Grilled Cola BBQ Pork Back Ribs perfect for summer grilling! Tender, juicy, and loaded with a sweet and savory Cola BBQ sauce, they’re finger-licking, lip-smacking amazing!
We’re a few days away from Summer, and you know what that means, ALL. THE. BARBECUES!
I do most of the cooking at home but come warmer weather, G takes the apron and makes most of our meals outdoors, which is SO fine by me as not only do I love to dine al fresco, I get to put my feet up while he prepares MY dinner. #winning
Although any reason is good enough for him to fire up the pit, G’s favorite thing to grill is pork ribs. I have to hand it to my resident pitmaster; he has his technique down pat. His Grilled Cola BBQ Pork Back Ribs are finger-licking, lip-smacking amazing!
There’s nothing more inviting in my book than a deliciously charred rack of grilled ribs on a hot pit and when we get the craving for a good barbecue at home, I reach for the brand we trust, Farmer John Fresh Pork. Their fresh pork loin back ribs are generously meaty, there’re no scrawny bones in sight!
Tired of the same old chicken or beef choices? Do your meals a favor and give your favorite recipes a fresh, flavorful take by using Farmer John Fresh Pork variety of fresh pork cuts, including boneless loins, chops, ribs, ground pork, tenderloins and more.
Farmer John California Natural Fresh Pork is so versatile, you’ll never run out of delicious dinner options. The possibilities are endless – grill it, roast it, sauté it, or slow cook it to shake up any meal, any night of the week!
How to Make Grilled Cola BBQ Back Ribs
Using a knife, trim any excess meat or fat from the bone side and any tough sinew or silver skin on the meaty side. Insert the tip of a thermometer or a blunt knife under the membrane and over a bone. Gently pull the membrane and peel off from the bones.
Season the pork ribs, front and back, evenly with a dry rub mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
To set up the gas grill for indirect heat, turn on burners and close the lid. Preheat for about 10 minutes or until 500 F. If you have a three-burner grill, turn off the middle burner after preheating and place the rack of ribs, bone-side down, in the center of the grill.
For a two-burner, turn off one burner after preheating and place the food over the unlit side.
Close the lid and let the ribs cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, maintaining a 300 F temperature. Open the lid and turn the ribs to meat side down. Close the lid and continue to cook the ribs for another 15 to 20 minutes or until browned on all sides.
Transfer each rib on a sheet of heavy-duty foil. Pour apple juice over ribs and fold the foil around the ribs to form a tightly-wrapped packet. Return to the grill and cook over indirect heat. Close lid and increase heat to 375 F. Continue to cook the ribs in the packet for about 30 to 40 minutes or until tender.
Unwrap the pork ribs and remove the foil. Return to the grill and adjust heat to 250 F. Baste the meaty side of the ribs with the Cola BBQ sauce, close the lid and cook for 5 minutes. Open the lid, flip the ribs to the bone side and baste with the sauce. Close the lid and cook for another 5 minutes.
Repeat the basting for about 30 minutes or least 2 coats of sauce on each side of the ribs. Remove the back ribs from the grill and cut between bones to serve.
Give this Grilled Cola BBQ Back Ribs recipe a try for your next summer cookout. They’re super tender and off the hook tasty. You’ll love the sweet sticky flavor of the Cola BBQ sauce made with just two simple ingredients!
And for the best quality meat, you can’t go wrong with Farmer John California Natural Fresh Pork!
Farmer John California Natural Fresh Pork is available at Stater Bros. Markets and Smart & Final, and you can also find it at most local grocery stores including Vons, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Safeway, Albertsons and more. Visit www.FarmerJohn.com/where-to-buy for a full list of retailers near you.
For more product information and recipe inspiration, visit www.FarmerJohn.com.
Ingredients
- 2 racks (about 2 to 3 pounds each) Farmer John Fresh Pork Loin Back Ribs
- 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups apple juice
- 2 cups cola soda
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Using a knife, trim any excess meat or fat from the bone side and any tough sinew or silver skin on the meaty side of the pork ribs.
- Insert the tip of a thermometer or a blunt knife under the membrane and over a bone. Gently pull the membrane and peel off from the bones.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Season the meat, front and back, with the dry rub. Let stand for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- To set up the gas grill for indirect heat, turn on burners and close the lid. Preheat for about 10 minutes or until 500 F. If you have a three-burner grill, turn off the middle burner after preheating and place the rack of ribs, bone-side down, in the center of the grill. For a two-burner, turn off one burner after preheating and place the ribs over the unlit side.
- Close the lid and let the ribs cook at about 225 to 250 F for about 15 to 20 minutes. Open the lid and turn the ribs to meat side down. Close the lid and continue to cook the ribs for another 15 to 20 minutes or until browned on all sides.
- Transfer each rib on a sheet of heavy-duty foil. Pour apple juice over ribs and fold the foil around the ribs to form a tightly-wrapped packet.
- Return to the grill in the indirect heat. Close lid and increase heat to 375 F. Continue to cook the ribs in the packet for about 30 to 40 minutes or until tender.
- While the ribs are cooking, combine Cola and BBQ sauce in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, uncovered, over medium heat and cook until thick and reduced.
- Unwrap the pork ribs and remove the foil. Return on the grill and adjust heat to 250 F. Baste the meat side of the ribs with the cola BBQ sauce, close the lid and cook for 5 minutes. Open the lid, flip the ribs to the bone side and baste with the sauce. Close the lid and cook for 5 minutes.
- Repeat the basting for about 30 minutes or least 2 coats of sauce on each side of the ribs. Remove the back ribs from the grill and cut between bones to serve.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Alison Reeves says
Looks great!
Lalaine says
Thank you, Allison!