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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Pork Rib Recipes

Crock Pot Baby Back Ribs (Easy, Tender & Juicy Every Time)

Updated: Jun 27, 2025 ยท Published: Jul 12, 2024 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 27 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Crock pot baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender with just 10 minutes of prep. No boiling, soda, or fancy tricksโ€”just a dry rub, your favorite BBQ sauce, and low-and-slow heat.

This method works every time and is perfect for small households. Youโ€™ll get juicy, flavorful ribs with no grill, no oven, and no stress.

ribs with fries on plate,
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿ˜ŠWhy You'll Love This Recipe
  • ๐Ÿ– Ingredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณQuick Overview: Baby Back Ribs in a Crock Pot
  • โฒ๏ธHow long to cook baby back ribs in a crock pot?
  • ๐Ÿ– What Kind of Ribs Should I Use?
  • โœ”๏ธ Extra Tips for the Best Results
  • ๐Ÿฅฃ What Dry Rub to Use
  • ๐Ÿ–More Rib Recipes
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Ribs
  • โ„๏ธ Storage and Reheating
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

quote mark
Featured Comment by Marcia :
โญโญโญโญโญ
"This recipe was so easy!! My husband raved about the results & we both grew up in Texas, so we know good ribs. I used a dry rub & followed your instructions. Outstanding!!"

๐Ÿ˜ŠWhy You'll Love This Recipe

  • Just 10 minutes of prep. No need to boil, marinate, or babysitโ€”just season and slow cook.
  • Juicy, tender ribs every time. Low and slow makes fall-apart magic.
  • Works with any ribs. Baby back, spare ribs, or St. Louis all work here.
  • No grill or smoker needed. The crock pot does all the heavy lifting.
  • Perfect for smaller households. One rack fits easily in a standard crock pot, but you can cook two if needed.

๐Ÿ– Ingredients

Baby back ribs with dry rub ingredients labeled.
  • Baby back ribs โ€“ One rack (about 3โ€“4 pounds). St. Louis or spare ribs work tooโ€”just trim to fit.
  • Dry rub โ€“ Use your favorite pork rub, or try the simple version listed in the recipe card.
  • BBQ sauce โ€“ For brushing after cooking and before broiling.
  • Liquid smoke (optional) โ€“ A few teaspoons adds smoky flavor. Wrightโ€™s brand is recommended.

โœ…ย Pro Tip:ย Stick toย Wrightโ€™s brandโ€”some cheaper versions taste artificial. The ingredient list should only sayย smoke and water.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณQuick Overview: Baby Back Ribs in a Crock Pot

1. Remove membrane and trim

Peel the membrane off the back of the ribs and cut the slab in half.

removing membrane from baby back ribs.

โœ… Pro Tip: If using St. Louis or spare ribs, trim off the thick cartilage to help them fit better in the pot.

2. Apply the rub

Mix a dry rub if needed, then apply a light coat of liquid smoke (optional) followed by the rub.

seasoning half slab of baby back ribs.

โœ… Pro Tip: Removing the membrane helps the rub soak in and keeps the ribs tenderโ€”not chewy.

3. Arrange in a large slow cooker

Stand the rib sections upright along the side of a large crock pot, meat-side out.

arrange ribs in the crock pot.

4. Cook low and slow

Cook onย low for 7โ€“8 hoursย orย high for 3โ€“4 hours, until the meat is fork-tender and the internal temperature isย at least 190ยฐFโ€”butย 200ยฐ to 205ยฐF is preferredย for fall-off-the-bone tenderness.

cooked ribs in crock pot with drainage.

โœ… Pro Tip: Donโ€™t peek! Every time you lift the lid, you lose heat and extend the cook time.

5. Finish under the broiler (or grill)

Transfer the ribs to a baking sheet, brush with BBQ sauce, and broil or grill for about 5 minutes to get that sticky, caramelized finish.

finished ribs on baking sheet.

๐Ÿ‘‡For full step-by-step instructions, scroll to the printable recipe cardโ€”or keep reading for tips, flavor ideas, and serving suggestions.

โฒ๏ธHow long to cook baby back ribs in a crock pot?

