Description
Crockpot barbecue ribs cook low and slow, finished with a glossy, sticky glaze that clings to every tender bite – no grill required.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2.5 lbs pork baby back ribs
- 1 rack pork spare ribs
Barbecue Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare a robust spice blend by thoroughly mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, creating an aromatic seasoning mixture.
- Peel off the thin silver skin from the back of the rib racks—this helps keep the meat tender and lets the flavors soak in better.
- Generously coat each rib rack with the prepared spice blend, massaging the seasonings deeply into the meat to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Whisk together barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a separate bowl, creating complex sauce mixture.
- Place seasoned ribs vertically along the sides of the crockpot, allowing them to stand upright and maximize cooking space for even heat distribution.
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the ribs, ensuring complete coverage and deep flavor penetration throughout the meat.
- Cover the crockpot and slow cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing the ribs to become incredibly tender and absorb the rich, complex flavors.
- When done, lift the ribs out carefully and set them on a serving platter. Let them rest for 5–10 minutes before cutting.
- Optional: For a caramelized finish, brush additional barbecue sauce and broil ribs in the oven at 425°F for 3-5 minutes, creating a slightly crispy exterior.
- Slice ribs between the bones and serve hot, allowing the succulent meat to showcase the perfect blend of spices and sauce.
Notes
- Choose thick, meaty ribs with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development during slow cooking.
- Trim excess fat but keep some for added moisture and depth, preventing dry meat and enhancing overall succulence.
- For gluten-free adaptation, select a certified gluten-free barbecue sauce and verify all ingredient labels to ensure complete dietary compatibility.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg