These Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs couldn’t be simpler! They have a homemade spice rub and are slow cooked until they fall off the bone, then you can slather them in any barbecue sauce you like! Includes how to recipe video
Maybe this seems really strange to you, but ribs aren’t actually my favorite thing to eat in the summer. They’re just a little messy, you know? I’ll take a burger or a hot dog or grilled chicken or pizza or pretty much anything first. (This Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin? A little more my style 😉 )
I guess I’m just not one to dig in and get dirty, unless we’re talking about a bowl of Grandma’s Hot Fudge Sundae Cake, which is a completely different story.
But I wanted to give them another try in the slow cooker, because the hubs loves them and, well, Father’s Day is coming folks! I had seen a slow cooker ribs recipe in one of my cookbooks and it has been on list to make forever.
I feel like it’s an awesome recipe for segueing from Spring to Summer. You can have all of that summer barbecue flavor, without all of the work. And when it’s too hot to even think about cooking, the slow cooker takes all of the work out and keeps the house cool.
To be completely honest, I think these are the best ribs I’ve ever made. I wanted them to be tender, with the meat easily pulling off the bone but not mushy and falling apart. I wanted a good crust of intense flavor and a sweet, sticky barbecue sauce coating. Also, I wanted easy!
The husband gave them “two meaty thumbs up” (<— his words, as he was stuffing his face), and even my kids liked them!
I wanted to include a barbecue sauce recipe with these ribs, but I just have so many favorites that I thought I would let you choose for yourself! This Pineapple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce has always been a favorite on The Recipe Rebel, and there’s also this Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce (which would go perfectly on these ribs!).
If you’re not feeling up to making your own (although really, you can make a big batch and keep baggies in the freezer alllllllll summer long!), feel free to use your favorite store bought. I won’t judge!
If you’re looking for more easy slow cooker barbecue recipes, try this Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Pulled Pork. And if you’re wondering what to serve them with? Try this Creamy Italian Potato Salad or this Layered Broccoli Salad!
Watch the recipe video!
*NOTE: I usually use pork side ribs for this recipe, but baby back ribs should work just as well. If you’d like to remove the membrane from the backside of the ribs (this is optional), you can find a tutorial herea tutorial here.
Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2-3 lbs pork ribs (side or back)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine chili powder, brown sugar. cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
- Cut ribs into 4 sections (if desired -- you could leave them whole). Rub spice mixture over both sides of the ribs.
- Lightly grease a 4 quart slow cooker and line the sections of ribs up around the edges (so the meaty part is pressed against the side). Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove from the slow cooker, brush with barbecue sauce, and grill for 5-6 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes, until sauce is sticky and slightly caramelized. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition (this is an estimate)
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.1 lg (about 2.5lbs) pork ribs
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- In a small bowl, combine chili powder, brown sugar. cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
- Cut ribs into 4 sections (if desired — you could leave them whole). Rub spice mixture over both sides of the ribs.
- Lightly grease a 4 quart slow cooker and line the sections of ribs up around the edges (so the meaty part is pressed against the side). Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove from the slow cooker, brush with barbecue sauce, and grill for 5-6 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes, until sauce is sticky and slightly caramelized. Serve.
Cynthia says
Is it ok to use a crockpot liner while cooking these?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, absolutely!
Ashley says
If I want to do more ribs than it calls for is it okay if the ribs aren’t touching the side of the crockpot? Like I would still kind of stand them up so they don’t sit in the juices the whole time.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, that will work fine!
Karen says
These are better than restaurant ribs! Love the rub and also the pineapple brown sugar BBQ sauce. I’ll never buy jar sauce again. These are so yummy!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Karen! I’m thrilled to hear that!
Jason Jungling says
Haven’t made before, I put the rub on tonight, and will be inserting then in the crock pot tomorrow morning as I head off to work. I’m thinking of adding a bit of liquid smoke to get that smoke flavor.
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great idea! I hope you like them!
Hoosiersmoker says
I resort to the crock pot once it gets too cold outside to maintain temp in my smoker. I have a large crock pot and have cooked 3 full racks of ribs at a time. The night before after removing the membrane I rub them, wrap them and refrigerate over night. 8-10 hrs or so before I serve them I just trim them to length, stand them on edge and curl them all together drop in the trimmed parts and turn it to low for 8-10 hrs. It’s great to come home from work to ribs! If you add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to your sauce it really gives it that outdoor flavor too!
Gerlinde says
I am definitely going to try these since I still have some homemade barbecue sauce.
Ashley Fehr says
That will be delicious I’m sure!
Michelle says
I’ve never put the ribs along the sides of the crockpot before, is that so they cook differently?
Ashley Fehr says
It is so they don’t sit in the juices and they get a little crispier being closer to the heat.
The Culinary Caper says
Have you ever tried grilling them afterward? My family likes that charred flavor, so when I bake my ribs I usually toss them on the grill for a few minutes.
The Culinary Camper says
Ha! Nevermind, I dug a little deeper. I’ve never tried ribs in a slow cooker. This might be something to try this winter when I don’t want to be outside in the cold.
Ashley Fehr says
No problem! Yes I do usually grill or broil just to crisp them up on the outside 🙂
Grace says
Havetyou doubled up the recipe in a larger crockpot? I need at twice the amount.
Ashley Fehr says
I haven’t but I’m sure it would work fine!
Jutina Cole says
Hello, they need to be thawed first.
Ashley Fehr says
What are you even talking about? Did anyone call for frozen ribs?
Roxanne Thomas says
Can you cook them in crock pot on high for 4 to 6 hours?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, definitely! I think 4 hours would be lots.
Wayne says
Did you remove the membrane?
Ashley Fehr says
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t, but I will make a note with instructions for those who want to.
Mariya says
No salt?
Ashley Fehr says
There’s tons of flavor already in the rub, it’s not really necessary! Feel free to add some in if you like.
Mariya says
I just can’t imagine how it will Taste without salt but I’m excited to try it! I’ll let u know when I do how we like them. Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Let me know what you think!
Theresa says
I dont usually cook with salt especially ig using spices and never any problem
The AntiCook says
Do you need to boil or pre-cook them in any way?
Ashley Fehr says
Nope, definitely not! They cook in the slow cooker.
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
How amazing would these ribs be for a cookout?? I looooove that you can just stick ’em in the crockpot and forget about ’em for awhile! That dry rub sounds SO flavorful!
Ashley Fehr says
Oh my word, it’s my favorite thing these days! Thanks Sarah!