Ultra easy crock pot baby back ribs for tailgating, a Superbowl party or just a great easy dinner. Only 5-minute prep, an all day cook in the slow cooker, and a few minutes under the broiler, on a grill or in the oven will get you some great baby back ribs.
I love good ribs, but there are frequently timing issues. So this is for the working folks out there. Anybody can have great ribs ready in about 8 hours. Start with a rack of baby backs. Peel the membrane, cut in half and apply a dry rub. Cook 8 hours on low in your crock pot. Apply sauce and spend a few minutes under the broiler, on a grill, or even in the oven. Now you are in hog heaven.
You could also precook ribs for the Superbowl party or tailgating. Cook, refrigerate and then reheat on a grill or oven coated with BBQ sauce.
My Rating
It is really hard to give a 5 to crock pot ribs, but it is well deserved. To me it is a lower 5 and by no means will they compete with smoker ribs but still very very nice ribs. For my wife, they are totally a 5.
Discussion of crock pot baby back ribs
Most recipes call for some liquid to be added at the beginning of cooking. A can of Coke, BBQ sauce, water or whatever. Then there is cut up onions or many other things. We should not parboil ribs or cook ribs in liquid. It is just not right. You want a “dry heat” like a grill or smoker. There is lots of fat/fluid released, so they are in no danger of drying out. I basically set up my slow cooker as a low and slow “oven.”
Just over 1/2 inch of fluid/fat after cooking
How you arrange the ribs in the crock pot is important. You want to keep most of the ribs out of the fat/liquid that will accumulate in the bottom of the crock pot. I was able to lean mine against the sides and touching the bottom in the middle. Arrange as you need for your pot and crumpled up foil can be used to elevate the ribs.
If you want to do two racks of ribs, place them in vertically and use some crumpled up foil to elevate. It may take an hour or two longer. The internal temperature should be 185 degrees plus when done.
You see me using my much loved Gates BBQ products which I get by the case shipped from Kansas City. You can use the products you like. Here is a suggested rub if you don’t have one. Enough for 2 slabs. Cut in half to have less left over if you want, but I save it for next time.
- 8 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon each of black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
Other Crock Pot BBQ Recipes
Easiest Crock Pot Shredded Pork Tenderloin
Crock Pot Pulled Pork from Butt the Right Way
Only three things are needed.
Peel the membrane off the back of the ribs. I find this goes a lot better if I use a butter knife and start at the narrow end. Loosen that end and slowly pull it off as you work to be sure you get the whole width. Also, trim any chunks of fat on the ends.
Use a commercial rub or make your own. Apply a good coat.
Cut in half and place in large crock pot. Position the ribs in the crock pot to keep as much of the ribs elevated as possible. Use a rolled up a piece of foil if you want.
Cook on low for 8 hours. Do not remove the top to check the ribs. You are creating a mini oven. Don’t let the heat out.
Remove the ribs. At this point, you could refrigerate for later use. Or place on pan and brush with BBQ sauce of your choice.
Place under a broiler until you get the desired browning. About 5 minutes for me with a high broiler and the rack at 7 inches.
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Crock Pot Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs - 3-4 pounds
- 1/4 cup dry rub - just a nice coating
- 4 tablespoons BBQ
Instructions
- Peel the membrane off the back of the ribs. I find this goes a lot better if I use a butter knive and start at the narrow end. Loosen that end and slowly pull it off as you work to be sure you get the whole width. Also trim any chunks of fat on the ends.
- Use a commercial rub or make your own.
- Cut in half and place in large crock pot. Position the ribs in the crock pot to keep as much of the ribs elevated as possible. Use a rolled up a piece of foil if you want.
- Cook on low for 8 hours. Do not remove top to check the ribs. You are creating a mini oven. Don't let the heat out.
- Remove the ribs. At this point, you could refrigerate for later use. Or place on pan and brush with BBQ sauce of your choice.
