Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

This slow cooker barbecue ribs recipe is cooked low and slow for 8 hours with only 10 minutes of prep time. They are fall-off-the-bone tender and super easy to make any day of the week!

If you love barbecue, then you’ve got to try my Bourbon Barbecue Sauce and my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches!

Why You Should Be Making Barbecue in the Slow Cooker

These pork ribs are super easy to make, tender and loaded with flavor. This is an awesome way to prepare ribs without turning the oven on. The ribs cook low and slow in the crockpot for 8 hours!

The ribs start off with an easy dry rub: Brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and chipotle chili pepper. The chipotle chili pepper adds a nice smokiness and hint of spice. You can find it at the grocery store with the rest of the spices.

Once the ribs are rubbed down with the spice rub they are placed in the slow cooker with barbecue sauce. Use your favorite barbecue sauce or my Bourbon Barbecue Sauce! I slather the pork ribs with the barbecue sauce. Its the perfect combiantion of sweet, tangy with a hint of spice.

Can You Really Make Delicious Barbecue Ribs in the Crock Pot?

The short answer is … yes! The long answer is that they will certainly be delicious, but you also can’t expect them to taste like the ribs you would smoke on a grill.

With this crock pot version, you won’t necessarily get the charted skin or ends like you would on a grill or smoker, but you will achieve fall-off-the-bone tender pork. In fact, I daresay this slow cooker version is more tender because it’s cooking inside of a sealed, controlled environment that locks in moisture.

If you want to get that charred flavor, then consider searing them in a cast iron skillet before cooking them in your crock pot. But honestly, it’s easier (and just as delicious) to let your crock pot do all of the work!

Key Ingredients

• 3 pounds baby back pork ribs
• 1 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chili pepper
• Bourbon Barbecue Sauce (or your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce)

How To Make These Ribs

• Rinse the ribs and pat try with paper towels.
• Add brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and chipotle chili pepper to a small bowl and stir to combine.
• Sprinkle the dry rub onto both sides of the ribs.
• Spray the slow cooker with some nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the ribs in the slow cooker and pour your barbecue sauce on top.
• Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours or until the meat is falling off the bone

Serving Suggestions

• Baked Parmesan Potato Wedges
• Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
• The Best Cornbread
• The BEST Baked Beans
• Macaroni Salad

More Barbecue Recipes To Try

• Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chinese Barbecue Pork
• Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches
• Honey Barbecue Chicken Bites
• Bourbon Barbecue Sauce