Ribs are one of my absolute favorite dishes to prepare, especially when I can use my trusty slow cooker. It’s incredibly easy to achieve tender, flavorful ribs that fall right off the bone. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the process of making delicious BBQ ribs with a smoky sauce that will impress everyone at your dinner table. Let’s get started!
Smoky BBQ Ribs in a Slow Cooker
Tender and flavorful smoky BBQ ribs cooked to perfection in a slow cooker, delivering fall-off-the-bone goodness with minimal effort.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 6 min | Total: 615 min
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back pork ribs (approximately 4 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for added heat)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce of choice
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- Liquid smoke (optional, for enhanced smoky flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the ribs by removing the membrane from the back of each rack for optimal tenderness.
- In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper if using.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs, ensuring full coverage.
- Place the ribs upright in the slow cooker, with the meaty side facing outward. If necessary, cut the racks into smaller sections to fit.
- In a bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, and a few drops of liquid smoke if desired. Pour this mixture over the ribs.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the ribs are tender and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.
- Optional: For a caramelized finish, transfer the cooked ribs to a baking sheet, brush with additional BBQ sauce, and broil in the oven for 3–5 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and slightly charred.
- Serve the ribs warm with your favorite sides and extra BBQ sauce if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Fat: 45 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Protein: 40 g
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First, I make sure to select the right type of ribs. You can choose between pork ribs (spare ribs or baby back ribs) or beef ribs. For this recipe, I prefer using pork baby back ribs due to their tenderness and flavor. Once you have your ribs, the next step is to prepare them.
Begin by removing the membrane on the back of the ribs. This helps the seasoning penetrate the meat better and results in a more flavorful dish. I find it easiest to slide a butter knife under the membrane at one end and then gently pull it away using a paper towel for better grip. After that, rinse the ribs under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Now it’s time to season. I create a simple dry rub that includes brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. You can adjust the quantities based on your taste preferences. I rub this mixture generously all over the ribs, allowing the flavors to seep into the meat. It’s a compliment to the smoky flavor that will come from the sauce.
Speaking of the sauce, I make a homemade smoky BBQ sauce that includes ketchup, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, honey, and black pepper. Combining these ingredients creates a rich, smoky flavor that perfectly complements the ribs. If I want to kick it up a notch, I’ll also add hot sauce or chili powder for a bit of heat.
Once the ribs are seasoned and the sauce is ready, I arrange the ribs in the slow cooker, standing them up against the walls if possible. This allows for an even cook throughout. I then pour half of the BBQ sauce over the ribs, ensuring they are coated well. The remaining sauce will be used for basting later.
I set the slow cooker to low for about 6-8 hours or high for around 3-4 hours. Low and slow is my favorite method, as it results in the most tender ribs. When the cooking time is up, I carefully remove the ribs, as they will be incredibly tender.
To finish the dish, I preheat my grill (or broiler, if it’s raining outside). I then baste the ribs with the additional BBQ sauce and place them on the grill for about 5-10 minutes, just to caramelize the sauce and add a bit of char. This final touch brings out the barbecue flavors beautifully.
Once done, I slice the ribs into portions and serve. They go perfectly with coleslaw and cornbread. Enjoy your delicious Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs with a Smoky Sauce!
