The easiest ribs you’ll ever make, this Crock Pot Ribs Recipe is quick, easy, and delivers tender, flavorful ribs that are falling off the bone tender!
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Pin RecipeThe Best Crock Pot Ribs Recipe
These crock pot ribs are seriously the best ribs you’ll eat. First, you make a tasty dry rub with brown sugar, garlic, and a few other dry spices like onion powder and paprika. As it sinks into the meat, the dry rub infuses the ribs with a sweet-savory flavor all the way through. And of course, we can’t forget to add BBQ sauce for that familiar, lick-your-fingers-clean flavor!
I love these ribs for their flavor and tenderness. However, the biggest selling point of this recipe is that the ribs cook mostly in the slow cooker. If you can, cook them low and slow for up to 7 hours.
This will produce the most tender texture. (You can also cook them on high for less time and you’ll still get a delicious result!). Then you’ll finish the meat in the oven to turn the outside caramelized and crisp while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Prep time takes 10 minutes or less. So, you can toss the ribs in the slow cooker in the mornings and come back to a delicious meal at dinner time. Whip up a quick side dish like mashed potatoes, dinner is done. So easy!
(Want more ribs? Try my Instant Pot Short Ribs or BBQ Pork Ribs, too.)
Recipe Ingredients
To print: see recipe card below
Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Ribs
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3-4 pounds baby back ribs
- 3 cups barbecue sauce – Use homemade barbecue sauce, or your favorite store-bought sauce!
Ingredients for Crock Pot Ribs
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Dry Rub
- Brown sugar – For a wonderful sweet undertone.
- Smoked paprika – Adds color and smokiness.
- Onion powder – For savory flavor.
- Garlic powder – Garlic powder adds a kick of spice. You can also add fresh garlic.
- Salt – I use kosher salt in this recipe.
- Black pepper – Use freshly cracked black pepper if you can for the best flavor.
Ribs
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Baby back pork ribs – I use 3-4 pounds of ribs in this recipe.
- Barbecue sauce, divided – BBQ sauce adds that familiar delicious bbq flavor to the ribs.
Quick Tip
If you want really flavorful ribs you can increase the quantity of the dry rub.
Directions for How to Make Crock Pot Ribs
- Create the dry rub: In a small mixing bowl, whisk all the dry rub ingredients until well combined.
- Prepare the ribs: Remove the membrane from the ribs. Then, pat them dry with a clean paper towel, and coat the outsides evenly with the dry rub mixture.
- Layer: Place the ribs in a crockpot greased with cooking spray. Cut a couple of pieces as needed to fit the ribs in a single layer. Then, pour all but 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce on top.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot, and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours or until the meat is tender.
- Prepare a baking sheet: While the ribs cook, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Coat the ribs: Remove the ribs from the crockpot, and place them on the baking sheet. Next, use a pastry brush to coat them in the remaining BBQ sauce.
- Bake: Transfer the BBQ ribs to the oven, and bake just until the outside caramelizes. Serve your slow cooker ribs recipe warm!
Serving Suggestions
These easy slow cooker ribs pair so well with classic side dishes like macaroni and cheese or coleslaw. However, the serving options are endless! Some of my favorite additions include:
- Homemade macaroni and cheese. I have so many great recipes for mac and cheese including Easy One-Pot Macaroni and Cheese, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, and Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese.
- Macaroni salad. Serve a cold and creamy Macaroni Salad with your slow cooker ribs!
- Coleslaw. A fresh batch of coleslaw is great alongside ribs.
- Mashed potatoes. Ribs and mashed potatoes are made for each other. Choose from my Classic Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, or Loaded Mashed Potatoes recipes.
- Cornbread. I love a basket of fresh, warm cornbread! My Homemade Cornbread and Skillet Cornbread are delicious with slow cooker ribs.
- Baked beans. Add a side of homemade baked beans to your ribs.
How to Store
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with foil in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze crockpot ribs for up to 2 months. To do so, wrap them in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Then, transfer them to the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to serve.
- Reheat your ribs in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
FAQs
It’s not necessary to cover your ribs with liquid like other slow cooker recipes. The long cooking time prevents them from burning, and the meat releases natural juices as it cooks. As a result, they always come out perfectly tender and delicious!
The USDA recommends thawing meat before putting it in a slow cooker. This is because frozen meat can take too long to reach a safe internal temperature, which poses a risk of foodborne illnesses.
up or down?
For the most tender meat, you should place the ribs with the bone side facing the heat source.
Crock Pot Ribs
Equipment
- 1 crock pot
- 1 Baking sheet
Ingredients
Dry Rub
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Ribs
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3-4 pounds baby back pork ribs
- 3 cups barbecue sauce, divided
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together the dry rub ingredients and set aside. Coat the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, Nonstick cooking spray
- Remove the membrane from the ribs (if not done already) and pat dry with a paper towel. Coat the outsides with the dry rub mixture.3-4 pounds baby back pork ribs
- Add the ribs to the inside of the slow cooker; it may be necessary to cut into a couple of pieces so that they will fit. Pour all but ½ cup of the barbecue sauce over the ribs. Cover with the lid and cook until the meat is tender, 6 to 7 hours on low, or 3 to 4 hours on high.3 cups barbecue sauce, divided
- When the ribs are almost done, preheat the oven to 425℉. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- When the ribs are done cooking in the slow cooker, remove and place on the foil lined baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, coat with the remaining ½ cup of barbeque sauce.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the outside starts to caramelize. Remove from the oven and serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with foil in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze crockpot ribs for up to 2 months. To do so, wrap them in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Then, transfer them to the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to serve.
- Reheat your ribs in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Nutrition
Did you make this Crock Pot Ribs recipe? Be sure to let us know how it turned out and leave a rating and comment.
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