Crock Pot Ribs come out melt in your mouth tender and so full of flavor. They’re perfect for busy weeknights or easy weekend dinners with the slow cooker tenderizing in baby back ribs. A quick brush of bbq sauce and a flash grill (or broil) finishes these off beautifully!
Crock Pot BBQ ribs are always a hit and perfect served alongside our favorite Coleslaw Recipe, corn on the cob and Baked French Fries!
How To Prepare Crock Pot Baby Back Ribs
I’m pretty much known for my Instant Pot Ribs and my succulent Barbecue Ribs in the Oven so it’s only natural I’d share my fave crockpot rib recipe!
For all the methods, the process is similar, allow the ribs to cook low and slow so the meat becomes buttery and tender and finish up with sauce and a grill (or broil).
- Prep the ribs by removing the silver membrane from the back (photo below). You can just slip a knife under it and pull (a piece of paper towel can help you grip it if it’s slippery). If you’re having trouble finding the membrane in this step, your ribs may already have it removed. Once in a while you’ll buy ribs that have it already removed.
- Inspect the rack of ribs for bone pieces/shards as they can sometimes be present from the butcher cutting the ribs.
- Cut the racks into manageable pieces that will fit into your slow cooker. I usually do halves or thirds depending on the size.
What Kind of Ribs to Buy for Crock Pot Ribs. I use pork baby back ribs (or back ribs). They’re the most tender and flavorful, side ribs also work however they have smaller white bones towards the end that I’m not a fan of (and they may need a little bit of extra time).
How to Cook Ribs in a Crock Pot
- Combine rub mix and massage into prepared ribs.
- Place onion, garlic and ribs in the slow cooker with a touch of water (or broth). Close the lid and let the crock pot work its magic.
- Once tender, brush the ribs with sauce (or just olive oil, salt and pepper if you’d prefer) and broil (or grill) for 3 to 5 minutes to get a little bit of char.
- Gently remove from the pan, cut ribs apart and serve!
How Long to Cook Ribs in a Crock Pot
Crock Pot Pork Ribs (I use pork baby back ribs) are easy to make as long as you cook them low and slow. We prefer the meat on our ribs to be fall off the bone however, if you’d like a little but more ‘chew’ to your ribs, reduce the time a little bit.
- Slow Cooker Ribs On Low will need to cook for about 8 hours
- Slow Cooker Ribs On High will need to cook for about 4 hours
Remember not to lift the lid and peek, this can increase the cooking time substantially.
Perfect Rib Side Dishes
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole – fully loaded with bacon and cheese!
- Loaded Cauliflower Salad – low carb potato salad style side
- The BEST Mashed Potatoes – great under ribs!
- Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes – crispy side dish
- Homemade Garlic Bread – of course!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs about 3 to 4 pounds
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- ½ cup water
- 2 to 3 tablespoons rib rub or homemade rib rub in the notes
BBQ Rib Sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ½ cup barbecue sauce of choice
Instructions
- If making homemade rub, combine all rub ingredients according to the recipe below.
- Remove silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Rub front and back of the ribs with spice mixture.
- Place onion, sliced garlic, water and ribs in a slow cooker.
- Cook ribs on high 4 hours or low 8 hours or until fork tender.
- Preheat broiler. Combine ketchup, chili sauce and barbecue sauce.
- Brush ribs with sauce mixture and broil (or grill) 3-5 minutes or until charred.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Awesome recipe for ribs cooked inside specially living in a climate with hard & cold Winters. Cooked it on high and this was done in 2 hours. Followed the recipe exactly except not using Paprika as allergic to it. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Hi! Can I make these ahead of time put them in the fridge and finishing them in the broiler with the bbq sauce later? Thanks!
Yes,that works well with this recipe.
Today was my first time ever making ribs. They turned out pretty darn good! The flavor was great. I cooked for 4 hours on high and broiled in the oven for 5 mins at 500 degrees and they were just a little bit chewy in the center (I like mine falling off the bone). I think next time I will try cooking on low for 8 hrs and grilling them.
Glad you enjoyed them Lindsay!
Is there another replacement I can use for the chili sauce? I don’t have that on me right now so I’m just wondering what else would be a good substitution for that.
Hi Kieu, you could replace it with ketchup.
