Spicy Cognac and Cola Glazed Pork Ribs
Tender pork ribs glazed with a sweet and spicy cognac and cola reduction, bringing bold flavors and a sticky finish. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 175 minutes, pairs pork baby back ribs, hennessy cognac, cola soda for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 racks (about 4 lbs total) pork baby back ribs
- 1/2 cup hennessy cognac
- 1 cup cola soda
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Remove the membrane from the back of 2 racks of pork baby back ribs. Combine 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a small bowl and rub evenly over both sides of the ribs.
- Step 2: Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 1/2 hours until tender but not falling apart.
- Step 3: While ribs bake, combine 1/2 cup hennessy cognac, 1 cup cola soda, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes until thickened into a sticky glaze.
- Step 4: Remove ribs from oven and discard foil. Preheat broiler on high.
- Step 5: Brush ribs generously with the henny and cola glaze and broil for 5 minutes until caramelized and sticky, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Step 6: Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing between bones and serving with extra glaze on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Cognac and Cola Glazed Pork Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 175 minutes (15 min prep + 160 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spicy Cognac and Cola Glazed Pork Ribs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork baby back ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Cognac and Cola Glazed Pork Ribs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spicy Cognac and Cola Glazed Pork Ribs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spicy Cognac and Cola Glazed Pork Ribs?
American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
