Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs – a foolproof recipe for baby back ribs. These re THE BEST ribs I’ve ever eaten! SO easy to make – coat baby back ribs in a homemade BBQ rub and slow cook in the crockpot. Finish with some BBQ sauce. These are better than any restaurant!
Are you looking for a fool-proof recipe for your 4th of July party? Look no further. These ribs are super easy and absolutely delicious! It’s been so hot here lately that I decided to try making ribs in the crock pot. The result was fall of the bone tender ribs. They tasted amazing, and we didn’t have to stand out in the heat to make them!
I bought the ribs at Costco, and they come with the membrane already removed. That is a huge timesaver for me! I took another shortcut and basted the ribs with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. Delicious!! These ribs are going to be the main attraction at our 4th of July feast next week!
These Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are a favorite at our house. They are super easy to make and taste great! The ribs are always tender and full of great flavor. We like to make them for summer holidays and the Super Bowl! Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with these ribs:
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Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Equipment:
Ingredients:
Rub
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- 1½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Ribs
- 3 racks baby back ribs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- To make rub, whisk together all spices. Set aside.
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. Season both sides of the ribs with rub. Slice racks in half. Place ribs vertically in a 6-quart slow cooker, with the larger cut bone side down and meat side out. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
- Remove ribs from slow cooker and place on baking sheet. Brush with BBQ sauce and place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, until BBQ sauce is bubbly. Serve with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.
Notes:
- It is very important to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. The membrane does not soften when it’s cooked. It just comes out tough and chewy.
- To remove the membrane, slide a dinner knife under the membrane and over a bone on the back of the rack of ribs. Lift and loosen the membrane until it tears. Grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off.
- I bought my ribs at Costco, and they come with the membrane already removed. That is a huge timesaver for me!
- My favorite store-bought BBQ sauces are G. Hughes, Sweet Baby Rays, Stubbs, and Williamson Brothers.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade BBQ Sauce: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-bbq-sauce/
- Feel free to use a store-bought pre-made BBQ seasoning instead of the homemade seasoning below.
- Can make BBQ rub in advance and store in an air-tight container for weeks.
- Can Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs be made in advance? Yes! You can rub ribs with BBQ seasoning and refrigerate overnight before cooking.
- You can also cook the ribs in the slow cooker and refrigerate them overnight before adding the sauce. When ready to serve, reheat the ribs covered in the oven and then brush with BBQ sauce and broil.
Steph
Pattie – I am about to put my ribs in the crock pot too! Happy 4th!
I just turned on the crock pot! Can't wait to try these later today.
I'm so glad I saw this, gonna check with my family to see if we can put this on the menu for Wednesday!
Wow, this recipe looks too good to be true. I love ribs but not the grilling part. This will be perfect for 4th of July dinner.
i love your recipes in the paper,first time to your web site,thanks for answering ? so fast! have a good holiday.
Alan – do not add any liquid to the crockpot
do you add water
Ribs ribs ribs, loves me some ribs.
I think I could be forced to eat a rack or two!
Yum! must try! thanks!
I was just looking online yesterday for a recipe for ribs for the crockpot as our grill is out of commission! Great timing! These ribs look delicious – I'm definitely trying these for the 4th. Thanks!
You stand the ribs up on their bones – don't lay them down in the crockpot. This helps keep them out of the fat and juices
looks great! Did you mean lay them horizontally?
Im going to make it
A quick and simple recipe that looks amazingly delicious!