Go Back
–+ servings
Tender slow cooker ribs recipe with a caramelized barbecue glaze on a serving plate.

Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

Rebecca Blumer
Tender pork ribs are seasoned with a savory rub, pre-baked for rich color, then slow-cooked until juicy and finished with a sticky, caramelized barbecue sauce glaze.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 716 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Baking Sheet
  • tinfoil or parchment paper

Ingredients
 

  • 1 rack pork ribs ((about 2 lbs))
  • 32 ounces BBQ sauce
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 400 °F. Have a large baking sheet ready with foil or parchment paper so the ribs can go straight into the oven.
  • Season both sides of the pork ribs with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then rub in the garlic powder, onion powder, and light brown sugar. The surface should look evenly coated, with no large patches of bare meat.
  • Place the seasoned ribs on the lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, then turn them over and bake for 15 minutes more. The pork should sizzle lightly and develop early browning around the edges.
  • Curve the rack around the inside wall of the slow cooker with the meat facing outward, then coat it with barbecue sauce while reserving some for serving. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, until the meat is tender and has pulled back from the bone tips.
  • Serve the ribs warm with the reserved barbecue sauce spooned over the top. The pork should bend easily when lifted but still hold together for slicing.

Notes

Membrane removal: Peel off the thin, papery membrane on the back of the bones using a dry paper towel for a secure grip. This prevents a chewy texture and lets seasonings penetrate the pork.
Pot arrangement: Curve the rack around the slow cooker wall with the meat facing outward toward the ceramic heating surface for even cooking without sitting in excess diluted liquid.
Broiler finish: For a caramelized exterior, brush the cooked ribs with extra sauce and broil 6 inches from the heat element for 3 to 5 minutes until bubbling and shiny.
Reheating: Wrap leftover portions in foil with a spoonful of barbecue sauce and warm gently in the oven rather than microwaving to prevent rubbery meat.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.

Nutrition

Calories: 716kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 29gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 2460mgPotassium: 750mgFiber: 2gSugar: 76gVitamin A: 320IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 3mg
Keyword barbecue pork ribs, crock pot ribs, slow cooker ribs recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!