There is nothing like fall off the bone beef ribs smothered in sweet, smoky, and sticky barbecue sauce. You might think that a huge rack of ribs is hard to cook?
However, this is my grilled beef rib recipe that is super simple to do! Plus I don’t even use a smoker! Cooking them on the grill helps to break down the connective tissue into juicy delicious gelatine.

Table of contents
What You Need for Grilled Ribs
- Beef back ribs
- Coco-Cola
- Water
- Whole black peppercorns
- Kosher salt
- See what you need to make the sweet smoky sauce below
My Secret BBQ Sauce
Then the BBQ sauce which has a secret ingredient to make it extra sticky, sweet, and delicious is! This delicious beef ribs recipe uses Coca-Cola to give you ribs that flavor!
It only takes 10 minutes to make your own EPIC bbq sauce! Then you slather the ribs in the sauce. Then you want to preheat your grill. You want to get the grill to about 275°F
You want to cook them for about 1.5-2 hours total. You want to use indirect heat for 40-60 minutes, then flip the ribs over and cook for another 35 minutes.
You’ll notice that the sauce starts to caramelize and char. That’s then why are ready to come off.
What Ribs to Buy?
Try to pick up short ribs s for this recipe.
They work well, then they have been braised then finished on the grill
Cook Ahead of Time
You can cook the ribs ahead of time. Then when you are ready to eat, just crank up your grill.
Get your ribs out of the fridge and bring them up to room temperature Throw the ribs in the BBQ sauce and then put them on the grill. You can also make the BBQ sauce ahead of time, it will last in the fridge for 5 days,
Grilled Beef Ribs with Smoky-Sweet Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
Ribs
- 15 pounds beef back rib racks
- 1 litre Coco-Cola
- 1 liter water
- 1.5 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
- 1 pimch Kosher salt
Sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1.5 cup cider vinegar
- 1.5 cup tomato sauce
- 1.5 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp liquid smoke
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1.5 yellow mustard
- 1.5 chile powder
Instructions
Cooking the Ribs
- Put the ribs in a very large pot or roasting pan; add the cola and enough water to just cover. Bring to a boil, skimming off any scum on the surface. Add the peppercorns and 1 tablespoon of salt. Cover and simmer over low heat until the meat is tender but not falling off the bone, 2 hours; drain.
- In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer over very low heat, stirring frequently, until thick and glossy, about 15 minutes.
- .You want to get the grill to about 275°F. You want to cook them for about 1.5-2 hours total. You want to use indirect heat for 40-60 minutes, then flip then over and cook for another 35 minutes.
Smoke On!
Charlie

Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I am head taste tester at Simply Meat Smoking! I love it grilling, smoking, and getting out in the yard with the kids! The family also love to test all my recipes (especially my EXTRA CRISPY pulled pork, smoky pork loin, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill)
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling adventures with you!
You can read more on our About Us page.
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