Crock Pot Ribs

Crock Pot Ribs are seasoned with a dry rub and basted with barbecue sauce for a flavorful, easy dinner recipe that’s perfect on busy weeknights! This all-day slow cooker recipe transforms the pork ribs into tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that melts in your mouth — with only 10 minutes of prep!

It may not be summer grilling season, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a homemade barbecue feast! This easy slow cooker ribs recipe gives you that smokehouse restaurant taste in the comfort of your own home.

Best Type of Ribs to Make in the Slow Cooker

I prefer St. Louis-style pork ribs, but this recipe and cooking method will also work for baby back ribs, spare ribs, and country-style pork ribs. St. Louis-style ribs are cut from the belly of the animal after the belly is removed and are meatier than the baby back ribs. These St. Louis-style ribs have a higher amount of fat, which makes them really flavorful and ideal for slow cooking.

By contrast, country-style ribs are cut from the blade end of the loin close to the pork shoulder. They contain no rib bones, but instead contain parts of the shoulder blade.

Can you put ribs in slow cooker without liquid?

Yes, you don’t need any additional liquid to cook these crock pot ribs. The condensation from the slow cooking, along with the sauce and juice from the ribs will provide plenty of liquid during the cooking process. 

How do I get a smokey flavor in crockpot ribs?

Adding liquid smoke along with your favorite BBQ sauce is the best way to achieve a smokey flavor when cooking ribs in a slow cooker. While it’s impossible to recreate the smokey flavor of barbecue ribs that are actually smoked over real wood outside, the combination of smoked paprika (in the rub) and the liquid smoke give this Crock Pot version some nice smokey taste!

How Long to Cook Crock Pot Ribs

Pork ribs are best when cooked low-and-slow because this method allows the tough meat fibers to break down and become tender and juicy. The fat on the ribs also helps to keep the meat moist and tender as it cooks over a long period of time.

Cook the ribs in the slow cooker for 9-10 hours on LOW. If you’re using baby back ribs instead of the St. Louis-style or country-style ribs, you may need to decrease the cooking time to about 8 hours on LOW (to account for the smaller ribs).

You know the ribs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 190 to 203°F, because the collagens and fats melt at this temp and make the meat more tender and juicy.

How long do you slow cook ribs on HIGH in a crock pot? 

If you don’t have time to let the crock pot ribs cook all day, you can set your slow cooker to high and cook the ribs for 4-5 hours. However, slow cooking ribs on high can easily be overcooked and end up mushy. So, if you want the BEST slow cooker ribs, low and slow is the way to go.

Can I cook boneless pork ribs in the crock pot? 

You certainly can use boneless pork ribs; just be aware that they may take longer to cook because boneless ribs are thicker with more meat. 

What to Serve with Crock Pot Ribs

What sides go with ribs? Ribs pair perfectly with just about any of the classic Southern sides. Here are some of our favorites:

• Secret Ingredient Jiffy Cornbread or Pumpkin Muffins
• Southern Macaroni Salad
• Coleslaw
• Southern Collard Greens
• Crock Pot Mac and Cheese or Dump-and-Bake Overnight Macaroni and Cheese
• Southern Potato Salad
• Cowboy Baked Beans

Crock Pot BBQ Ribs Recipe Tips and Variations

• Play with the seasonings in your homemade dry rub to suit your tastes. Spicy additions like cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes will add some heat. Cinnamon or cocoa powder adds a depth of flavor that plays well with the smoky flavors of BBQ. Mustard powder adds a bit of a tang that pairs well with just about any BBQ sauce.
• While we prefer St. Louis-style ribs, you can also use this recipe with baby back ribs and country-style ribs. If using baby back ribs, decrease the cooking time to 8 hours on LOW to account for the smaller ribs.
• If you can’t find St. Louis-style ribs at your store, you can use pork spare ribs and trim them to be St. Louis ribs. There’s a great tutorial on how to trim your own spare ribs at home.
• We like Stubbs Original Barbecue Sauce, which is slightly spicy and not too sweet, but you can use any barbecue sauce that you prefer. You can also make your own barbecue sauce at home or try a homemade BBQ sauce with Coke or even root beer or apple butter BBQ sauce!

More Crock Pot BBQ Recipes to Try

Slow Cooker Carnitas {Mexican Pulled Pork}

7 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Root Beer Barbecue Chicken {Crock Pot/Instant Pot}

6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Slow Cooker Beef Barbecue

9 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

12 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

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Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 9 hours hours

Total: 9 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Calories 469 kcal

Author: Blair Lonergan

Fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs made easy in the slow cooker. A simple dry rub and your favorite BBQ sauce do all the work, and a quick broiler finish adds that irresistible caramelized glaze.

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Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
• 2 racks (about 3-4 lbs.) baby back ribs
• 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for finishing and serving
• Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley

BBQ Dry Rub

• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

• Spray a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add the water and liquid smoke (if using) to the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Prepare the ribs by removing the shiny, thin membrane that covers most of the backside of the ribs. To do so, use a knife or fingernail to pry up a corner of the thin membrane from one edge of the ribs. Grab that with a paper towel (for grip) and slowly pull it up. Once a good portion of the membrane is free, you should be able to pull the rest off in one quick motion.
• Pat the ribs dry.
• In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Rub the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the ribs. Place the ribs in the slow cooker. If needed, cut each rack into halves or thirds and stack them so that they fit in your slow cooker. Pour 1 cup of barbecue sauce over the ribs.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours (best texture), or on HIGH for about 4 hours. Ribs are done when the meat reaches an internal temp of about 195-205°F.
• Preheat the broiler. Transfer the cooked ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush generously with more barbecue sauce and broil until caramelized and starting to char, about 2-4 minutes. Cut into individual ribs and serve with extra bbq sauce, if desired. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

Notes

• Remove the membrane. This step is essential for tender ribs. The membrane turns rubbery if left on.
• LOW is best. Cooking on LOW for 8-9 hours gives you the most tender, fall-off-the-bone texture. HIGH works but produces slightly less silky results.
• Don’t skip the broiler. This step caramelizes the sauce and adds that sticky, slightly charred exterior. Watch the broiler closely; ribs can go from caramelized to burnt in seconds. Keep the oven door cracked and stay nearby.
• Internal temp matters. Ribs are done at 195-205°F, when the collagen has broken down and the meat is truly tender.
• Store-bought rub works too. Use about 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ or pork rub in place of the homemade version.
• Customize the homemade rub. Add cayenne for heat, or try a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder for depth.
• Other rib cuts work. Spare ribs may need an extra hour on LOW. Country-style ribs are boneless and may cook faster.
• Storage: Refrigerate wrapped ribs for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Warm in foil at 250°F until heated through. Brush with sauce and broil briefly to refresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of the recipeCalories: 469kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 1827mgPotassium: 563mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 623IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 2mg

Keyword: crockpot baby back ribs, slow cooker baby back ribs, slow cooker bbq ribs

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Author: Blair Lonergan

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