This EASY Slow Cooker Ribs recipe results in the most tender BBQ ribs with very little effort.
Looking for more slow cooker recipes? Try Crock Pot Baked Ziti, Beef Noodle Soup, or Pot Roast!
We make Slow Cooker Ribs often on Sundays because I love having something wonderful to eat for family dinner, but low maintenance so I can enjoy a day off. They only require 15 minutes to prep, and you don’t have to babysit them at all while they cook. They’re restaurant quality and will wow your dinner guests!
Pro Tips:
Type of Ribs to Buy: baby back ribs, spare ribs, or country-style ribs will work for this slow cooker recipe. (I prefer baby back pork ribs. Costco sells high quality, well prices ribs in a three-pack.)
Remove membrane, if needed: Depending on where you purchase them, the ribs may still have a white, shiny membrane connective tissue on the back (bone side) that needs to be removed. Place the ribs meat-side down and slide your fingers under the membrane and use force to pull it off.
How to Make BBQ Ribs in the Slow Cooker:
Cut Rack of Ribs (Optional): You can leave the rack whole and curl it around the slow cooker if it fits well. Otherwise, cut the rack into a few sections.
Season the ribs on both sides with salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and brown sugar. Lay them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or foil.
Quick Pre-Bake: Bake the ribs at 400 degrees for 15 minutes on each side to seal in the juices and render some of the fat. Alternately, throw them on the grill on HIGH for 5 minutes on each side.
Place in Slow Cooker: Layer the ribs in the bottom of your slow cooker or curl the rack around the inside. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. Mine are usually done cooking around the 4 hour mark. You want them to be tender, but no meat falling off the bone.
Serve: Baste the ribs with more bbq sauce and serve with your favorite sides (see my suggestions below).
Serve With:
- Creamed Potatoes and Peas
- Corn Salad
- Cornbread.
- Corn on the cob (grilled or instant pot).
- Potato salad
- Perfect Mashed Potatoes
- Au Gratin Potatoes
- Roasted Vegetables
- Homemade Rolls
- Classic Wedge Salad
- Brussels Sprouts Salad
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Recipe
Slow Cooker Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 rack pork ribs* (about 2 lbs)
- 32 ounces BBQ sauce*
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Season the ribs generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Rub garlic powder, onion powder and brown sugar onto both sides of the ribs.
- Pre-Bake: Line a large baking sheet with tinfoil or parchment paper. Bake the ribs on prepared pan for 15 minutes. Flip the ribs to the other side and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Slow Cook: Place the rack of ribs around the inside of the slow cooker, meat side facing out. Alternately, cut the ribs into a few sections and place them in the slow cooker. Smother them in some barbecue sauce, reserving some sauce for serving later. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, until tender but not falling off the bone.
- Serve warm with extra barbecue sauce slathered on top.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe October 2017. Updated November 2019 and September 2022.
Excellent recipe! Easy ribs that don’t take a huge amount of effort to make. My boys love it with mac & cheese.
Most recipes have you do the rub a day beforehand can I still due that for extra flavor?
Of course! Enjoy!
These fall off the bone baby back ribs are amazing! Absolutely delicious and unbelievably easy! Both of our favorite rib joints closed so we have been on the hunt for perfect ribs for a long time. My husband said, “This is it!” Thank you
Lauren!!
I make mine just in the slow cooker. I don’t start them in the oven. I call it one of my dump recipes…just season and dump them in the crockpot with bbq sauce (except I put pineapple preserves on top of the ribs first). Low for 8 hours, fall off the bone tender!
Do you remove the membrane from the back? Will beef ribs work?
Your recipes are spot-on they are all wonderful!
Yes and yes!
Typo on my last question…I would like to make a large batch of these for a crowd in my electric roaster (not toaster). How long would you recommend cooking them in a roaster and at what temp?
Thank you!
Shannon
I made these and they were excellent! I want to make them again but I’d like to make them in my electric toaster. How long would you recommend cooking them in a roaster and at what temp?
Thank you – love your recipes!
Shannon
I, too, have always wondered how I can better utilize my toaster ;p
Can the ribs be prepared the day before rub and oven and then put in crock pot the next day to cook?
If I don’t have parchment paper can I still do in over or can I just put straight into slow cooker?
Yes, just grease the pan first so they don’t stick.
I have never been a rib fan; I have always thought they are too messy and difficult to eat with any sense of dinner table manners. To add to that, I have had false teeth for several years now which deepened my aversion to eating ribs. Well, a friend of mine has a February birthday and loves ribs and since I (modestly admit that I) am a pretty experienced home cook and Winn-Dixie always has BOGOs on ribs, I thought I would give it a try. I specifically sought out a slow cooker recipe to ensure that I wouldn’t have to whip up a batch of mac and cheese while my friend nibbled his b-day special ribs. I found your recipe, improvised a bit on sauce and seasoning, and the result was astonishing. I slow cooked for ten hours on low and the meat practically melted in our mouths. Another rib sale this weekend means that tonight I will be making these for the 3rd time in as many months. Thanks so much for helping me get over my ribophobia!