Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs – a foolproof recipe for baby back ribs. These are THE BEST ribs I’ve ever eaten! PLUS they are super easy to make! Simply coat baby back ribs in a homemade BBQ rub and slow cook in the crockpot. Finish them with some BBQ sauce under the broiler. Baby back ribs, brown sugar, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and BBQ sauce. These are better than any restaurant!
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Pin This RecipeEasy Slow Cooker BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Are you looking for a fool-proof recipe for your upcoming Memorial Day cookout? Look no further. These ribs are super easy to make in the crockpot and taste absolutely delicious! This was our first time making baby back ribs in the slow cooker and the result was fall-off-the-bone tender ribs. Hands down the best ribs we’ve ever eaten! Better than any restaurant. You must add these to your summer BBQ list!
How to Make Slow Cooker Ribs
These ribs are very easy to make. Start with making a quick homemade BBQ seasoning. Whisk together brown sugar, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. 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 6-8 hours. Remove ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a sheet pan. 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.
Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- 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 made with ketchup, water, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, Kosher salt, black pepper, and cumin: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-bbq-sauce/
- Feel free to use a store-bought pre-made BBQ seasoning instead of the homemade seasoning below.
- You can make BBQ dry rub in advance and store in an air-tight container for weeks.
- For an extra smoky flavor, pour the barbecue sauce over the cooked ribs and finish on the grill.
- 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 them with BBQ sauce and broil.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Ribs
These ribs are going to be the main attraction at our Memorial Day feast this month! These ribs are super easy to make and taste great! They are always tender and full of great flavor. We will be making these all summer long and for tailgating in the fall!
Our favorite sides to serve alongside the pork ribs are baked beans and potato salad. They are equally delicious with some macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, and coleslaw.
Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with these slow cooker bbq 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
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How many does this serve?
i have everything all ready to go but realized i only have a 5 quart crock pot not 6 will this be an issue?
As long as the ribs fit in the slow cooker, I think it will be just fine.
i have everything all ready to go and realized i only have a 5 quart crock pot not a 6 will this be an issue?
I'm having a hard time getting the ribs to stay up… they keep falling down on their backs or front. I've tried propping them up next to each other to keep them up, but they just keep sliding. Any tips?
I've made this one twice. Excellent on both occasions.
Made this and it's excellent…I let cook for 6 hrs and they fell off bones…think I would try cooking for a shorter time maybe 4 1/2 or 5 hrs.
Made this and it's excellent…I let cook for 6 hrs and they fell off bones…think I would try cooking for a shorter time maybe 4 1/2 or 5 hrs.
These were delicious! My son had ribs at a restaurant a few weeks ago and said these were better.
I use my own rub that I made and its from a rib restaurant in st Louis I also place them on the grill instead of the broiler for a few minutes.
Can I use plain paprika instead of smoked?
Trying these tomorrow for the first time… can't wait. Only thing I decided to do different is brush ribs with liquid smoke then put the rub on and let sit overnight in a ziploc bag. Will let you know how they turned out.
I am going to make this so super excited!
Worked beautifully. Best ribs I have ever made and so simple. I wrapped two Idaho potatoes in foil and placed them in my oval crockpot too.
Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for! Thanks!
We enjoyed ours, too! I will definitely do this again. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Suzzy – I'm so glad you enjoyed them!! We have ribs in the crockpot now!
We just finished these, huge success! Definitely a keeper, thanks for sharing 🙂
Pattie – I am about to put my ribs in the crock pot too! Happy 4th!
What does bone side down / meat side up mean when putting in the crock pot ?
There are two sides to ribs – one has the meat on it, one has just bones. Place the bone side down in the slow cooker.
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!