Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
Barbecue Pork Ribs made in the Slow Cooker! It's so easy, the ribs are meltingly tender, they're made with a simple spice rub, and your favorite BBQ sauce of choice.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 378kcal
Ingredients
- 1 rack pork baby back ribs (~3 lbs) looks for meaty ribs for best results
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups bbq sauce use your favorite
Spice rub
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- salt and pepper, be generous
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the ribs: You can ask the butcher at the grocery store to remove it for you, but if you need to do it yourself it’s easy and only takes a few seconds once you get a grip on it. Use a knife to lift one corner of the membrane, take a paper towel to grab hold of it, and pull the membrane straight up and away from the ribs and discard it.1 rack pork baby back ribs (~3 lbs)
- Pat dry: using paper towels, pat the ribs thoroughly. Then, slice them in half with a sharp knife.
- Dry rub: mix the dry rub seasonings in a small dish.1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. cayenne, 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, salt and pepper, be generous
- Season the ribs on all sides with the dry rub.
- BBQ sauce: add half a rack of the ribs to a 6-7 quart slow cooker with the meat side facing up and pour BBQ sauce over the ribs, using a pastry brush if needed to ensure all sides are coated. Add the other half of the ribs and repeat with the BBQ sauce.1 1/2 - 2 cups bbq sauce
- Slow cook: Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-5 hours. If you like a little bit of chew to the ribs but still very tender, high for about 3 ½ hours is the sweet spot. Low for 6-7 will give you a fall of the bone tender rib. Brush with more BBQ sauce, slice, and enjoy!
- Optional step: broil for a caramelized saucy rib. Line a baking sheet with foil and carefully transfer the ribs onto it. Brush the tops with more BBQ sauce and broil for ~3-5 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and thickened.
- Cut and enjoy warm with your favorite sides. Store any leftover ribs in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Video
Notes
- Since this recipe has minimal ingredients and is made in a slow cooker as opposed to on the BBQ where it would give the ribs more flavor, it's important to choose a BBQ sauce that has great flavor.
- Baby Back and St Louis Style Pork Ribs are good options. Just keep in mind ribs are all different, so keep an eye on the cook time and how your ribs are and just based on how tender you prefer your ribs.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Fiber: 1g