Last updated on December 31, 2020 by Liza Hawkins
These slow cooker BBQ ribs are easy to make, mouth watering, and fall-off-the-bone tender! I’m a big fan of tender and juicy BBQ, especially when it’s been cooked slowly over a charcoal grill all day. Smoky, delicious, and oh-so-good.
But, for those days where grilling isn’t possible (or you’re just feeling too lazy), a slow cooker — with a hint of broiler at the end — can be your best friend.
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These slow cooker BBQ ribs are easy to make, mouth watering and fall-off-the-bone tender! The beauty of them, is that they only take five to ten minutes to prep and then it’s basically “set it and forget” for the next six hours.
I included my homemade BBQ sauce in this recipe — it’s super duper simple to throw together. So simple, in fact, you may never buy the bottled stuff again!
That said, I usually keep a bottle of BBQ sauce in my pantry at all times (why not), so go ahead and use that guilt-free if you prefer!
I mean, who doesn’t love a good slow cooker dinner, right?
(PS: I got little overzealous with the butter on those steamed green beans. Butter! Mmm…)
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
These slow cooker BBQ ribs are easy to make, mouth watering and fall-off-the-bone tender!
Ingredients
For the ribs:
- 1 rack pork ribs, patted dry
- 1 jar BBQ sauce
For the rub:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the BBQ sauce (if not using store-bought):
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/8 cup water
Instructions
For the BBQ sauce (if not using store-bought):
- Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a small sauce pan, and cook it over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, then set aside.
For the ribs:
- Combine all the rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Cut the rack of ribs in half. Coat both sides of each of rib halves with the rub mixture, pressing gently on the meat so that the rub coats it well and sticks.
- Place the ribs standing into the slow cooker, with the meat side facing out (against the wall). Use wadded up foil in the center of the slow cooker to keep the ribs standing if they start to slip.
- Pour a tablespoon of your BBQ sauce over each of the rib racks, then cover and cook the ribs on low for 6 hours.
- Preheat your broiler on high for 5 minutes with oven rack about 4" from the element. Cover a baking sheet with foil, and then gently set each rib rack on top, meat side up. (They will be VERY tender, so don't be alarmed if they start falling off the bone here.)
- Coat the top of each rack with 2 or 3 tablespoons of your BBQ sauce, then broil the slow cooker BBQ ribs for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the edges are crispy.
- Serve immediately!
Notes
The meat will fall right off the bone, so it's easy to serve these ribs as "boneless" if you prefer!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs with Black Silicone Heads -
Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker With Temperature Probe, Lid Lock, Stainless Steel (33969A) -
Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware, Pour and Strain Sauce Pan, 3 1/2-quart, Black -
OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 418Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 2292mgCarbohydrates: 90gFiber: 2gSugar: 78gProtein: 6g
I love that you made these in the slow cooker and not going to lie though saw the pic and immediately thought of summer and barbecuing ribs here. But still got to try using the slow cooker now for ribs 😉
Thank goodness for this post! I needed it! Pinned!
The ribs are coated with 2T of sauce total? It seeMs like there wouldn’t be enough liquid to steam/cook them. Does this work because of the low setting on the cooker?
Hi Jenny! Yes, only 2 tablespoons; you don’t need liquid for cooking these ribs in the slow cooker. I just pour it on top once the ribs are standing in the slow cooker. It doesn’t coat them, it just tops them. As they slow cook, it gets thinner and runs down. You add more BBQ sauce after they’re done in the slow cooker, and before you broil them. You can also serve more on the side!