No smoker? No problem! These easy slow cooker BBQ ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and made with just a few simple ingredients. An optional finish on the grill gives them a smoky flavor and crisp edge. (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free)
I grew up eating real Texas BBQ on the weekends at my family lake house as a kid - brisket and ribs slow-smoked all day long in a large smoker filled with wood smoke. And while that's the ideal way to cook ribs, we don't all have smokers, or an entire day to watch meat cook on fire. For those of use without a real smoker (or even a backyard!), there's the slow cooker!
What You Came Here To Find Out: Slow Cooker Ribs Cook Time
Cook ribs on low heat for 8 hours in the slow cooker or crock pot. Keep reading for more information you may find helpful.
Why Make Ribs In The Slow Cooker?
If you don't have access to a smoker or charcoal grill, the slow cooker is the next best thing for cooking BBQ ribs. Why? Because it keeps a low, steady temperature for the ribs to slowly cook to tender perfection without drying out. And even better, you don't have to watch them for hours. You truly just set it and forget it!
Why You'll Love These Slow Cooker Ribs
These BBQ baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and simply delicious. An optional stint on the grill to finish gives the edges a beautiful char and a nice smoky flavor. These ribs are effortless, with just a few pantry ingredients and hands-off cooking for the majority of the time.
How To Make BBQ Ribs In The Slow Cooker
- Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs by sliding a dull knife between the membrane and the first rib bone. Hold on tight with your hands and pull it back until you've removed the membrane from the entire rack.
- Cut the rack in half and sprinkle generously with kosher salt, pepper and garlic powder. Drizzle with olive oil and rub all over the outside of the ribs.
- Add apple cider vinegar to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place ribs in, meat side up.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove ribs and brush with your favorite sauce. Either slice and enjoy them now, or finish them on the grill!
Finishing On The Grill
The slow cooker works its magic for super tender ribs, but if you really want a smoky flavor and the delicious crispy ends, finishing them on the grill is the way to go! Heat your grill to medium heat (you can use gas or charcoal). Place the ribs on the grill over direct heat for 10 minutes, then move to indirect heat for 5-10 minutes.
If you really want a wood smoke flavor, you can use wood chips while cooking on the grill. Soak wood chips for at least 30 minutes, then drain and place on a piece of foil over direct heat to generate smoke. Leave them on the grill while finishing the ribs. These smoke packets are also handy!
Delicious Sides To Serve With BBQ Ribs
- Mom's Mustard Potato Salad (Made Healthy)
- Homemade Baked Beans
- Homemade Texas Style Barbecue Sauce
- The Best Easy Pinto Beans
- Peach Avocado Caprese Salad
- Everything Summer Caprese Zucchini Noodle Salad
- Healthy Skillet Cornbread
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
PrintEasy Slow Cooker Ribs
No smoker? No problem! These easy slow cooker BBQ ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and made with just a few simple ingredients. An optional finish on the grill gives them a smoky flavor and crisp edge. (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 ribs 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: crockpot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce of choice
- Wood chips (optional for finishing on grill)
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs by sliding a dull knife (such as a butter knife) under the membrane along the first rib. Grab the membrane and pull back until you've removed it along the entire rack. Cut rack in half.
- Generously sprinkle ribs with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Drizzle with olive oil and rub all over ribs.
- Pour apple cider vinegar in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add ribs, meat side up, and close the lid. Cook on low heat for 8 hours.
- Remove the ribs and brush with sauce.
- Finish on the grill (optional): Heat grill to medium heat. Place ribs over direct heat, meat side up, and cook for 10 minutes. Move to indirect heat and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Remove ribs from grill, slice, and serve.
Notes
- You really don't have to measure the salt, pepper, garlic and oil. I just included measurements as a reference point.
- If you're really committed to a wood smoke flavor, you can use wood chips to generate smoke when you finish the ribs on the grill. Soak wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes. Drain and place on a piece of foil. At the edge of the grill while preheating to generate smoke. Keep the wood chips on the grill while finishing the ribs. These smoke packets are also really handy!
- If necessary, check to make sure your BBQ sauce is gluten-free.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: crock pot ribs, slow cooker ribs, easy slow cooker BBQ ribs
Kay McCormick says
Your recipe for crock pot ribs LOOKS great, but I only want to print the recipe and instructions. I've tried twice first putting in page 18 then again putting in page 17. With EACH ONE, I received the very same page...the one with your copyright information. I do not want to copy 17 or 18 pages of stuff I will not need or use. I'm going to try one more time using just the picture. If you have any good suggestions, PLEASE let me know. Thank you.
Kaleigh says
Hi Kay, There is a print button near the recipe title. That should give you just the recipe. Enjoy!
catsonthebed says
I have found that it you cook the ribs with the bare minimum of onion, garlic and pepper for 8 to 10 hours. Then drain liquid (reserving it you need it) and mix the sauce with the ribs you don't get a watered down version.Pioneer Woman's recipe is done like this and it comes out perfectly every time!
AZ@...And a Dash of Cinnamon says
These look amazing and truly sound easy! A lot easier/hands free than other rib recipes I know of! Crock pots are awesome
Kaleigh says
Thanks so much! They are super easy!
nutritioulicious says
Andy would be all over these! He misses the days when he could cook pork at home!
Kaleigh says
You can send him to stay with us for a weekend! 😉