Crockpot Ribs are an easy way to make the most delicious ribs for any occasion. This slow cooker ribs recipe is so simple! You can cook these crock pot BBQ ribs stress-free, and they’ll come out super tender and flavorful. Find out how to cook ribs in a crock pot, and serve them on game day, at BBQs, or any get together that needs a delicious dish.
Crock Pot Ribs – Slow Cooker Ribs
This easy crock pot ribs recipe will be your new favorite way to make BBQ ribs. There’s nothing easier (or tastier) than slow cooker ribs!
BBQ Ribs are always a favorite for any occasion. Weeknight dinners, summer time barbecues, holidays and get togethers, and especially game day! There’s never a bad time to eat ribs. This easy crock pot ribs recipe is the best way to make them because it’s so simple and hassle free. Slow cooking the meat into the juiciest most delicious flavor!
These slow cooker BBQ ribs are a real winner. Moist, tender, fall off the bone meat cooked in BBQ sauce…Everyone will devour these! I love serving ribs on game day, and cooking ribs in a crock pot is the easiest way to do that. You can just let them cook while the game is on, and serve them with plenty of BBQ sauce! We love Oven Baked Ribs, but these Crock Pot Ribs take the cake!
No matter when you serve them, make sure you add in some Cheesy Texas Toast, BBQ Baked Beans, or your favorite BBQ sides.
This easy crock pot ribs recipe is a lifesaver. Make delicious slow cooker BBQ ribs for game day, BBQs, or any occasion!
Easy Crock Pot BBQ Ribs
Slow cooker ribs are the easiest way to make delicious BBQ ribs! Just place them in the crock pot, add your BBQ sauce, and let them cook. That’s all there is to it!
I love these for game day. In addition to all of the appetizers, you need something more substantial too. Whether it’s burgers, tacos, or something else, it’s nice to have a sort of “main dish” to make sure everyone can fill up while watching the game, drinking beer, and eating snacks. So crock pot BBQ ribs are a front runner for game day, especially Super Bowl Sunday!
How to Prep Ribs for Cooking in the Crockpot
- You need to remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. I’ve linked to an instructional video in the recipe card. Place a knife under the membrane, lift, and pull. It’s also possible to buy ribs that have already had this removed.
- Make sure the racks will fit in your slow cooker. I like to keep them as big as possible, but you’ll still have to cut into a few pieces. See the recipe card for details on how to place them in the slow cooker. You can eyeball it to make sure you cut to the right size.
How to Cook Ribs in a Crockpot (Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs)
Cooking ribs in a crock pot seems too good to be true! Who knew you could make the most amazing BBQ ribs in a slow cooker? This crockpot ribs recipe is just so easy. Basically, you just need to season the ribs, set them in the crock pot, and let them cook! You can use spare ribs or baby back ribs for this slow cooker BBQ ribs recipe.
How to cook ribs in a crock pot:
- Whisk together paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to make the dry rub mix.
- Rub the dry rub mix over the ribs, and then brush them with your preferred BBQ sauce.
- Place the ribs upright in the slow cooker, then pour the rest of the BBQ sauce over them. (If you’re using a sweeter BBQ sauce, add in the cider vinegar.)
- Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 4-5 hours (meat should be fork tender).
Simple as that! To serve the crock pot BBQ ribs, just slice the meat between the bones and serve with extra BBQ sauce. So juicy, so tender, so delicious!
If you prefer to grill, we’ve got an awesome St. Louis Grilled Ribs recipe for you!
How long to cook ribs in a crock pot?
With the slow cooker set to low, give the slow cooker ribs about 5-6 hours to fully cook. They will come out super juicy and tender, ready to eat! You can also cook on high for 3-4 hours!
Crock Pot Baby Back Ribs vs Spare Ribs
This easy crock pot ribs recipe works with both baby back ribs and spare ribs, so the choice is up to you.
Baby back ribs are smaller than spare ribs. They are shorter, and will generally weigh less and feed fewer people, but they are super tender and lean. Spare ribs are going to be meatier, with more fat, making them super flavorful when cooked. A rack of spareribs will usually feed 3-4 people. Because of the size difference, expect the spareribs to take a bit longer to cook than baby back ribs.
Again, you can use either type of pork ribs for this slow cooker ribs recipe. Both will turn out amazing, it’s really up to your preferences.
Will this recipe work with boneless ribs?
Yes! You can totally use boneless ribs. Just check for tenderness before serving, they might need a bit more time in the crockpot. Sometimes boneless ribs are just easier, and that’s totally fine!
These slow cooker BBQ ribs are just so easy, so tender, and so flavorful. A real favorite for any occasion!
See the recipe card below for details on how to make Crock Pot Ribs. Enjoy!
If you like this crock pot ribs recipes, try these other slow cooker recipes:
- Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos
- Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Sandwiches
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes
- Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe
Learn How to Cook Ribs in every style with this guide!
Easy Crock Pot Ribs Recipe
Crock Pot Ribs are an easy way to make the most delicious ribs for any occasion. This slow cooker ribs recipe is so simple! You can cook these crock pot BBQ ribs stress-free, and they’ll come out super tender and flavorful.
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika or paprika
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 pounds St. Louis-style pork spareribs or Baby Back ribs (see note)
- 1 24 ounce jar Barbecue Sauce (Blue’s Hog original is superb)
- ¼ cup cider vinegar (if the barbecue sauce is on the sweet side)
- Set the slow cooker to LOW and spray with nonstick cooking spray. (I always spray the underside of the lid to help with cleanup.)
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Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Here's a video with instructions. (You might have bought ribs with the membrane removed, and if so, skip this step.)
- In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Rub the dry-rub mix evenly over the ribs.
- Brush both sides of the rib with barbecue sauce and set the ribs in the slow cooker standing upright with the meaty side against the inside wall, of the slow cooker.
- Pour the remaining barbecue sauce over the ribs. If using a sweet sauce, pour the cider vinegar over the ribs.
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Cover and cook on LOW 5-6 hours or until the meat is fork-tender.
- Serve with additional store-bought barbecue sauce or strain the juices, from the pan, through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium saucepan.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer 15-20 minutes or until the mixture has reduced to 2 cups.
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To serve, slice the meat between the bones and serve with barbecue sauce.
- Enjoy!
Notes: There is a difference in weight with ribs. Baby Back ribs weigh about 1½ pound per rack and St. Louis-style spareribs weigh about 3 pounds per rack. (To confuse the matter even more, commercially packaged “baby back” ribs are sometimes mislabeled St. Louis-style spareribs.) To help you understand the difference, here is a terrific article explaining the difference.
Whichever ribs you choose, you can’t go wrong. Both are equally as delicious.
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