Easy Crock Pot Ribs aren’t just easy, they are delicious when you use the slow cooker. The whole family is going to love this ribs recipe!.
Pork rib tips are an underrated and affordable cut of meat that become incredibly tender and flavorful when cooked low and slow in a crock pot. If you’ve never tried cooking rib tips before, you’re missing out! When cooked properly, the meat literally falls right off the bone
At my house, crockpot rib tips are a regular meal in our dinner rotation. The prep is simple, they cook unattended while I’m at work, and the end result is always a big hit with my family. The meat pulls cleanly off the bones, is infused with a sweet and tangy barbecue flavor, and the house fills up with the incredible aroma of slow cooked ribs.
In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make pork rib tips in the crock pot so they turn out perfectly cooked and deeply flavored every time.
Benefits of Cooking Rib Tips in a Slow Cooker
Rib tips are small pieces of meat cut from the lower portion of the pork spareribs They contain a good amount of fat and connective tissue
This makes them ideal for slow cooker recipes, since the low steady heat breaks down the collagen and fat to make the meat incredibly tender. The long cooking time also allows the seasonings and sauce to fully penetrate the meat for bold flavor in every bite.
Choosing rib tips over other pork cuts like loin or chops saves money. And unlike pork shoulder or pork butt, rib tips cook faster because the pieces are smaller. You can make them in the crockpot in 4-6 hours rather than 8-10.
Cooking rib tips in a slow cooker also frees up your oven. You can use it for side dishes while the crockpot does the work of braising the meat. And clean up is easier since you aren’t dealing with a hot oven or messy grill.
Finally, the hands-off cooking of a slow cooker makes rib tips an easy weeknight dinner. Just throw in the ingredients in the morning and dinner is ready when you get home from work.
Choosing and Preparing Rib Tips for the Slow Cooker
When selecting rib tips at the store, look for pieces with lots of fat and bone. The bone adds flavor as the meat cooks, and the fat helps keep the meat tender. Aim for pieces roughly 2-3 inches in size so they cook evenly.
About 1 pound of rib tips is enough to feed 3-4 people. They shrink down a lot during the long cooking time.
Ribs tips usually come with a membrane covering the underside of the meat. Remove this before cooking so seasonings and sauce can penetrate fully. Just slide a butter knife under the membrane to loosen, then grab it with a paper towel and peel it off.
For extra flavor, I like to coat the ribs with a dry rub before cooking. A simple blend of brown sugar, chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder does the trick. Let the ribs sit for 10 minutes after applying the rub so the spices really stick to the meat.
Choosing a BBQ Sauce
The sauce is key for adding sticky sweetness and bold barbecue flavor. For crockpot rib tips, look for a sauce with complex flavor but not too much acidity.
Thick, molasses or brown sugar based sauces are a good choice because the mild acid won’t break down the meat too much during the long cooking time. Sweet and smoky or bourbon flavors also pair well with pork.
About 3/4 cup of sauce per pound of meat is perfect. Reserve some to brush on at the end after cooking to glaze and tack up the ribs.
I like to mix in a bit of liquid smoke to the sauce for extra smoky flavor without needing a smoker. A teaspoon per pound of meat does the trick.
Step-by-Step Crockpot Rib Tips Recipe
Follow this simple process for tender fall-off-the-bone rib tips every time:
Prep the ribs: Remove membrane, pat dry, coat with spice rub, and let sit 10 minutes
Add to slow cooker: Place ribs in crockpot and pour 3/4 of the BBQ sauce over the top
Cook on Low: Cover and cook for 4-6 hours until ribs are fork tender
Broil or grill: Transfer ribs to a baking sheet, brush with remaining sauce and broil 3-5 minutes per side until sticky (Can also grill briefly instead of broiling)
Enjoy! The ribs should pull cleanly off the bone and be infused with flavor
The hands-off crockpot cooking does most of the work. The only tricky part is avoiding over or undercooking.