- Place under a broiler until you get the desired browning. About 5 minutes for me with a high broiler and the rack at 7 inches. You could also use a grill or oven.
Recipe Notes
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon each of black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.
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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.
Looking for Mr. Squirrel
Gail
July 20, 2019 at 12:54 pmJust love these, no more parboiling ribs for me ever again! I used this rub and my favorite bbq sauce and they were fantastic. I do toss them on the grill for that final stage with the bbq sauce, but that’s just because its summer here in Michigan, will try the broiler when its snowing lol. I am making them again today, they have only been cooking 2 hours and smell fantastic already.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
July 20, 2019 at 1:42 pmHi Gail,
Welcome to the blog.
Definitely hot in West Michigan. I do love air conditioning.
This is an odd little recipe that just works and is logical if you think about it. I usually do the grill to finish even in the winter but I have a natural gas grill 2 feet from the kitchen door on the deck. The broiler is fine.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
MLB
March 27, 2019 at 10:13 amI was looking for an easy recipe to cook ribs in the slow cooker and did I ever find it with this one! Easy and the ribs turned out falling off the bone tender and delicious. I really like that you do not cook the ribs with bbq sauce. I tend to like my ribs w/o sauce or very little. Will be using this recipe from now on.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
March 29, 2019 at 10:33 pmHi MLB,
Welcome to the blog.
Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Thanks for the note and rating.
Dan
Janie
September 9, 2018 at 12:08 pmHi, I’m making this recipe right now. I like that the ribs aren’t boiling in liquid. Can’t wait to see how they turn out. Love your dog pictures.
Melissa Lyman
June 30, 2018 at 6:40 pmI started using recipe a few months ago and I not allowed to prepare ribs in any other manner, per the hubby. Not only easy and tasty but the crock pot doesn’t heat the house up in the summer. I give it 5 stars.
CRM
October 17, 2017 at 4:53 amFollowed directions exactly yet baby back pork ribs came out overcooked and dry after 8 hours on low in a calibrated All Clad slow cooker. Will try it again for less hours next time.
DrDan
October 17, 2017 at 11:48 pmHi CRM,
I cooked in an All Clad also but perhaps some difference. Cut it back an hour and see.
Dan
Melissa
September 27, 2017 at 8:14 amLove this recipe, it has become a staple in our kitchen. Would give it 5 stars….if I only figure out where?
PS, like all of your recipes, this is an easy recipe with simple ingredients that taste amazing.
DrDan
September 27, 2017 at 9:27 amHi Melisssa,
Thanks for the note. Glad you like it. I try to be easy and simple.
Star ratings are in the “recipe card” area. Just click on the star you want.
Dan
Heather
July 1, 2017 at 9:38 amMy hubs isn’t a huge rib fan like I am, it we both LOVE this recipe! Perfect ribs every time!
DrDan
July 1, 2017 at 9:51 amHi Heather,
Thanks for the note. Sometimes a recipe just is surprising. This is one of those.
Dan
Leslie
January 31, 2017 at 8:39 pmI made these plus your cheesey broccoli chicken casserole this weekend, both 5 star recipes and my company loved them! Thank you so much
Eileen
January 28, 2017 at 5:23 pmReally good with excellent directions. Made half a recipe. So hungry we didn’t bother with the broiler part, just topped with barbecue sauce. Love the dogs!
DrDan
January 28, 2017 at 10:23 pmThanks for the note. I thought it was better than it has any right to be.
Dan
marms
January 23, 2017 at 7:26 pmI’ll try this as soon as I am able to get out and about. Snow, chest cold, other stuff. But I’v giving all my stars today to the dogs picture. What beauties. They lift me.
DrDan
January 23, 2017 at 7:34 pmHi Marms,
You won’t be disappointed if you like ribs. I was thinking today when finishing this post about the dog pictures. I chuckled because I think back to a nasty email I got about the dog pictures and what they were doing on a food blog. I told him they were blog mascots and they stay… I enjoy taking dog pictures and they need to go somewhere.
Dan