Cook on low for 7โ€“8 hours or high for 3โ€“4 hours, depending on your slow cooker. Some cook faster if they run hot.

The ribs are done when theyโ€™re fork-tender and reach an internal temperature of at least 190ยฐFโ€”but for best results, aim for 200ยฐ to 205ยฐF. Thatโ€™s where the collagen breaks down and you get ribs that practically fall apart.

โœ… Pro Tip: Go by tenderness and temperature, not just time on the clock.

Cooking from frozen? Add 1 to 2 hours, and check that the thickest part hits 200ยฐF before serving.

If your slow cooker canโ€™t get past 185ยฐF, transfer the ribs to a 300ยฐ oven until they reach the target temperature.

๐Ÿ– What Kind of Ribs Should I Use?

Baby back ribs are the default here, but spare ribs and St. Louisโ€“style ribs also work great.

  • Baby back ribs โ€“ Smaller, curved, and more tender. Cut from near the spine.
  • Spare ribs โ€“ Larger, flatter, and meatier, with more fat and connective tissue.
  • St. Louis ribs โ€“ Spare ribs trimmed into a neat rectangle with less waste and bone.

All three work in this recipeโ€”just trim to fit your slow cooker and expect slightly longer cook times for larger cuts.

graphic with location of baby back ribs- licensed from Fotolia May 16,2017. Copyright foxysgraphic - Fotolia. Modified per allow by licensed.
Visual guide to baby back, spare, and St. Louis ribs. (Licensed from Fotolia, May 16, 2017. Copyright foxysgraphic - Fotolia. Modified per allow by licensed.)

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โœ”๏ธ Extra Tips for the Best Results

  • Tight fit? Trim spare or St. Louis ribs for a better fitโ€”remove excess cartilage and fat.
  • Cooking two racks? Stand them upright and stagger the pieces. It may take 1โ€“2 hours longer, especially if your pot is full.
  • Foil trick for better texture: If your slow cooker is wide enough, use crumpled foil under the ribs to elevate them out of the juices.

๐Ÿฅฃ What Dry Rub to Use

If you have a pork rub you loveโ€”use it. Otherwise, my simple BBQ Dry Rub for Ribs is in the recipe card and works great on baby back, St. Louis, or spare ribs.

Looking for something with a little more kick? Try my Memphis Dry Rubโ€”perfect if you like a bolder, spicier flavor.

โœ… Pro Tip: A light, even coat is all you need. Donโ€™t pack it onโ€”too much rub can mask the pork flavor.

๐Ÿ–More Rib Recipes

Want to try another method? Check out these easy baby back rib recipes:

  • Grilled Baby Back Ribs โ€“ Low and slow on a gas grill with wood smoke flavor
  • Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs โ€“ Tender and juicy with a crispy finish under the broiler

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Ribs

These ribs work with any BBQ sauce you likeโ€”store-bought or homemade. I usually go with Memphis Barbecue Sauce, but Sweet Baby Rayโ€™s is a solid shortcut.

Need a side? Here are some BBQ-friendly favorites:

  • Baked Beans
  • Crispy Baked French Fries
  • Potato Salad
  • Macaroni Salad
  • Cole Slaw
  • Microwave Corn on the Cob
  • Cornbread or Cornbread Biscuits
  • Baked Mac and Cheese

โ„๏ธ Storage and Reheating

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 4 months.

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. Add a little sauce, wrap tightly in foil, and warm in a 300ยฐ oven for about 30 minutesโ€”until heated through.

โœ… Pro Tip: Wrapping the ribs in foil helps keep them moist while reheating.

โ“FAQs

Should I add liquid smoke to the ribs?

Itโ€™s optional, but adds nice smoky flavor without a grill. Just rub a little on the ribs before adding your dry rub. If you use it, choose a brand that only lists smoke and waterโ€”nothing else.

Do I need to add liquid or other ingredients to the crock pot?

Nope. These ribs cook in their own fat and juicesโ€”no Coke, apple juice, onions, or broth needed. Youโ€™re aiming for a dry heat, like a smoker or grill. Think of your crock pot as a mini low-and-slow oven.

Can ribs overcook in a crock pot?

