Crock Pot Ribs (Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs)

Crock Pot Ribs are an easy way to make the most delicious pork 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 fall-off-the-bone ribs in a crock pot, and serve them on game day, at BBQs, or any get-together that needs a delicious dish.

bbq ribs in a plate

What’s in Crockpot BBQ Ribs?

These Crock Pot BBQ ribs are a real winner. Moist, tender, fall-off-the-bone meat cooked in BBQ sauce. We love Oven Baked Ribs, but this recipe is just so much easier. 

  • Pork Ribs: You can use St. Louis-style spare ribs or baby back ribs. Either type works fine (and tastes great!).
  • Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce for his recipe. Any kind works, store-bought or homemade. Try this “homemade” barbecue sauce that we love.
  • Dry Rub: We use a mix of paprika, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to make the dry rub seasoning for these ribs.
  • Cider Vinegar: This is optional, but I recommend adding it in if you’re using a sweeter BBQ sauce. It adds a tanginess and just helps balance out the flavor.

Pro Tip: Try my pork dry rub recipe!

Baby Back Ribs vs Spare Ribs

This crock pot 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 spare ribs 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. 

crockpot ribs step by step process shots
Why make ribs in a crock pot?

This method is a super easy way to slow cook ribs. Prep time is short, and the rest of the cooking time is totally hands-off. You can set it and forget it most of the day.

Can I use boneless pork ribs for this recipe?

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!

How do you prep ribs before cooking in a slow cooker?

To prep your ribs, remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Place a knife under the membrane, lift, and pull. I’ve linked to an instructional video in the recipe card. You can also buy ribs that have already had this removed. You’ll also want to 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 them 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. 

Why do you need to remove the silverskin from the ribs?

The silver skin/membrane on the back of the ribs will make them super tough and rubbery when cooked. It also acts as a shield and will prevent seasonings from fully penetrating the meat (and we want them to be well-seasoned!). So you absolutely want to remove it.

Do you sauce both sides of the ribs?

Yes. Before cooking, brush BBQ sauce onto both sides of the ribs.

Can ribs be overcooked in a slow cooker?

Yes, it is possible to overcook ribs, which would turn the meat into mush. Cooking them on the low setting is ideal to prevent this from happening. Just check on them regularly towards the end for doneness.

Can I cook frozen ribs in a crock pot?

No, do not add frozen ribs directly into the slow cooker. They won’t cook fast enough in relation to the thawing, and it could cause issues with food safety. If you are going to use frozen ribs, fully defrost them in the fridge before cooking.

slow cooker bbq ribs on a serving plate

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover crock pot ribs tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat wrapped in foil in a pan in a 250°F oven until the ribs reach an internal temperature of 130-140°F.

How to Freeze

Freeze crock pot ribs tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

No matter when you serve these, make sure you add in some Cheesy Texas Toast, BBQ Baked Beans, Creamy Homemade Coleslaw, Instant Pot Potato Salad, or a Perfect Baked Potato. You can’t go wrong with some cornbread either!

slow cooker ribs on a plate
crock pot ribs featured image
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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.
Course Appetizer/Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 1489kcal
Author Becky Hardin

Ingredients

  • 6 pounds St. Louis-style pork spareribs or baby back ribs (see note)
  • 3 tablespoons smoked paprika or regular paprika
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 24 ounces barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade (1 jar) – Blue's Hog original recommended
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (if the barbecue sauce is on the sweet side)

Instructions

  • Set the slow cooker to low and spray with nonstick cooking spray. (I always spray the underside of the lid to help with cleanup.)
  • 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.)
    6 pounds St. Louis-style pork spareribs
  • 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.
    3 tablespoons smoked paprika, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 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.
    24 ounces barbecue sauce
  • Pour the remaining barbecue sauce over the ribs. If using a sweet sauce, pour the cider vinegar over the ribs.
    ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 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.
  • To serve, slice the meat between the bones and serve with barbecue sauce.

Video

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.
  • You will need to cut the ribs a bit to make them fit in the slow cooker. It’s easy to just eyeball it as you work them into the cooker.
  • Make sure you remove the silver membrane before cooking!
  • When done cooking, simply slice between the bones and serve with extra BBQ sauce!
  • Pork ribs should reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F before consuming. However, we will be cooking them to a higher temperature to make sure they’re super tender. We want them closer to 195°F.
Storage:  Store crock pot ribs tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pound | Calories: 1489kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 72g | Fat: 107g | Saturated Fat: 34g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 39g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 363mg | Sodium: 2706mg | Potassium: 1473mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 2033IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 6mg

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