The BEST Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

“Tender crock pot bbq ribs! Sprinkled with a smoky rib rub, cooked in BBQ sauce and finished off under a broiler for sticky, caramelized finish.”

Watch me make these crock pot BBQ ribs from start to finish!

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I’m doing it. 

I’m finally testing out a house cleaner after my cousins and brother told me how amazing it was.

This is a huge leap for me because I come from a long line of DIY and Do-it-all women. 

I’ve always preferred to clean my own home, but after having to pull together a huge family Memorial Day party alone when my husband tore his meniscus, I’m open to all the help!

Surprisingly, a regular cleaner is really affordable when I compare it to all the other crazy stuff I spend money on monthly.  Like my monthly snack crates. I mean, why am I even still getting those? Smh.

They say that once you have a good house cleaner, it’s hard to go without one. So we shall see!

This has me thinking about ways to simplify my life even further.  The slow cooker always makes my dinner prep a bit easier, so I hold on to tried-and-true slow cooker recipes as if they were gold.

Hello Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

These slow-cooker BBQ ribs are one of those golden recipes. They are simple, sweet n smoky, sticky, tender,  fall-off-the-bone perfection.  Let’s make them!

How to make slow-cooker BBQ short ribs

INGREDIENTS (full recipe at bottom of post)

• yellow onion, thinly sliced
• Fresh herb sprigs (Rosemary or Thyme)
• Dry rub: smoked salt, garlic powder, ground black pepper, paprika, onion powder, celery seed
• beef short ribs (bone-in)
• BBQ sauce, divided (use your favorite)
• fresh parsley, optional garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Layer the onions and herbs on the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the dry rub seasoning and generously season both sides of the ribs.
3. Place the ribs in the slow cooker and brush on 3/4 cup of the BBQ sauce.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, or until the ribs are fork-tender.
5. When ready to serve, place the ribs on an aluminum foil-lined pan and brush with the remaining BBQ sauce.
6. Broil on low until sauce is sticky and caramelized (I like to brush on several layers). Keep an eye on it, broiling is very fast, and you don’t want to burn it.
7. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Tips for the BEST crock pot BBQ ribs

• Use a good-quality brand of beef ribs. They are more expensive, but they will give you a tender rib. Bone-in beef ribs are the way to go for maximum flavor. For this recipe, I’m using beef short ribs, but you can also use beef back or baby-back ribs.
• Use your favorite BBQ sauce- I like to mix several store-bought sauces if I don’t have any homemade sauce on hand. For this recipe, I use a mixture of Sweet Baby Rays (original) and Kraft Hickory Smoke. I just LOVE the taste of these two barbecue sauces combined.
• Cook slow and low– These ribs are super tender when cooked on high for 4-5 hours, but even more tender when cooked on low for 8 hours. This gives the spices and flavors more time to party together.
• Kick it up a notch! Add a dash of hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a splash of apple cider vinegar, or liquid smoke for a fresh, off-the-grill flavor. 

What to serve with slow cooker ribs

Serve these crock pot BBQ ribs with baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread!   

Or go with cookout side dishes like potato salad, corn on the cob, and baked beans!

These crock-pot ribs also pair well with mashed potatoes.

A quick and easy homemade BBW sauce recipe

Here’s a recipe for a quick and easy sweet and smoky BBQ sauce. You can adjust the sweetness of this recipe to your liking.

• 1 cup ketchup 
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey could also use molasses
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup water

1. In a pot over medium heat, add all the sauce ingredients.
2. Stir and bring to a light simmer.
3. Reduce heat and simmer gently until sauce has thickened.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

How to store and reheat

Storage and Reheating

BBQ beef ribs are always better the next day, so if you manage to have any rib leftovers (we never do), here’s how to store them:

Place the cooled ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store them in the freezer using a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. 

To reheat, defrost in the fridge overnight and then warm in the oven at 300°F or in a microwave.

FAQS

1. How long do you cook crock pot ribs in the slow cooker? You can cook these ribs on low for 8 hours (recommended) or high for 4 hours. 
2.  Can I sear it before putting it in the crock pot? Yes, you sure can! Since I broil in the oven at the end, I skip this step.
3. Can I make these BBQ ribs in the oven? Yes, follow this recipe.
4. Do I need to add liquid to the crock pot? No, the onions, BBQ sauce, and juices from the meat will provide plenty of liquid needed to cook the ribs.

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