Yes, but itโ€™s not likely. Most slow cookers wonโ€™t push the temperature high enough to ruin the ribs.

However, if theyโ€™re cooked too longโ€”evenย withinย the recommended rangeโ€”the texture can still start to break down. For best results, go byย tenderness and temperature, not just time.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

ribs with fries on plate,

Crock Pot Baby Back Ribs (Tender, Juicy & Easy)

5 from 4 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Make fall-apart tender baby back ribs in your crock potโ€”no boiling, no grill, just low-and-slow magic with a simple dry rub and your favorite BBQ sauce.
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :4 servings
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Video Slideshow

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 1 rack baby back ribs - 3-4 pounds
  • ยผ cup dry rub - just a nice coating
  • 4 tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • liquid smoke - optional
Dry Rub Recipe If Neededโ€”will make enough for 2 slabs of ribs
  • 8 tablespoons Brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

Remove the membrane and trim

  • Peel the membrane off the back of the ribs. Trim any chunks of fat on the ends and look for bone chips on the end of the ribs. Cut the slab of ribs in half.
    removing membrane from baby back ribs.

Apply the rub

  • If you want to use liquid smoke, rub a small amount on the ribs before the dry rub. Use a commercial rub or make your own. Apply a light coat of the rub.
    seasoning half slab of baby back ribs.

Arrange in a large slow cooker and cook

  • Position the ribs in the crock pot to keep as much of the ribs elevated as possible. Use a rolled-up piece of foil if you want.
    arrange ribs in the crock pot.
  • Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Do not remove the top needlessly to check the ribs as they cook. You are creating a mini oven. So, don't let the heat out. The ribs need to be "fork-tender" and reach a minimum of 190ยฐ, but 200ยฐ to 205ยฐ is better.
    cooked ribs in crock pot with drainage.

Finish under the broiler (or grill)

  • Remove the ribs. At this point, you could refrigerate it for later use. Or place it on the pan and brush with BBQ sauce.
    brush with BBQ sauce before browning under the broiler.
  • Place under a broiler or on a grill until you get the desired browning โ€” about 5 minutes.
    finished ribs on baking sheet.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

  1. Be sure to remove the inner membrane.
  2. 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high are generally correct, but cook to the endpoints discussed in the instructions.
  3. If you are cooking more than one slab, place them in the pot vertically. You may need to crumple up some foil to elevate the ribs. Also, they may require an hour or two longer.
  4. If you want a taste of smoke, rub on a few teaspoons of liquid smoke just before applying the rub.
  5. The absolute minimum internal temperature needs to be 190ยฐ. But 200ยฐ to 205ยฐ is better.
  6. Most people will want to brown them some. You can use the broiler or a grill.
  7. Good refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for 4 months.
There are many more tips in the recipe post.
ย 

Your Own Private Notes

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To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 809 kcal (40%)Carbohydrates : 40 g (13%)Protein : 56 g (112%)Fat : 48 g (74%)Saturated Fat : 17 g (85%)Cholesterol : 196 mg (65%)Sodium : 970 mg (40%)Potassium : 982 mg (28%)Fiber : 3 g (12%)Sugar : 24 g (27%)Vitamin A : 680 IU (14%)Vitamin C : 2 mg (2%)Calcium : 285 mg (29%)Iron : 9 mg (50%)

Editor's Note: Originally Published January 23, 2017. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

Molly and Lilly sitting nicely.

More Pork Rib Recipes

  • Grilled boneless ribs on a blue plate.
    Grilled Boneless Pork Ribs
  • baked baby back ribs on gray plate
    Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs
  • grilled Baby Back Ribs on black cutting board
    How to Cook Baby Back Ribs on a Gas Grill (Tender, Juicy & Foolproof)
  • 30-Minute Boneless Pork Ribs (Oven-Baked Country-Style with BBQ Flavor)

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  1. Roberta Rossi Williams says

    June 11, 2023 at 4:59 am

    What if I only want to cook 1/2 rack? How long in the crockpot?

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      June 11, 2023 at 8:15 am

      Hi Roberta,

      Welcome to the blog.

      Cooking time for a half rack will be about the same with the same endpoints.

      Dan

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