Description
Crock Pot BBQ Ribs: Tender, juicy pork ribs cooked low and slow in a savory BBQ sauce. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds (1.4–1.8 kg) pork baby back ribs or St. Louis-style ribs
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) barbecue sauce, plus extra for serving
- ¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) paprika
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) salt
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) cumin
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Ribs Start by patting the ribs dry with paper towels. Carefully remove the membrane from the bone side of each rack—this is essential for tender Crock Pot BBQ Ribs. Cut each rack into sections that will fit comfortably in your slow cooker, usually 3-4 ribs per section. In a small bowl, mix all dry rub ingredients until well combined. Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the ribs, then massage the dry rub mixture generously onto all surfaces, pressing it in firmly. For deeper flavor, wrap the seasoned ribs in plastic and refrigerate for 2-24 hours.
- Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker In your slow cooker, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and minced garlic until smooth. This liquid bath will transform your ribs into succulent, flavorful perfection. Arrange the seasoned rib sections along the sides of your slow cooker, standing them on edge with the meaty side facing outward. This positioning allows for optimal sauce circulation and even cooking. If you have more ribs than can fit around the perimeter, you can create a second layer, ensuring each piece gets a coating of sauce.
- Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The key to amazing Crock Pot BBQ Ribs is patience—resist the urge to peek frequently as this releases essential heat and extends cooking time. You’ll know the ribs are done when the meat has shrunk back from the ends of the bones by about ¼-inch and is tender enough that you can easily insert a fork. The long, gentle cooking process breaks down tough collagen into gelatin, resulting in that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Step 4: Broil for the Finish Preheat your oven’s broiler. Carefully transfer the cooked ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet, meaty side up. They’ll be very tender, so use tongs and a spatula for support. Brush generously with additional barbecue sauce or the thickened sauce from your slow cooker. Broil 3-5 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and develops those appetizing charred edges that make Crock Pot BBQ Ribs irresistible. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute for maximum flavor in every bite.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rib section
- Calories: 400 calories per serving
- Sugar: 18 grams
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 21 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 27 grams
- Cholesterol: 85 mg