For 1 pound of rib tips, cook on Low for:
- 4 hours for very fall-off-the-bone tender
- 5 hours for a bit more toothsome texture
- 6 hours max to avoid drying out
The broiling or grilling at the end firms up the sauce into a nice sticky glaze on the ribs.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Rib Tips
Here are a few of my tips after making ribs in the slow cooker many times:
- Trim off any hard fat before cooking so it doesn’t make the sauce greasy
- Cut rib pieces roughly equal size so they cook evenly
- Layer ribs meat-side up in the pot
- Cover but vent lid slightly to allow steam to escape
- Don’t peek! Lifting the lid extends cook time
- Use tongs to test doneness rather than a fork
- Broil meat-side up first to avoid drying out
Side Dishes for Serving
Crockpot rib tips pair well with classic barbecue sides:
- Baked beans – Sweet and tangy baked beans complement the ribs
- Coleslaw – Cool creamy coleslaw balances the sticky ribs
- Corn on the cob – Grilled corn on the cob makes a nice fresh side
- Potato salad – Vinegar-based potato salad cuts through the richness
- Garlic bread – Buttery garlic bread soaks up any extra sauce
For an easy meal, pick up pre-made sides at the grocery store deli. Or round out the meal with simple sides like steamed veggies, cornbread, or rice.
Make Delicious Crockpot Rib Tips Tonight!
If you’ve never tried cooking pork rib tips in the slow cooker before, I highly recommend giving them a try. It’s one of the easiest ways to get incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with big flavor.
By following the tips in this article, you’re guaranteed rib tips that become melt-in-your-mouth tender after a few hours in the crock pot. Slather them with your favorite barbecue sauce and serve alongside classic barbecue sides. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon – it’s finger-licking good!
Tips from Leigh Anne
- Serve the ribs with some BBQ sauce on the side.
- If the ribs are done before you’re ready to eat them, just put them in the oven at 150 degrees F wrapped in foil to keep them warm.
- To make clean up easy, use a crock pot liner. You won’t have to scrub off sauce that has turned caramelized or burned. You can find them in the grocery store next to the plastic bags and aluminum foil.
How to Make Crock Pot Ribs
If the ribs still have a membrane attached, go ahead and remove it.
- Paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper should all be mixed together to make the rub.
- Use the rub on both sides of the rack of ribs. You only need to rub it into both sides of the ribs with your fingers.
- Put the ribs in the crock pot so that the meaty side is facing the inside wall.
- Put two to three cups of your favorite BBQ sauce on top of the ribs.
- Add the lid and turn the crock pot on low. Let the crock pot ribs cook for 4-5.
- For sure they are done when the meat falls off the bone. Take them out of the crock pot.
- Brush the ribs with more BBQ sauce. Put it under the broiler for a few minutes to make the sauce brown.
- Cut the ribs apart using a sharp knife. Just cut between the bones into the meaty section.
How to Make BBQ Rib Tips in a Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
How long do you cook pork ribs in a crock pot?
Lightly spray the crock of a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk together the undiluted mushroom soup, pork gravy packet, and chicken broth. Add the pork, onion, and bell pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
How do you cook pork ribs in a slow cooker?
Simply spray the crock of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or line it with one of those nifty slow cooker liners for easy clean up. Toss the cut pork, a chopped onion, chopped bell pepper (any color will work), some chicken broth, a can of cream of mushroom soup, and a packet of pork gravy mix and stir it all up.
How do you cook Rib tips in a slow cooker?
Cooking rib tips in a slow cooker gives you tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. Finish them off under the broiler, or throw them on the grill for a few minutes. Mix together brown sugar, chili powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl until combined. Add rib tips and mix until ribs are thoroughly coated.
Can you cook ribs in a crockpot?
Meet the most fall-off-the-bone tender, no oven, I-think-I’m-gonna-need-a-bigger-bib Crockpot Ribs. Do yourself and every rib lover in your life a finger-lickin’ favor: put a batch in your slow cooker. Baby backs, spare ribs, country…this recipe works with any of your favorite cuts. WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?