Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

Introduction

These Crock Pot Ribs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for a relaxed weekend meal. Slow-cooked to fork-tender perfection and finished under the broiler for a delicious charred glaze, they make barbecue effortless and delicious.

Ingredients

• 2 racks baby back ribs (about 3 to 4 pounds)
• 1 onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• ½ cup water
• 2 to 3 tablespoons rib rub (or homemade rib rub)
• ¼ cup ketchup
• ½ cup chili sauce
• ½ cup barbecue sauce (of choice)

Instructions

1. Step 1: If using homemade rub, prepare it by combining all the rub ingredients as desired.
2. Step 2: Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs to improve tenderness. Rub the spice mixture evenly on both sides of the ribs.
3. Step 3: Slice the onion and garlic. Place them along with the water and ribs into the slow cooker.
4. Step 4: Cook the ribs on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours until they are fork tender.
5. Step 5: Preheat your broiler. In a bowl, mix together ketchup, chili sauce, and barbecue sauce.
6. Step 6: Brush the ribs generously with the sauce mixture and broil or grill for 3 to 5 minutes until charred and caramelized.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to your rib rub.
• If you prefer spicier ribs, mix a little hot sauce into the barbecue sauce before brushing.
• Try serving ribs with coleslaw or cornbread for a classic meal.

Storage

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F until warmed through to preserve tenderness. Avoid microwaving, as it can dry out the meat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of ribs?

Baby back ribs work best for this recipe due to their tenderness and size, but you can also use spare ribs. Just adjust the cooking time if needed, as spare ribs may require a bit longer to become tender.

Is it necessary to remove the silver membrane?

Removing the silver membrane from the back of the ribs helps them become more tender and allows the rub and sauce to penetrate better. It’s recommended, but if you skip this step, the ribs may be slightly tougher.

Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 89 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (using high setting)
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x

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Description

Tender and flavorful baby back ribs slow-cooked in a crock pot and finished under the broiler with a tangy barbecue sauce for a perfect charred glaze. This easy recipe delivers fall-off-the-bone ribs with minimal effort, ideal for a comforting meal anytime.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ribs and Seasoning

• 2 racks baby back ribs (about 3 to 4 pounds)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons rib rub (store-bought or homemade as per notes)

Vegetables and Liquid

• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• ½ cup water

Sauce

• ¼ cup ketchup
• ½ cup chili sauce
• ½ cup barbecue sauce of choice

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Instructions

1. Prepare the rub: If you are making a homemade rib rub, combine all the rub ingredients in a bowl based on the recipe provided in the notes.
2. Prep the ribs: Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs to ensure tenderness. Rub both the front and back of the ribs thoroughly with the rib rub to coat evenly.
3. Load the slow cooker: Place the sliced onion, garlic, water, and seasoned ribs inside the crock pot.
4. Cook the ribs: Cook on high heat for 4 hours or on low heat for 8 hours until the ribs are fork-tender and easily pull apart.
5. Make the sauce: While the ribs cook, combine ketchup, chili sauce, and barbecue sauce in a bowl and mix well.
6. Broil the ribs: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Once ribs are done, brush the sauce mixture generously over the ribs. Place under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the sauce chars slightly and caramelizes, creating a delicious glaze.

Notes

• Removing the silver membrane is key to tender ribs; use a paper towel to grip and pull it off easily.
• Homemade rib rub can include paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper for a balanced flavor.
• This recipe can be adapted to a gas grill finish instead of broiling for a smoky flavor.
• Make sure to baste the ribs with sauce before broiling to prevent drying out.
• Leftover ribs reheat well and can be used in sandwiches or salads.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: crock pot ribs, slow cooker ribs, baby back ribs, barbecue ribs, easy ribs recipe, slow cooked ribs