Slow Cooker Ribs

This recipe first appeared on Savory Experiments where I am a contributor.

Slow Cooker Ribs are melt-in-your-mouth-amazing. With minimal effort and just a few ingredients, you’ll have perfectly fall off the bone ribs.

If you’re as big of a fan of slow cooker recipes as I am, you’ll want to try this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip and these Crispy Crockpot Carnitas.

Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

With everything going on in the world right now, I like most, need a vacation. Specifically, a vacation from cooking.

Since a vacation is unlikely to happen in the near future, I have to get creative with ways to give myself a break…and honestly, what better way to do that than letting your dinner cook itself?!

This easy barbecue ribs recipe is the perfect set-it and forget-it until dinner time recipe.

If you are looking for tender fall apart ribs, smothered in BBQ sauce, with the perfect sticky glaze then this is going to be a great recipe for you!

Ingredients For Slower Cooker Ribs

• Baby back ribs
• Paprika
• Brown sugar
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Salt and pepper
• BBQ sauce
• Apricot preserves

*a full list of ingredients and measurements for this recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

How To Cook Ribs in the Slow Cooker

1. Prepare the ribs. Remove membrane from ribs and discard. Refer to the “how-to” section in this post for tips on removing the membrane.

2. Season the ribs. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Generously season the ribs and rub the seasoning in using your fingers. Place the ribs in the slow cooker.

3. Cook the ribs. In another small bowl, combine the BBQ sauce with the peach preserves and cover the ribs with half the sauce.

Cook the ribs on low for 7 hours or high for 3 hours. For those perfect “fall off the bone” ribs, cook on low for 9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

4. Broil the ribs. When the ribs are finished, preheat the oven broiler on high. Carefully transfer the ribs from the slow cooker to a tin foil-lined baking sheet.

Pour half the juices from the slow cooker into the bowl with the remaining sauce, mix, and baste the ribs with half the sauce.

Place the baking sheet on the top rack and broil for 5-10 minutes, or until they begin to char around the edges. Serve with the remaining sauce.

Pro-Tip: If you don’t have apricot preserves, you can sub with peach and they will be just as tasty!

How To Remove The Rib Membrane

Removing the membrane of ribs is an essential step to rib making, but especially if you are looking for that perfect fall off the bone, can’t stop eating them ribs!

When you leave the membrane on, it keeps the seasonings and smoke from penetrating the meat.

You may be able to buy a rack of ribs with the membrane already removed, but you probably won’t know this if they are packaged, until you open the packaging.

• Start on one end of the rack of ribs, slide a knife under the membrane and over a bone.
• Lift and/or loosen the membrane until it tears.
• Grab the edge of the membrane and pull it off. It helps to hold the membrane with a paper towel.

The membrane may come off in one whole piece or you may need to remove and pull it off in smaller pieces.

Questions You May Have While Cooking

What type of meat is rib meat?

Ribs are usually pork ribs. You may be able to find beef ribs. I prefer pork ribs because I find them to be more flavorful and tender.

Should I sear ribs before slow cooking?

It’s not essential, but browning the ribs before slow cooking helps to seal in the flavor from the seasoning and caramelizes the surface.

Does changing the cook times affect the recipe?

If you are in a time crunch that does not allow you to cook the recipe for as long as required, the slow cooker can be turned up to the high setting and cooked at a reduced time.

However, it’s best to cook less tender cuts of meat on low for a long period of time. This gives you that tender fall off the bone dinner you are looking for!

If you’re short on time, increasing the temperature will work to shorten the cook time, but I definitely prefer the flavor and texture of ribs that are cooked at a low temperature for a longer period of time.

Is Slow Cooking Healthy?

Yes! When you are cooking “slow and low” in a sealed chamber, it keeps in the moisture and the nutrients that can be removed when cooking at high temperatures.

Can you overcook slow cooked ribs?

Just like any other ingredient, ribs can definitely be overcooked, even in the slow cooker. If you cook them too long, they will dry out and get tough.

It’s always best to follow the recipe exactly the first time you make it, and then make tweaks as necessary the next time around.

More slow cooker recipes you might like

• Carnitas Tater Tot Nachos
• Chili Lime Pulled Chicken
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Pulled Pork Tacos

Dinner recipes to try

• Easy Blackened Shrimp
• Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowl
• Blackened Salmon Rice Bowls
• Jalapeño Lime Air Fryer Steak
• Broiled Steak

If you want to try making your own BBQ sauce, I highly recommend trying my Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe!

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