Slow Cooker Ribs
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Slow cooker ribs are an easy and delicious way to have a tender and flavorful rack of ribs ready for supper at the end of a busy day!
This slow cooker rib recipe is so simple and makes the juiciest ribs that are super flavorful. We like to enjoy these with parmesan roasted potatoes, instant pot corn on the cob, and cinnamon toast crunch poke cake for dessert.
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Slow Cooker Ribs
Slow Cooker Ribs
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 An easy slow cooker meal for a busy weeknight.
📌 Flavored with a homemade rub and topped with BBQ sauce.
📌 Delicious fall off the bone ribs!
Slow Cooker Ribs Ingredients
- Ribs – Pork ribs. We used St. Louis style, but any kind will work.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, chipotle chili pepper seasoning.
- BBQ sauce – A bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Honey – We like to spring for local honey when it’s on sale.
- Worcestershire sauce – This adds the perfect flavor to the sauce!
How do you make ribs in the slow cooker? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, paprika and half of the chipotle seasoning in a small bowl. Place the ribs on parchment paper and cut them in half. Rub the seasoning mix all over the ribs on each side.
⭐ Next, place the coated ribs in the slow cooker. In another small bowl, mix the bbq sauce, honey, worcestershire sauce and the other half of the chipotle powder together.
⭐ Then, pour half of the bbq sauce mixture over the ribs. Place the remaining sauce mixture in the fridge for later. Cook the ribs on high or low until they are fully cooked.
⭐ Finally, line a baking sheet with foil and place the ribs onto the pan. Spread the remaining bbq sauce mixture over the ribs and place the pan in the oven on broil. Broil until the sauce begins to caramelize. Remove, let cool slightly, cut and serve!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What cut of pork ribs should I use for slow cooker ribs?
There are two main cuts of pork ribs: baby back ribs and spare ribs. Baby back ribs are the leanest cut of ribs and are slightly curved in shape. Spare ribs are flatter than baby back ribs, have a higher fat content and are the most common cut.
Either cut will work great for this recipe so choose whatever you have in the freezer or whatever might be on sale!
Are slow cooker ribs spicy?
We do use chipotle chili pepper seasoning in this recipe which adds a little heat but it isn’t overwhelming by any means. If you prefer things milder, you can cut the chipotle seasoning in half or you can skip it altogether.
What kind of bbq sauce should I use for slow cooker ribs?
This is entirely up to you! If you like a spicier sauce go for that. If you like sweet and mild, choose something like honey bbq. This recipe is easily catered to your liking!
Can I make slow cooker ribs ahead of time?
These are really great right out of the broiler but you could definitely make these a day or two in advance. Store in the fridge until ready to reheat. Wrap the ribs in foil and reheat in the oven.
Another great make ahead tip would be to rub the ribs with the seasoning and make the bbq sauce mixture ahead of time. Store in the fridge until ready to cook, then add everything to the slow cooker.
Storage and leftovers
How long do slow cooker ribs last?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
Can I freeze slow cooker ribs?
Yes, let cool completely and wrap the ribs tightly with tin foil. Place in a ziploc or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.
What is the best way to reheat leftover ribs?
To reheat leftover ribs, wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven at 300°F for about 20-30 minutes. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the oven method will help retain more of their original texture and flavor.
Tips and tricks
✅ Add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the bbq sauce to add smoked bbq flavor.
✅ Adjust the spice to your liking by adding, removing or cutting in half the chipotle seasoning.
✅ Double the recipe to feed a crowd, just make sure the ribs fit in the crock pot!
✅ Keep an eye on the ribs while they are broiling to prevent burning them!
✅ You can cut the rack of ribs into smaller sections to fit in the crock pot if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can use other types of meat such as beef ribs or chicken. However, cooking times may vary, and the flavors will differ from the original recipe.
How can I make the ribs more tender?
To ensure the ribs are extra tender, you can marinate them overnight with the seasoning rub before cooking. Additionally, cooking on low for a longer period (8-10 hours) in the slow cooker can help achieve a more tender texture.
Can I cook the ribs in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook the ribs in the oven. Preheat your oven to 275°F, cover the ribs with foil, and bake for about 2.5 to 3 hours. Then, broil them with the remaining BBQ sauce for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce.
How do I know when the ribs are fully cooked?
The ribs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). However, for more tender ribs, you may want to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 190-203°F (88-95°C). We like to cook them until they are tender enough to come off the bone with a gentle pull.
What to enjoy with your slow cooker ribs (serving suggestions)
These ribs are an easy go-to for a busy week or perfect for a weekend meal. We like to serve them with funeral potatoes, creamed corn, roasted green beans, and lemon gooey butter cake.
More awesome pork recipes
- Dr. Pepper pulled pork
- Pork and sauerkraut
- Smoked pork tenderloin
- Pork and beans casserole
- Grilled pork chops
- Pulled pork chili
- BBQ pulled pork
- Pork tacos
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops Recipe
- See all our pork recipes!
Other slow cooker recipes you’ll love
- Slow cooker philly cheesesteaks
- Slow cooker meatball stroganoff
- Cheesesteak sloppy joes
- Mississippi chicken
- Cream cheese chicken chili
- Crock pot queso blanco
- See all our easy crockpot recipes!
Tools we love
- 7 Quart Crock Pot Slow Cooker – I’ve had this slow cooker since my husband and I were married in 2003!
- Kitchen tongs – Every kitchen needs a good pair of tongs.
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How to Make Slow Cooker Ribs
Slow Cooker Ribs
Ingredients
- 4-5 pound pork ribs we used St. Louis style, but any pork ribs will work.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon chipotle chili pepper powder divided in 2 equal parts
- 1 bottle bbq sauce (18 ounces)
- ¾ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Whisk together the onion powder, garlic, pepper, paprika and 1 tsp of the chipotle powder in a small bowl.
- If needed, cut your rack of ribs so they will fit into the slow cooker, then rub ribs on all sides with the seasoning blend.
- In another bowl, whisk together the remaining chipotle powder*, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and barbecue sauce. Spread half of the mixture onto your ribs and set the other half aside.
- Cover and cook on high for 6 -7 hours or low for 8 - 10 hours.
- At this point you can serve with the remaining bbq sauce blend, or you can go one step further (which I highly recommend!).
- One step further: Lay cooked ribs on a baking sheet and brush on both sides with the remaining bbq sauce. Place on the center rack of your oven and broil for 5 - 7 minutes or until the ribs are caramelized to your liking. Watch closely to make sure they don't burn!
Notes
Nutrition
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Slow Cooker Ribs
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Great recipe. I made these last weekend when it was stupid hot outside, and I didn’t want to fire up our smoker. They came out great!
These came out SO tender. I feel like the crock pot is going to be my new go to for making ribs.
This could be the easiest way to cook ribs! It came out so tender and had so much flavor! Keeping this recipe for sure!
Slow cooker ribs are a game-changer for busy days when you crave a hearty, flavorful meal without the fuss.
This was so great. My kids devoured it and that’s really saying something, haha! Thanks!
I made the Slow Cooker Ribs for a family dinner, and they were a hit! The meat was falling off the bone, and the sauce was perfect.