Slow Cooker Ribs So Tender They Fall Off the Bone
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Weekends, summers, and game days were made for ribs. And Slow Cooker Ribs are the easiest, most delicious, tender ribs you’ll ever have.
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Truly, they are so juicy, tender and delicious, they fall literally off the bone.
These slow cooker ribs are made Memphis style with an easy dry rub and finished with a liberal brush of barbecue sauce.
Often, ribs made in the slow cooker can become wet and sloppy—almost stew-like. For that reason, I add no liquid to the slow cooker and finish the ribs with a quick (3-4 minute) broil in the oven until they are crispy and so, so delicious.
Prep is effortless. I simply cut the ribs crosswise, coat each half with a spice rub, and then arrange the ribs, exposing the bone side down, around the rim of the slow cooker and cooking until tender. Which should be about 4 hours on high or 7 to 8 hours on low.
The guys in my house love these ribs. For such little effort, the reward is huge!
What’s in This Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe?
These ribs are classically flavored with a dry rub recipe everyone loves. You will find the ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is a quick list of what you need to make these delicious crockpot ribs.
- Pork Ribs: Use St. Louis-style pork spare ribs or baby back ribs.
- Smoked Paprika: This brings the best flavor to the ribs, but regular paprika also works.
- Brown Sugar: Don’t skip this ingredient, as it adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
- Dry Rub Spices: This will give complex flavor and enhance the BBQ sauce! You will need garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and ground cumin.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the pork.
- BBQ Sauce: Make your own BBQ sauce or use your favorite store-bought sauce.
Notes on Crockpot Ribs
In this recipe, I’m using St. Louis-style ribs which are typically packaged with two racks weighing about 3 pounds per rack. Baby back ribs are also typically packaged in pairs and will weigh about 3 pound for both racks.
How to Fit the Ribs into the Slow Cooker
In order to fit the ribs into the crockpot, you may need to cut them. Arrange the ribs vertically against the interior wall of the slow cooker with thick ends pointing down (ribs will overlap).
How to tell when ribs are done cooking?
Pork ribs should reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F. However, the longer they cook, the more juicy and pull-apart tender they are. I generally slow cook the ribs to an internal temp around 195°F.
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Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 5-6 pounds pork ribs (2 pkgs) about 2-1/2 to 3 lbs each
Dry Rub
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
Barbecue Sauce
- BBQ sauce homemade or store bought
Equipment
Instructions
- RIBS: Make the dry rub by combining the ingredients in a small bowl. Cut the ribs in half crosswise, then pat dry with paper towels. Coat the ribs all over with the remaining dry rub.
- SLOW COOKER: Arrange the ribs vertically against the interior wall of the slow cooker with thick ends pointing down (ribs will overlap). Cover and cook until ribs are tender, 4 hours on high or 7 to 8 hours on low.
- BROILING: Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack in the baking sheet. Transfer the ribs and meat side up to the prepared rack. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes. Heat the broiler and brush the ribs with barbecue sauce. Broil in the oven until the sauce bubbles and starts to char, about 4 minutes. Remove the ribs from the oven, brush with additional barbecue sauce, and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. With the remaining ½ cup sauce, tent with foil, and let rest for 20 minutes. Cut the ribs and serve!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
When you want a set-and-forget-it recipe, let the slow cooker do all the work. This delicious rib recipe couldn’t be easier and is always a favorite at my house — all year long!
Hi if I only cook one rack of ribs instead of two would the cook time be the same?
Thank you!
Yes – the cooking time should be the same. Just check it during the last hour of cooking.