When I think of comfort food ribs immediately come to mind. Is there anything better than juicy, tender pork ribs with finger-licking barbecue sauce? Using the slow cooker takes ribs to a whole new level of deliciousness. The low gentle heat tenderizes the meat while infusing it with flavor. After hours of simmering away, the ribs become fall-off-the-bone tender.
In this article, I’ll share my secrets for making the most mouthwatering crockpot ribs. The prep work is minimal, and the crockpot does all the work Let’s get started!
Benefits of Cooking Ribs in a Crockpot
There are several advantages to using a slow cooker for ribs rather than conventional oven roasting:
- Requires little prep work – simply season and set to cook
- Produces incredibly tender, pull-apart meat
- Infuses the ribs with lots of flavor
- Allows you to use cheaper cuts of ribs
- Frees up your oven for side dishes
- Keeps your kitchen cool on hot days
- Provides flexibility for meals – cook for 6-8 hours during the day
While oven roasting certainly works, nothing beats the ease and results of slow cooked ribs. The moist heat environment gently penetrates the meat for succulence.
Choosing the Best Ribs for the Crockpot
For fork-tender results, choose pork baby back or loin back ribs. I prefer bone-in for more flavor, but boneless country-style ribs also work well. Avoid pork spare ribs, which have a tougher texture.
Look for ribs with plenty of marbling and a nice layer of fat on top. The melted fat bastes the meat, keeping it incredibly moist.
Aim for around 2 pounds of ribs for a standard 6-quart slow cooker. Much more and you may have trouble fitting them in.
My Simple Seasoning Method
Ribs don’t need much to make them shine. Here’s my straightforward seasoning approach:
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Generously rub the ribs all over with brown sugar. The sugar caramelizes as the ribs cook for incredible depth of flavor.
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Season the ribs with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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For extra zing, I also like to rub on some chili powder.
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Let the seasoned ribs rest at room temperature while you preheat the slow cooker.
That’s all it takes for incredibly tasty ribs! The spices and sugar perfectly complement the flavor of the pork.
Slow Cooking Process for Maximum Tenderness
Here are the simple steps for transforming ribs into a masterpiece using a crockpot:
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Add 1 cup water to the slow cooker to create steam. This method keeps the meat ridiculously moist.
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Place the seasoned ribs in the slow cooker. Make sure they lay flat.
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Set the temperature to LOW and cook for 7-8 hours. The long cook time allows the meat to become sublimely tender.
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Once cooked, carefully remove the ribs from the crockpot. Drain and discard any liquid.
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At this point you can coat the ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce and finish them off under the broiler or on the grill for crispy edges.
And that’s all it takes! The meat pulls right off the bone. Crockpot ribs make the perfect weekend meal or weekday dinner when you want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Serving Suggestions
To make it a full meal, consider these delicious side dishes:
- Baked beans – I love my smoky, sweet & tangy recipe
- Coleslaw or potato salad
- Mac and cheese
- Corn on the cob
- Mashed potatoes
- Biscuits or cornbread
- Watermelon slices
Ribs also pair well with chilled beer or iced tea. For dessert, serve homemade banana pudding. Yum!
Helpful Crockpot Rib Tips
- Remove the membrane from the ribs for tenderness
- Cook on LOW, avoid HIGH heat
- Add liquid like broth, water, or beer
- Layer ribs vertically around the sides
- Use boneless ribs for easier serving
- Finish off ribs under the broiler
- Always let rest 5 minutes before cutting
With my simple technique, you’ll have restaurant-worthy ribs at home. The smell as they cook away all day will have your mouth watering in anticipation!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Ribs
Because the ribs cook low and slow, you’ll likely have leftovers. Here are some storage tips:
- Refrigerate ribs for 3-4 days
- Freeze ribs for up to 3 months
- Reheat ribs in the microwave or oven
- Chop ribs for sandwiches or nachos
- Dice leftover meat into salads or rice bowls
Having ready-to-go ribs makes weeknight meals a breeze. They require minimal time and effort to reheat.
Conclusion
If you want fall-off-the-bone tender ribs with incredible flavor, look no further than the crockpot. Simply season the ribs, set the crockpot, and hours later you’ll have finger-licking perfection. The moist, gentle heat penetrates the meat for maximum tenderness. Serve slow cooked ribs with classic barbecue sides for a mouthwatering meal everyone will love. Once you try this easy set-it-and-forget-it method, oven roasting ribs will be a thing of the past!
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How To Cook Ribs In a Slow Cooker
In this recipe I am providing different cook times depending on the results you are looking for.
Low for 7 hours and high for 3 hours. Soft ribs that stay on the bone (see video below).
High: 4 to 5 hours—Soft ribs that fall apart in your hands and melt in your mouth like butter (see picture below).
Put the ribs in the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker, pour the sauce over them to cover them evenly, and cover the slow cooker. Let it do the rest of the work. After they’re done, put the ribs on a baking sheet, baste them with more of the sauce and juices mixture, and broil (grill) them for 5 to 10 minutes, until the edges are charred and bubbling!
How To Remove Membrane From Ribs Before Cooking
Before cooking, I recommend removing the membrane from the back of the ribs. You don’t have to, but I find that the sauce soaks into the meat better after I take it off the heat.
Slide a fork or a dull knife under the membrane and over a bone at one end of the rack. Lift the membrane off of the bone until it starts to tear. Grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off. It may come off in one piece or it may tear into smaller pieces. (See video BELOW. ).
Warning / disclaimer. These down here were left cooking for 9 hours on low. See how the meat is melting off the bone?.
Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs – Fall Off The Bone BBQ Ribs Recipe
FAQ
Should ribs be covered in liquid in slow cooker?
What liquid is best for ribs?
Do ribs need to be submerged in crock pot?
Are ribs better in the oven or crock pot?
How do you cook ribs in a slow cooker?
Season the ribs. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add to slow cooker. Generously season the ribs and rub the seasoning in using your fingers. Place ribs in the slow cooker. Cook. Cook the slow cooker ribs.
Can you cook pork ribs in a crock pot?
Combine rub mix and massage into prepared ribs. Place onion, garlic and ribs in the slow cooker with a touch of water (or broth). Close the lid and let the crock pot work its magic. Gently remove from the pan, cut ribs apart and serve! Crock Pot Pork Ribs (I use pork baby back ribs) are easy to make as long as you cook them low and slow.
How long do you cook ribs in a crock pot?
In a small bowl, stir together the ingredients for the dry rub. Rub this mixture generously over the outside of the ribs to coat. Put your ribs in the crockpot. Drizzle on 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce, reserving 1/2 cup for later. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. The more racks in the pot, the longer you’ll need to cook.
What to eat with pork ribs in a slow cooker?
Spicy – If you like a little it of spice to your slow cooker pork ribs, try adding a little bit of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes into the mix. For sides we like to serve ribs with potato salad , Baked Beans , Corn on the cob , macaroni salad , squash casserole or a nice Kale Salad!