Melt-in-your-mouth tender slow cooker baby back ribs need just 10 minutes of prep and 3 ingredients! Finished under the broiler for that perfect sticky BBQ glaze, these are the easiest ribs you’ll ever make.
Ellen’s Notes
These easy slow cooker ribs are one of my go-to recipes all summer long. They’re incredibly simple to make… Just season, toss in the crockpot, and let the slow cooker do all the work. The meat turns out so tender it practically falls off the bone, and after a quick broil to caramelize the sauce? Absolute magic.
One of the best parts? You can easily switch up the flavor by using different BBQ sauces. For parties, I will set up a mini “rib bar” with a few different flavor options. Sweet, spicy, tangy, or even Japanese or Korean style so everyone can try a little of everything. It’s fun, simple to do in advance, and always a hit with our guests!
Key Ingredient Notes
Below you will find helpful notes and substitutions for a few key ingredients for making this easy crockpot ribs recipe. Visit the printable recipe card below for the full ingredient amounts.
- Pork Ribs: While we love pork baby back ribs for their tenderness and quick cooking time, you can also use St. Louis style ribs or even spare ribs in this recipe. Spare and St. Louis ribs are meatier and take a bit longer to cook (about 7–8 hours on low). For country style ribs, we recommend you follow our recipe this slow cooker country style ribs instead.
- BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite brand or flavor: sweet, smoky, spicy. We personally like to use sweet baby rays barbecue sauce.
- Rib Seasoning: You can use your favorite store-bought rib rub, but for the very best flavor, try my easy homemade dry rub for ribs.
Tips For Making Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
With just 10 minutes of prep, the crockpot does all the heavy lifting for a stress-free bbq dinner! Below is a quick recipe overview with a few helpful tips for making sure your slow cooker baby back ribs turn out perfect. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full instructions.
Prepare the ribs: One of the most important steps for getting ultra-tender ribs is removing the silver skin (membrane) from the back of the rack. You can use a knife to lift the edge and pull it off, or some people use a paper towel to grip and peel it off. Then cut the rack of ribs into halves or thirds to fit into your slow cooker better and ensure even cooking.
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Apply the dry rub: Season generously, coating both sides of the ribs. For even more flavor, season them the night before and refrigerate overnight to let the spices really sink in.
Cook on low: Cooking ribs on low heat allows the meat to slowly break down, making it extra tender and juicy. High heat cooks them faster, but can make the ribs tough or dry. For best results, low and slow is the way to go.
Broil to set the sauce: Once the ribs are cooked and tender, you will brush them with the bbq sauce. You can serve them right away, but we like to broil the sauced ribs for just a couple of minutes. This caramelizes the BBQ sauce, giving the ribs a sticky, flavorful glaze with a slight char similar to grilled ribs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 6-quart slow cooker will work if you are cooking 2-3 lbs of ribs, with an 8-quart slow cooker being ideal for 3-4 lbs of ribs.
Yes, you can use beef ribs in this recipe! They’re larger and richer than pork ribs, so they’ll need a bit more time to cook, about 8 to 9 hours on low.
Nope! They release their own juices as they cook, and too much added liquid can make them soggy and dilute the flavor. However, you can add about ¼ to ½ cup of water, broth, or beer, if desired.
Absolutely! Season them with the dry rub, wrap them up tight, and refrigerate overnight. This also helps to make the meat even more flavorful and saves on prep time the next day.
Yes, you can definitely make these ribs ahead of time! Cook them fully in the slow cooker, then store them in the fridge (without sauce) for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, warm them in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil so they stay juicy. Then brush on BBQ sauce and broil them (without foil) for a few minutes to get that sticky, caramelized finish. Perfect for prepping before a party!
Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs pork baby back ribs
- 4 tablespoons dry rib rub
- ½ cup bbq sauce, plus more for serving
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Instructions
- Remove the silver lining (membrane) from the back of the ribs. You can start this with a knife, then pull to remove the membrane. You can also use a paper towel to grab the membrane while removing it.
- Rinse and pat the ribs dry. Cut the rack of ribs in halves or thirds so they will fit into the crockpot. Then season the ribs, coating them evenly on all sides with the rib rub.
- Spray an 8-quart crockpot with non-stick spray. Place the ribs in the crockpot.
- Cook on low 5 to 6 hours, until tender and cooked through. We don't recommend cooking them on high heat, as they will not be as tender.
- Turn on the broiler on low in the oven. Remove ribs from the crockpot and place them on a baking sheet. Brush the ribs with your favorite bbq sauce and broil for about 2 to 3 minutes to set the sauce. Serve immediately with more bbq sauce, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Ribs?
Slow cooker ribs pair perfectly with a variety of classic bbq side dishes! For a classic BBQ-style plate, serve them with creamy mashed potatoes, creamy broccoli mac and cheese, or skillet fried corn.
You can also add baked beans, green beans with bacon, or buttery cornbread to round out the meal. For something lighter, go with a garden salad, cucumber tomato salad, or chilled red potato salad.
More Easy BBQ Recipes
- Crockpot bbq chicken is just as easy as these crockpot ribs!
- You also can’t go wrong with this classic crockpot pulled pork.
- Coated in sticky bbq sauce, we love these easy air fryer chicken legs.
- Juicy grilled chicken pineapple kabobs are grilled to perfection.