Would it be possible to add some veggies to this to make it a one pot meal? Maybe cauliflower/broccoli and carrots? I have just gotten my slow cooker and this will be my second time using it!
Ribs tend to be a fattier piece of meat so my concern would be that the veggies would become oily. If you’d like to add them, you could try wrapping them in foil and placing them on top of the ribs. I haven’t tried it, so if you do, let us know how it goes!
Oh my goodness … I am old and have arthritis in my hands and I could not get the membrane off. I got some but not very much, I am so worried what is going to happen when it’s time to get them out of the crockpot.
It’ll still be great! Some people don’t peel it, it’s personal preference. Enjoy the ribs!
Use a piece of paper towel to grab the membrane after lifting it a little with a sharp knife. Makes it 100 times easier.
I am already looking forward to my first bite
This has become my go to method for cooking ribs! I omit the brown sugar and apply a light coat of sugar free bbq sauce to keep it lowcarb and love to serve it with some loaded cauliflower. One of my absolute favorite meals. Thank you for sharing!
What BBQ rub should I use?
Hi Liz, we have a delicious rib rub in the recipe notes that we love to use. It is just below the main recipe.
Always enjoy your recipes, easy, simplified and delicious.
Thank you Harpreet!
My newly (04/19) husband and I loved the recipe. We ate them right out the pot. Lol, along with broccoli, yellow rice and red potatoes. No leftovers! I cooked them on high for 4 1/2 hrs. I used minced garlic and added sweet baby rays bbq sauce when the ribs were done.
Happy wife and full belly husband
Thank you
God Bless You!!
Congratulation Mironda, so happy to hear that you both loved them!
So you can put the ribs in the slow cooker on top of each other? I have a 6 qt. Slow cooker but they would never fit flat…or should I just stand them up around the cooker? MANY THANKS!
Yes, you can see in our pictures that we do just that Paula! We cut them to fit and they go on top of each other. Enjoy!
Can i cook them frozen?
Hi Amanda, if using frozen ribs I would recommend defrosting them in the refrigerator first.
Not sure why you would want to transfer from the crockpot to a broiler, although I am sure they turn out delicious! I have made almost this exact recipe just in the crockpot and they turn out so good and tender after about 6 to 7 hrs on low. I apply my BBQ sauce a few hours onto the ribs while in the crockpot.
One thing is that I had to substitute garlic powder for the garlic cloves because I am out at the moment. I didn’t have time to run to the store either because I had to put these in the slow cooker asap to be ready in time for dinner.
Sounds delicious Bruce :) We find broiling at the end gives the ribs that perfectly sticky slightly charred flavored we love!
How much broth or water should I use?
You will need ½ cup broth or water.
Can I use chicken broth or stock?
You can use which ever you prefer Janine :)
Would this recipe work without the onion and garlic? I bought a dry rub from a specialty spice store specifically to make ribs with and plan to use this method. Did not remember to pick up the onion or garlic at the store though.
Sure it will! They add add extra flavor and a bit of moisture but there is plenty of fat in the ribs to keep it moist.
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I would love some input on crock pot recipes
Hi Brian, We have a whole section of crock pot recipes. Check it out for some great recipes, tips and tricks!
Thank you so much, I needed the help!!
I dont have baby backs or slab ribs will this work with bone loss and is the cooking time the same
This should work just fine if they are ribs. If you check them and they aren’t tender, they likely need more time. This won’t work well with lean pork.
We think your husband has great taste Natalie! We love ribs too!! Hope you both enjoy this recipe!
Thanks Matt! They are delicious, can’t wait to you to enjoy these!
I recently bought a slow cooker and am on the look out for tasty recipes to use it with! These ribs look and sound delicious! Can’t wait to try them!
This is a great recipe to try Jacqueline! It is delicious and is going to make your house smell mouth-watering!
These sound amazing in the crock pot!! All the flavors, YUM!
So many delicious flavors Jordin! They really are amazing!
We love ribs in our family but usually always make them on the grill. This recipe looks perfect for set it and forget it. This recipe is a keeper. Getting out the crockpot for this one :)
It is so nice to have a few recipes you can set and forget but still thoroughly enjoy! We hope your family loves this recipe Ali!