Slow Cooker Pork Ribs Recipe
These slow cooker baby back ribs are tender, fall off the bone good! This pork ribs recipe could not be easier to make, and you will seriously be impressed!
Let’s just get the elephant out of the room. YES, using a smoker is the best way to make ribs. But not everyone has a smoker, and not everyone has the time to babysit a smoker all day, either.
This recipe is perfect for those who want delicious ribs but don’t have a smoker.
This easy slow cooker ribs recipe is rubbed down with a really good rub, then slow cooked with your favorite bbq sauce.
Then you take this recipe and really kick it up a notch by reducing the drippings from the crock pot, glazing the ribs and then broiling them until they get that nice char that is so important (sans grill!)
They were really good, and considering that the 3.5 of us ate two entire rack of ribs, you can be sure we will be feasting on this again!
Try these other rib recipes:
Tips for the best slow cooker ribs
Use these simple tips to make knock-your-socks off ribs that are finger licking good!
What Type of Ribs Should I Use?
Use baby back ribs, or spare ribs, or country style ribs! They will all work.
What size Slow Cooker Do I Need to Make Slow Cooker Ribs?
You need at least a 5 quart slow cooker.
How to cook pork ribs in a slow cooker
This recipe is very simple to make! Here is a brief overview of the recipe to give you an idea of how it works. For the full set of directions and measurements, please make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below!
Cook the ribs
- Mix up the simple homemade spice rub, and rub all over the ribs.
- Place the rubs in the slow cooker (you might have to cut the rack up to make it fit), pour the barbecue sauce over the ribs, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Finish the ribs
- Place the ribs on a rimmed baking sheet bone side up.
- Take the remaining juices from the slow cooker and strain out any solid pieces. Place the juices in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer, and reduce by 1/3, about 15 minutes.
- Turn the oven broiler to high, with the broiler pan 10 inches below the heating element.
- Brush the ribs with the sauce and broil for 3-4 minutes.
- Take the pan out of the oven, carefully turn the ribs over, brush with more glaze, and broil for 9 more minutes.
- Serve with remaining sauce on the side.
You are now ready to eat!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs
Serve these awesome slow cooker ribs with some Roasted Broccoli and homemade mashed potatoes for a complete meal your family will love!
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Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sweet paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 lb baby back ribs
- 3 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper and salt and pepper.
- Rub the seasoning mixture all over the ribs, on both sides, until everything is well coated.
- Place the ribs inside the crock pot by standing them up against the wall of the pot, thicker side down and meaty side against the pot.
- Pour bbq sauce over the ribs, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Very carefully remove the ribs from the crackpot and place them on a baking pan lined with foil, bone side up.
- Strain all of the juices that remain in the crackpot into a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and allow to simmer and reduce by 1/3, about 15 minutes.
- Put your oven's broiler on to high heat, with the broiler pan out 10 inches below the heating element.
- When the broiler is preheated, brush the ribs with the sauce and broil for 3-4 minutes.
- Take the ribs out and very carefully turn them over (so the meat side is up) brush with sauce and broil for an additional 9 minutes, taking them out once or twice to brush with sauce again.
- Serve with remaining sauce on the side.
- Enjoy!
I'm not even looking below – Alfredo is a weakness, and with roasted garlic?? Tomorrow I'll go find some and gorge. However, these ribs look sick..in a very good way. WOW. Bookmarked for sure!