These Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs offer a delightfully tender and flavorful way to enjoy classic barbecue ribs with minimal effort. The image prominently features a stack of glistening, rich brown ribs on a white plate, showcasing their generous coating of a thick, savory BBQ sauce. A cross-section of one rib reveals juicy, tender meat, suggesting it’s cooked to perfection and likely falls off the bone. This recipe is ideal for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness without the need for a grill or smoker, making it accessible for any home cook. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to deepen, resulting in succulent ribs that are perfect for a casual family dinner, game day, or any occasion where you crave comforting, savory barbecue.
Ingredients:
- 2 to 3 pounds pork baby back ribs (or your preferred cut like St. Louis style ribs)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smoky flavor)
- 1 ½ cups your favorite BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for added sweetness in the sauce)
- ½ cup water or chicken broth
Equipment:
- 6-quart or larger slow cooker (Crockpot)
- Large knife or kitchen shears
- Tongs
- Pastry brush (optional, for applying extra sauce)
- Small saucepan (if thickening sauce separately)
- Serving platter
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ribs:
- If desired, remove the thin membrane from the bony side of the ribs. This isn’t strictly necessary but helps tenderize the ribs and allows them to absorb more flavor. To do this, slide a butter knife under a corner of the membrane, then grip it with a paper towel and pull it off.
- Cut the racks of ribs into 2-3 bone portions, or into pieces that will fit comfortably into your slow cooker.
- Season the ribs generously on all sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Arrange Ribs in Slow Cooker:
- Place the seasoned rib pieces vertically around the inside of the slow cooker, leaning them against the sides to maximize space. If you have extra room, you can stack them.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together your favorite BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and optional brown sugar.
- Pour about ¾ cup of this BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the ribs in the slow cooker. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting and serving.
- Pour the ½ cup of water or chicken broth into the bottom of the slow cooker around the ribs. This liquid helps create steam and keeps the ribs moist.
- Slow Cook the Ribs:
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the ribs are incredibly tender and nearly falling off the bone. The exact cooking time will depend on your slow cooker and the thickness of your ribs. You should be able to easily pull a bone from the meat.
- Finish the Ribs (Optional Browning & Extra Sauce):
- Once the ribs are cooked through and tender, carefully remove them from the slow cooker using tongs. They will be very delicate.
- At this point, you can serve them directly, or for a more caramelized and sticky finish like the image displays, proceed with one of these options:
- Broiler Method: Preheat your oven broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Place the cooked ribs on the prepared baking sheet. Brush generously with some of the reserved BBQ sauce. Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully, until the sauce is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Grill Method: If you have a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates. Place the cooked ribs on the grill and brush with reserved BBQ sauce. Grill for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the sauce is caramelized and has nice grill marks.
- Thickening Sauce (Optional): While the ribs are finishing, if you want a thicker sauce for serving, pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens to your desired consistency. Stir in any remaining reserved BBQ sauce.
- Serve:
- Arrange the finished Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs on a serving platter.
- Drizzle with any extra warmed BBQ sauce.
- Serve immediately with your favorite barbecue sides like coleslaw, potato salad, or cornbread. These ribs are a fantastic, hands-off way to achieve perfectly tender and flavorful barbecue.