The Neelys Sweet Cola Ribs

Get ready to experience a mouthwatering barbecue classic with The Neelys Sweet Cola Ribs—an irresistible combination of tender, fall-off-the-bone pork spareribs and a luscious homemade cola barbecue sauce. This recipe starts with a flavorful dry rub of brown sugar, paprika, and aromatic spices, ensuring every bite is packed with bold, savory goodness. The ribs slowly roast in the oven for perfect tenderness, while the sauce—a tangy-sweet mix of cola, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of smoky heat—simmers to perfection. Finished on the grill or under the broiler for a sticky caramelized crust, these ribs are an absolute crowd-pleaser. Perfect for summer cookouts or game-day gatherings, this recipe is a must-try for BBQ lovers!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pounds pork spareribs
• 0.5 cups brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups cola (regular, not diet)
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cups apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
• 2 tablespoons honey

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).

Step 2

Place the ribs on a large baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the dry rub.

Step 4

Rub the spice mixture generously over both sides of the ribs, ensuring an even coating.

Step 5

Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place them in the preheated oven. Cook for 3 hours until the ribs are tender.

Step 6

While the ribs are cooking, prepare the cola barbecue sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cola, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, liquid smoke (if using), and honey. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cook the sauce for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 8

After 3 hours, remove the ribs from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil.

Step 9

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat or set your oven to broil.

Step 10

Brush the ribs generously with the cola barbecue sauce on both sides.

Step 11

Grill or broil the ribs for 5–10 minutes, turning once and brushing more sauce as needed, until they develop a nice caramelized surface.

Step 12

Remove the ribs from the grill or oven, slice into portions, and serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2770.7 grams (2770.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8123

Total Fat 639.80g	820%
Saturated Fat 234.30g	1172%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 1905mg	635%
Sodium 3714mg	161%
Total Carbohydrate 238.40g	87%
Dietary Fiber 4.90g	18%
Total Sugars 203.30g
Protein 274.00g	548%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 568mg	44%
Iron 20mg	109%
Potassium 4742mg	101%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 73.7%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 12.2%