Ready for the tastiest, most tender, most finger-licking ribs you’ve ever tasted? You’d better be, because this recipe gives new meaning to the term “sinful.” But despite the devilishly delicious taste, these ribs are actually pretty low on fat and calories. If you try one new recipe this barbeque season, this should be it!

Barbequed Dr. Pepper Ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 racks baby back ribs
• 1 2L bottle of Dr Pepper
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp canola oil or vegetable oil
• 1 onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:

Cut the ribs into sections containing two or three ribs each. Place the ribs in a baking dish or Ziploc freezer bag. Pour in Dr Pepper to cover them, reserving at least 1 cup for the sauce. Add the salt and soak the ribs in the fridge overnight (or at least 2 hours).

Heat the oven to 350°F. Drain and dry the ribs and then rub them with the chili powder. Place them in a single layer in a large baking dish, add a cup of water and cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 2 hours, until the meat nearly falls off the bone.

For the barbecue sauce, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant, then add the ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, cayenne and one cup of Dr Pepper. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Preheat the barbeque and brush the ribs with sauce. When the grill is hot, cook the ribs bone-side down on a cooler part for 10 to 15 minutes. Flip them and cook until lightly charred. Remove, brush on more sauce and serve.

Serves 4

Adapted from Men’s Health Dr. Pepper Ribs

The ribs after marinating and being rubbed with chili powder, ready to go into the oven!

The original recipe made only half as much sauce but it is just too good to make in such small quantities. I generally use about ¾ of the doubled recipe for my ribs and then save the rest for dipping or for another meal the next day.

Because I’m a mom and I’m busy, I streamline the process as much as possible. First, I marinate the ribs in two Ziploc freezer bags rather than dirtying up a baking dish. And instead of brushing each section of ribs with sauce, I just put them in a large pot once they’ve finished baking in the oven, pour half the sauce over them and shake the pot gently with the lid on to coat the ribs in sauce.

The finished ribs! No wonder there's always a disagreement about who gets the last one!

The end result is absolutely fabulous; tender, meaty, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. My sister is the one that first turned me on to this recipe and so far everyone I’ve met that has tried it has loved it. Check it out for yourself and welcome summer with the tastiest ribs imaginable!