Root Beer Ribs: Braised in Root Beer, Finished on the Grill

Barbecue ribs are a classic, but braising them in root beer gives you a sticky, sweet, and smoky finish you won’t forget. The natural vanilla and spice notes of the soda pair perfectly with pork, creating a sauce that clings to every bite.

This recipe works for 1 rack of ribs (about 2–2.5 pounds) but scales easily to 2 racks if you’re cooking for a crowd. Either way, you’ll get fall-apart tender meat with caramelized edges after a quick finish on the grill.

Makes 1 rack (2–3 servings). Double for 2 racks (4–6 servings).

Root Beer Ribs Recipe

Sticky, smoky, and sweet — these root beer ribs are braised low and slow, then finished on the grill with a rich homemade glaze.

Ingredients

• 1 rack baby back ribs (2–2.5 pounds)
• 1 bottle (12 oz) root beer (not diet)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (plus more for seasoning)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Optional: pinch of cayenne

For 2 racks: Double all ingredients and use 2 bottles of root beer.

Instructions

1. Prep the ribs: Remove silver skin, pat dry, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Braise: Place in roasting pan, pour in 1 bottle of root beer (2 bottles for 2 racks). Cover with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2.5 hours, until tender but not falling apart.
3. Make the sauce: Transfer 1 cup braising liquid (2 cups for 2 racks) to a saucepan. Add ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, and spices. Simmer 15–20 minutes until thick and glossy.
4. Grill & glaze: Heat grill to medium-high, oil grates, brush ribs with sauce, and grill 3–4 minutes per side. Baste often. Slice and serve with extra sauce.

Notes & Tips

• Use craft root beer with real sugar for richer flavor.
• Always keep ribs mostly submerged during braise.
• The grill step is quick but adds essential smoke and caramelization.

These ribs are perfect for backyard cookouts or casual family dinners. They strike the balance of comfort food with a fun twist, and the sauce alone is good enough to bottle. Pair them with cornbread, slaw, and a cold root beer for the full experience.

Once you make ribs this way, it’ll be hard to go back to plain barbecue. Root beer ribs are that good.

you may like: Root Beer BBQ Sauce