Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

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Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are so juicy and tender and they are super easy to make. The meat falls right off the bone and combines a blend of dry rub and your favorite barbecue sauce.

Serve these awesome BBQ ribs with this Potato Salad or this Mashed Potato Casserole.

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Why I love this recipe

The ribs come out so perfect and tender after slow cooking in the crockpot all day.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs on a plate. — Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Ingredients

(amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

paprika

light brown sugar

cayenne pepper

onion powder

salt

pepper

pork baby back ribs

barbecue sauce

Substitutions

You can use any kind of pork or beef ribs for this recipe, but we prefer baby-back pork ribs.

You can also use any flavor of BBQ sauce.

Swap out the cayenne pepper for chili powder, if desired.

Equipment

How to make Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Step 1 – In a small bowl mix together the paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. — Ribs Slow Cooker Dry Rub

Step 2 – Rub the mixture all over both sides of the ribs.

paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt and pepper rubbed all over baby back ribs. — Ribs Slow Cooker Dry Rub

Step 3 – Arrange the ribs by standing them up against the walls of the slow cooker, thicker side down, and meat against the wall.

Step 4 – Pour 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce over the ribs and cook on low for 7 – 8 hours. Click for a 4 quart crockpot slow cooker.

baby back ribs coated in dry rub and bbq sauce in a slow cooker crock pot.

Step 5 – Turn on the broiler in the oven. Spray a broiler pan with non-stick spray and carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker to the pan with the bone side up. I use two pairs of tongs because the meat is very tender and falling apart.

Step 6 – Brush the ribs with half of the remaining barbecue sauce and broil for about 4 minutes, about 10 inches below the broiler.

Step 7 – Carefully turn them over and brush on the remaining barbecue sauce. Broil for 4 more minutes.

two slabs of baby back ribs covered in barbecue sauce on a broiler pan.

Step 8 – Serve and enjoy!

BBQ Ribs Slow Cooker with two slabs of ribs on a plate. — BBQ Ribs Slow Cooker

Pro Tips

You do not need to add any water when cooking ribs in a slow cooker crock pot.

You do not need to boil the ribs before cooking in a slow cooker crock pot.

You can also adjust the heat by eliminating the cayenne pepper or adding more to your taste.

Recipe FAQs

Is it better to cook ribs in the oven or slow cooker?

A slow cooker definitely produces the most tender meat. Oven-baked ribs come in a close second with fall-off-the-bone meat but just not quite as tender as crock pot ribs.

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Zona House

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are so juicy and tender and they are super easy to make. The meat falls right off the bone and combines a blend of dry rub and your favorite barbecue sauce.

4.53 from 23 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 10

Course Pork

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 669 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 1 Tablespoon paprika
▢ ½ Tablespoon light brown sugar
▢ ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or chili powder)
▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
▢ 1 ½ pounds pork baby back ribs (Any kind of ribs will work)
▢ ⅔ cup barbecue sauce (any flavor)

Instructions

In a small bowl mix together the paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over both sides of the ribs.
Arrange the ribs by standing them up against the walls of a 4 quart Crockpot slow cooker, thicker side down and meat against the wall. Click for a 4 quart crockpot.
Pour 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce over the ribs and cook on low for 7 – 8 hours.
Turn on the broiler in the oven. Spray a broiler pan with non-stick spray and carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker to the pan with the bone side up. I use two pair of tongs because the meat is very tender,
Brush the ribs with half of the remaining barbecue sauce and broil for about 4 minutes, 10 inches below the broiler.
Carefully turn the ribs over and brush on the remaining barbecue sauce. Broil for 4 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

You do not need to add any water when cooking ribs in a slow cooker.
You do not need to boil the ribs before cooking in a crock pot.
You can also adjust the spicy heat by eliminating the cayenne pepper or adding more to your taste, or use chili powder.
You can use any kind of pork or beef ribs for this recipe like St. Louis style, spare ribs, or short ribs, but we prefer baby back pork ribs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 669kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 42gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 1753mgPotassium: 849mgFiber: 2gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 2039IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 3mg

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Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!