat: 65gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 38gCholesterol: 247mgSodium: 2637mgCarbohydrates: 110gFiber: 3gSugar: 93gProtein: 70g

Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs

These Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Ribs are fall off the bone tender with a delicious sweet glazy sauce made with bbq sauce, cherry cola, cherry juice and brown sugar. These are my new favorite way to make ribs, so full of flavor and perfectly tender.