The Secret to Crockpot Ribs

4.99 from 92 votes

Crockpot ribs are guaranteed to be fall-off-the-bone tender. Learn the secrets for making restaurant-quality ribs in the slow cooker.

Prep Time15

Cook Time8

Total Time8 15

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Crockpot Ribs, Slow Cooker Ribs

Servings: servings

Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. To do this, slide your fingers or a butter knife under the membrane at one corner of the ribs, loosen it, and peel it off in one piece.
In a small bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon ground mustard to make the dry rub. Generously rub this mixture over both sides of the ribs to coat them evenly.
Place the ribs in a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker (crockpot), stacking them on top of each other if needed. Drizzle 1 ½ cups of barbecue sauce over the ribs, reserving the remaining ½ cup for later.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the ribs are tender and pull away easily from the bones. If cooking multiple racks, use the longer end of the time range.
Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker, as they will be very tender. Arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with the reserved ½ cup barbecue sauce.
Preheat your oven's broiler to high. Position an oven rack about 4-6 inches from the broiler's heating element for optimal caramelization. Place the ribs under the broiler and cook for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Remove the ribs when the sauce is bubbling and caramelized.

[yeetvid]

What to Watch For: When broiling, keep an eye out for the sauce to darken and develop small browned spots. This is the caramelization you want for that rich, sticky finish.
Avoid Burning: If the sauce becomes too dark or blackens in large patches, it’s overcooked and will taste burnt. Pull the ribs out as soon as they’ve reached a deep, golden-brown color with lightly charred edges.
Grilling Option: Instead of broiling, you can finish your ribs on the grill for a similar effect. Preheat the grill to high heat (500°F), place the ribs directly on the grill grates or on a piece of aluminum foil, and brush with additional barbecue sauce. Close the lid and grill for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and caramelized.