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Easy Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe โ the best easy recipe to make fall off the bone tender ribs in the slow cooker!
I love making these when itโs too rainy out to make smoked ribs โ or ahead of a big tailgate or party!
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At Sweet Cโs, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes โ because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
Simple Slow Cooker Ribs
I love ribs โ delicious, meaty, sticky, crunchy, melt in your mouth delicious baby back ribs โ but they are kind of a pain to make on the smoker when a craving for ribs hits.
Iโve had two massively popular recipes for ribs on my site for years โ one on the smoker (which really is the best rib recipe on earth), and one baked in the oven.
Both have stood thee test of time on site โ but the #1 question on both posts I get is always โHow can I make ribs in the slow cooker??โ
Today Iโm sharing just how I adapted my recipe, with the help of another hugely popular crock pot rib recipe, to make the ultimate slow cooker rib recipe!
I combined my crazy popular Oven Baked Ribs and my Best Ever Smoked Ribs Recipe with my friend Beckyโs Crockpot Ribs Recipe to come up with this incredible finger licking good slow cooker ribs recipe!
If youโd like to make this recipe in your Instant Pot, please follow my instructions and technique in my Keto Instant Pot Ribs post.
How to Make Ribs in Your Slow Cooker
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- Pork ribs (8 lb) โ These meaty pork ribs form the hearty base of the dish, becoming fall-off-the-bone tender in the slow cooker.
- Olive oil cooking spray (1 tsp) โ A light spray of olive oil helps prevent the ribs from sticking and ensures even browning.
- Garlic powder (2 tbsp) โ Garlic powder infuses the ribs with a deep, savory flavor that enhances the richness of the meat.
- Onion powder (2 tbsp) โ Onion powder adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the seasoning mix.
- Season salt (2 tbsp) โ Season salt delivers a balanced, all-in-one boost of salt and spice to elevate the rub.
- Ground pepper (2 tbsp) โ Ground black pepper gives the ribs a bold, peppery bite with just a hint of heat.
- Paprika (3 tbsp) โ Paprika lends a warm, smoky undertone and vibrant color to the ribs.
- Chili powder (3 tbsp) โ Chili powder adds a flavorful kick and enhances the barbecue-style seasoning.
- Cumin (2 tbsp) โ Cumin brings a toasty, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the smoky spices.
- Celery salt (2 tbsp) โ Celery salt adds a subtle, savory herbal note that rounds out the rub.
- Cinnamon (2 tbsp) โ Cinnamon gives a surprising touch of warmth and sweetness to balance the savory spices.
- Cardamom (2 tbsp) โ Cardamom adds an aromatic, slightly citrusy spice that deepens the flavor profile.
- BBQ sauce (1 cup) โ A generous coating of barbecue sauce caramelizes beautifully and finishes the ribs with sticky, tangy sweetness.
My Pro Tip
Slow Cook Tip
Let your ribs fully cook in the slow cooker for 7-8 hours on low for best results!
Once you have gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
Prep Ribs
Mix rib rub ingredients in a bowl. Generously coat ribs in rub. Prepare slow cooker by spraying with olive oil based cooking spray. Cut ribs to fit into slow cooker.
Arrange and Cook
Arrange in slow cooker and cook for 7-8 hours on low, until rib meat is tender and pulls away from bone with gentle pulling. Remove ribs when fully cooked and tent with foil for 10-15 minutes. Prep large baking sheet with cooking spray or parchment paper.
Broil and Finish
Cut ribs into individual pieces and arrange on baking sheet. Baste sauce onto ribs. Broil ribs at 500F, flipping once to prevent burning, about 5 minutes per side. When sauce has crisped and ribs have a crunchy bark, remove from oven and serve immediately with more sauce for dipping!
Tips and Tricks For Perfect Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Remove Silver Skin from Ribs โ Ribs come with a silver skin often over the ribs โ trimming the most of this tough tendon off the rib will greatly improve the flavor of your oven baked ribs โ so donโt skip this step.
