Description
This Festive Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs recipe offers tender, flavorful ribs cooked low and slow in a crockpot, perfectly seasoned with a homemade BBQ rub and finished with a rich BBQ sauce. It’s an easy and delicious way to enjoy fall-off-the-bone ribs with minimal prep and cooking time, ideal for family gatherings or festive meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Ribs
- 3 to 3½ pounds pork baby back ribs (3.25 lbs used in recipe)
BBQ Rub
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
BBQ Sauce
- 2½ cups BBQ sauce, divided (2 cups and ½ cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the Rub: In a small bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and cumin until well combined.
- Season the Ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if desired. Rub the BBQ rub mixture thoroughly over both sides of the ribs, pressing it into the meat for maximum flavor.
- Arrange in Slow Cooker: Coil or cut the rack of ribs to fit inside your slow cooker. Place the ribs inside the slow cooker in a single layer if possible, or slightly overlapping.
- Cook Slowly: Pour 2 cups of BBQ sauce over the ribs to coat them. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the ribs are tender and the meat starts to pull away from the bones.
- Finish with Sauce: Once cooked, carefully remove the ribs and place them on a baking sheet or serving platter. Brush the ribs with the remaining ½ cup BBQ sauce.
- Optional Broil for Texture: If desired, broil the ribs in the oven for 3-5 minutes to caramelize the sauce and add a slightly crispy texture, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Let ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing between the bones. Serve with your favorite sides and extra BBQ sauce as desired.
Notes
- Removing the membrane from the back of ribs improves tenderness and flavor penetration.
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce brand to customize the flavor profile.
- Broiling is optional but adds a nice caramelized finish to the ribs.
- Cooking times may vary depending on slow cooker model and size of ribs.
- Leftover ribs can be reheated covered in a low oven or microwave.
Keywords: Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs, BBQ Ribs, Slow Cooker BBQ, Tender Ribs, Easy Ribs Recipe