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    Home » Easy Recipes » Appetizers

    Easy fork tender rootbeer ribs! Perfect ribs all year round.

    Published: Jun 27, 2020 · Modified: Jan 18, 2023 by Susan Moncrieff · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Delicious, easy to make ribs that turn out tender every time!

    Root beer ribs? Oh yeah! I remember these from years ago when my girlfriend and her husband made them for football parties when we lived in Canada.

    They are not your traditional ribs and are my absolute favorites!  What I like about them the most is you can easily make them in the winter if you don't have access to your grill.  They cook in the oven and are fall-apart tender.  The subtle hint of rootbeer makes these ribs absolutely delicious!  Just know, these ribs are EASY to make!

    Ingredients

    You won't believe how delicious the rootbeer and vanilla make these ribs!

    vanilla and rootbeer to be used for rootbeer ribs

    3 or 4 racks of ribs (pork back ribs).
    Seasoned salt (we use Red Robin but Lawry’s is great too!)
    1 Spanish onion (I use sweet onions)
    1 – 2-liter bottle root beer
    1 tbsp. vanilla
    BBQ sauce – use your favorite!

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 275 Fahrenheit
    Score the membrane of the backside of the rib rack in a diamond shape. It sounds harder than it is! This is what it should look like. Make sure to use a sharp knife and it's easy.

    scored design in ribs before they are cooked
    Score the ribs in a diamond shape. Sounds more complicated than it is!

    Season the ribs with your favorite seasoned salt.
    Spread sliced onions on the bottom of a large roasting pan.
    If ribs overlap or need to be layered, that’s OK!
    adding vanilla to rootbeer for rootbeer ribs
    Add 1 tablespoon vanilla to the bottle of root beer.
    Pour the root beer & vanilla mixture over the ribs. Yes, ALL of it!
    Cover with a lid (or, if you don’t have a lid, cover tightly with tin foil.

    pan of ribs covered tightly with aluminim foil
    Cover the pan tightly with tin foil.

    Bake for about 3 hours.  When the ribs pull apart easily (use tongs) they are done.

    The rootbeer ribs just smell soooooo good.
    Carefully move the ribs to a big jelly roll sheet/cookie sheet (I use two tongs). Make sure they are meat side UP.
    Add your favorite BBQ sauce.

    ribs with bbq sauce

    Then bake in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit. Baste with more sauce if your family is the saucy kind.
    OR
    If you can get to your grill, grill each side about 3-4 minutes, basting with more sauce when needed.
    Cut between every third rib. ENJOY!

    finished rootbeer ribs with grill marks

    The root beer helps make these ribs fall-apart tender. Perfect for a gathering of family and/or friends on a lazy weekend day in front of the TV! The bonus is, this recipe can make lots!! Do you have a young picky eater? Take them aside and tell them what the secret ingredient is :). They will enjoy knowing the secret as they devour them!  What kid wouldn't love root beer ribs :).

    Printable Recipe for these delicious rootbeer ribs!

     

    Rootbeer Ribs! Perfect ribs anytime of year.

    An easy recipe to make ribs!  This can be made inside and finished on the grill (if you'd like).  Or, they can be finished inside the oven.   Perfect ribs for any time of year.  The rootbeer gives it the most delicious flavor!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: meat
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Calories:
    Author: Susan Moncrieff

    Ingredients

    • 3 or 4 racks of ribs - pork back ribs.
    • Seasoned salt we use Red Robin but Lawry's is great too!
    • 1 Spanish onion I use sweet onions
    • 1 - 2 litre bottle rootbeer
    • 1 tbsp. vanilla
    • BBQ sauce - use your favorite!

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 275 Fahrenheit
    • Score the membrane of the back side of the rib rack in a diamond shape. Sounds harder than it is!
    • Season the ribs with your favorite seasoned salt.
    • Spread sliced onions on the bottom of a large roasting pan.
    • If ribs overlap or need to be layered, that's OK!
    • Add 1 tablespoon vanilla to the bottle of root beer.
    • Pour the root beer & vanilla mixture over the ribs. Yes, ALL of it!
    • Cover with a lid (or, if you don't have a lid, cover tightly with tin foil.
    • Bake for about 3 to 3 ½ hours.
    • After they are done baking, they look like this.

    And smell like this:

    • (just kidding, I'd share the smell if I could 🙂 ).
    • Carefully move the ribs to a big jelly roll sheet (I use two tongs). Make sure they are meat side UP.
    • Add your favorite BBQ sauce.
    • Then bake in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit. Baste with more sauce if your family is the saucy kind.
    • OR
    • If you can get to your grill, grill each side about 3-4 minutes, basting with more sauce when needed.
    • Cut between every third rib. ENJOY!
    • Don't forget the napkins!

    Notes

    To finish, you can grill each side for about 3-4 minutes to make them taste more like a grilled rib.  This is perfect for the summer or when you have easy access to the grill.
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    close up of grilled rootbeer ribs

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    1. Deep Web

      April 09, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      I have been reading out many of your stories and i can state clever stuff. I will definitely bookmark your site.

      Reply

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    I'm Susan Moncrieff! I love sharing easy recipes, especially those that take less than 30 minutes and have less than 5 ingredients. I'm passionate about gardening and creating flower planters. My home is 100 years old and sometimes you will see it in my posts! It was a true fixer upper and I love it!

    More about me →

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