The Secret to Crockpot Ribs (Slow Cooker)

Close up of a rack of cooked slow Cooker Ribs

4.98 from 42 votes

The Secret to Crockpot Ribs (Slow Cooker)

Crockpot ribs are guaranteed to be fall off the bone tender. Learn the secrets for making the best slow cooker ribs including instructions for prepping the meat, giving it a good dry rub, and finishing them off for restaurant quality perfection.

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Crockpot Ribs

Servings: Servings

Calories: 208kcal

Ingredients

2 racks baby back ribs or pork spare ribs
2 cups barbecue sauce

Dry Rub

1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground mustard

Instructions

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. Just slide your fingers around the side to loosen it up and rip it right off.
In a small bowl, stir together the ingredients for the dry rub. Rub this mixture generously over the outside of the ribs to coat.
Put your ribs in the crockpot. Drizzle on 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce, reserving 1/2 cup for later.
Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. The more racks in the pot, the longer you'll need to cook.
Gently remove the racks and lay them out on a foil lined baking sheet. Add the reserved barbecue sauce on top.
Broil under a broiler for 3-5 minutes until the barbecue sauce starts to bubble and caramelize. Alternately you could wrap them in foil and throw them on a heated grill for the same effect.

Video

Notes

Another option is to put them on the grill to get that extra caramelization. If you choose to use the grill, instead of placing them under the broiler in step 5, put them straight onto the grill (or onto a piece of aluminum foil) over high heat (500 degrees). Brush them with additional barbecue sauce and then close the lid. Let them grill for about 3-5 minutes, until the sauce starts to bubble and caramelize.

Nutrition