Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
+6 photos

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

4 servings
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.

Ingredients

  • rack pork baby back ribs

    ~3 lbs

    1
  • bbq sauce

    use your favorite

    1 ½ c
  • light brown sugar
    ¼ c
  • cayenne
    ½ tsp.
  • smoked paprika
    ½ tsp.
  • garlic powder
    ½ tsp.
  • onion powder
    ½ tsp.
  • salt and pepper

    be generous

Directions

  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    Pat dry: using paper towels, pat the ribs thoroughly. Then, slice them in half with a sharp knife.

  3. 3

    Dry rub: mix the dry rub seasonings in a small dish.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Season the ribs on all sides with the dry rub.

    Step 4
  5. 5

    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.

    Step 5
  6. 6

    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!

    Step 6
  7. 7

    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.

    Step 7
  8. 8

    Cut and enjoy warm with your favorite sides. Store any leftover ribs in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

    Step 8
Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
+6

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

375 min4 servings378 cal

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About this Recipe

Dreaming of fall-off-the-bone ribs without hours slaving over a grill? These Slow Cooker Pork Ribs deliver ultimate tenderness and flavor with minimal effort, making them a perfect stress-free main course.

The magic of the slow cooker transforms humble pork baby back ribs into a meltingly tender masterpiece. Combined with a robust, simple spice rub and your favorite barbecue sauce, you get restaurant-quality results right at home, impressing everyone with flavor, not fuss.

Prepare for incredibly succulent, juicy pork that practically melts in your mouth. The generous rub, featuring light brown sugar, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, creates a complex flavor profile that perfectly complements the sweet and tangy notes of your chosen BBQ sauce. It's a comforting, hearty dish that tastes like it took all day, but only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on prep, allowing the slow cooker to do the heavy lifting.

While this recipe shines with pork baby back ribs, you can easily adjust the BBQ sauce to fit your preference—from smoky to spicy or tangy. Feel free to tweak the spice rub too; for a milder touch, reduce the cayenne or omit it entirely. For a sweeter flavor, a touch more brown sugar can be added to the rub.

These Slow Cooker Pork Ribs are perfect for a casual family dinner, a game day gathering, or any occasion where you want to serve a satisfying meal with minimal fuss. Serve them with classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, potato salad, or cornbread to complete the experience.

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