My Pro Tip
How to Trim Your Ribs
Run a knife under the silver skin to separate the membrane from the rib meat.
If the silver skin resists in one spot, try another.
Once you have separated enough with a knife, grab silver skin tightly and pull to remove from the ribs.
If silver skin breaks in one spot, loosen it again with a knife to remove it completely.
Season baby back ribs well with rib dry rub โ The dry rub in this recipe brings a rich, smoky flavor to these ribs without all the sugar from sauce โ and are then topped in sauce when ready to eat.
Layer ribs properly โ Stack ribs with meaty sides facing out and add sauce between layers for even coating.
Cook low and slow โ Low heat for 6โ8 hours yields tender, juicy ribs that still hold their shape.
Use thick BBQ sauce โ A rich, sticky sauce sticks better and wonโt get too thin in the cooker.
Try lining with foil โ For easier cleanup and to lift the ribs out in one piece, line the cooker with foil.
Let them rest before serving โ Allow ribs to sit for a few minutes after broiling to let the juices redistribute.
Crisp at the End โ These ribs really shine because after they come from the slow cooker, weโre going to chop them into individual ribs, coat in sauce, and crisp in the broiler. This extra step is optional โ but takes the flavor to new levels!
FAQs
After 8 hours in the slow cooker, ribs should be done โ but to check, start around 7 hours into cook time and gently pull at a bit of meat around a rib with the tines of a fork. If the meat resists being pulled with a gentle twisting motion, ribs are not done. If the meat begins to pull away easily, ribs are done. Remove ribs from slow cooker when done, and tent for at least 15 minutes with foil.
Pork baby back ribs or spare ribs are idealโthey cook down to tender, juicy perfection in the slow cooker.
Yes, removing the thin membrane on the back of the ribs helps the seasoning absorb better and improves texture.
Searing is optional but can add extra flavor and color to the ribs before they go into the slow cooker.
Yes, layer them with the thicker bones on the bottom and add extra BBQ sauce between layers for flavor.
No additional liquid is usually neededโribs release moisture as they cook, and the BBQ sauce keeps them juicy.
Absolutely! Homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce both workโjust choose one with a flavor you love.
Broiling or grilling for 3โ5 minutes after cooking caramelizes the sauce and adds a delicious charred finish.
Store cooled ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Yes, cook them a day ahead and reheat in the oven or slow cooker with a fresh layer of BBQ sauce.
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Ribs
My family loves these simply slow cooker ribs with sides like mashed potatoes, grilled potatoes, parmesan salad, or familyโs favorite grilled jalapeno poppers!
Check out all my slow cooker recipes here!
When you are ready to try ribs another way you can make smoked baby back ribs, sticky Asian baked ribs, or Instant Pot Asian BBQ ribs.
Try these favorite BBQ sides:
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Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 lb pork ribs
- 1 tsp olive oil cooking spray
For the Rib Rub
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp season salt
- 2 tbsp ground pepper
- 3 tbsp paprika
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp cumin
- 2 tbsp celery salt
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp cardamom
Rib Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for topping
Instructions
- Trim silver skin from ribs.
- Mix rib rub ingredients in a bowl.
- Generously coat ribs in rub.
- Prepare slow cooker by spraying with olive oil based cooking spray.
- Cut ribs to fit into slow cooker.
- Arrange in slow cooker and cook for 7-8 hours on low, until rib meat is tender and pulls away from bone with gentle pulling.
- Remove ribs when fully cooked and tent with foil for 10-15 minutes.
- Prep large baking sheet with cooking spray or parchment paper.
- Cut ribs into individual pieces and arrange on baking sheet.
- Baste sauce onto ribs.
- Broil ribs at 500F, flipping once to prevent burning, about 5 minutes per side.
- Watch ribs CLOSELY to make sure they do not burn under broiler!!
- When sauce has crisped and ribs have a crunchy bark, remove from oven and serve immediately with more sauce for dipping!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great information. Thanks!