Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
These Slow Cooker Ribs are tender, saucy, and finished under the broiler for sticky BBQ edges. An easy crockpot ribs recipe with baby back ribs, BBQ seasoning, BBQ sauce, and simple tips to keep the ribs tender without turning mushy.
Servings: 8
Calories: 371kcal
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Pork Ribs about 1 rack, I'm using pork baby back ribs, but St. Louis style works too
- ⅓ cup BBQ Seasoning click for my recipe
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce divided - ½ cup for slow cooking and ½ cup for basting before broiling, your favorite bbq sauce works
- 1 cup Chicken Broth or a soda like Cola, Cherry Cola, or Dr. Pepper
Optional: Serving Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp BBQ seasoning
- 3 tbsp Cooking Liquid the liquid from the crockpot after the ribs finish cooking
Instructions
- Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs, if needed.
- Cut the rack into sections if needed so the ribs fit in the slow cooker in a flat layer without stacking.
- Season the ribs all over with the BBQ seasoning.
- Place the ribs in the slow cooker.
- Pour the broth and 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce over and around the ribs.
- Slow cook the ribs: Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours (or low for 6 to 8 hours), or until the ribs are tender.
- Finish the ribs: Transfer the ribs to a broiler-safe baking sheet or dish.
- Brush the ribs with the remaining 1/2 cup BBQ sauce.
- Broil at 450℉ for 3-5 minutes, or until the tops and edges start to char.
- Make the serving sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 1 tablespoon BBQ seasoning, and 3 tablespoons cooking liquid until combined.
- Serve: Brush the ribs with some of the serving sauce if desired, then serve the rest on the side.
Notes
- Remove the membrane if needed: This helps the seasoning stick and keeps the ribs easier to eat.
- Cut the ribs to fit: Smaller sections fit better in the slow cooker and cook more evenly.
- Save sauce for the end: Use some sauce while cooking, then brush on fresh sauce before broiling for sticky edges.
- Cook until tender, not mushy: The ribs should bend easily and feel tender, but still hold together when moved.
- Watch the broiler: BBQ sauce can darken quickly, so keep an eye on the ribs during the final few minutes.
- Use broth or cola: Chicken broth keeps the flavor savory, while cola adds a sweet BBQ-style flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1377mg | Potassium: 314mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
