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Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

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  • #20266

Ribs are cooked with a dry rub then brushed with barbecue sauce. The crockpot makes them the most tender ribs you'll ever try!


serves/makes:
  
ready in:
  over 5 hrs
Rating: 5/5

32 reviews
9 comments

ingredients


Rub

3/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1 tablespoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar


4 pounds baby back ribs
1/4 cup barbecue sauce

directions

Combine all the rub ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Cut the ribs into serving pieces. Coat each section with the rub. Place the ribs standing upright in the crock pot.

Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours or until the ribs are tender.

Carefully remove the ribs from the crock pot and place on a serving platter. Brush with the barbecue sauce using a basting brush. Serve additional barbecue sauce on the side if desired.


crock pot notes

Crock pots/slow cookers all heat differently. There is no standard among manufacturers. Cooking times are suggested guidelines based on our testing. Please adjust cooking times and temps to work with your brand and model of slow cooker.


nutrition data

64 calories, 1 grams fat, 15 grams carbohydrates, 1 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in fat.
Show full nutritional data (including Weight Watcher's Points ®, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins, and diabetic exchanges)


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reviews & comments

  1. DukeOfOmnium REVIEW:

    I've made these several times. The ribs shed enough liquids during cooking that they turn out perfectly moist on their own; no additional liquids need to be added. The rub gives a perfect sweet-hot kick when they're done.

  2. Missamandasue REVIEW:

    These were excellent. I plan on making these again in the future and highly recommend them to everyone. I cooked on high for 3 hours and they were nice and tender. I did add a little BBQ sauce to the meat side when I put them in the crock pot and then added more when they were done.

  3. Amy REVIEW:

    Very yummy. Didn't use the white pepper or Cumin but I did you turmeric, 1tsp Also put a little orange juice mixed with barbecue sauce on the bottom.

  4. junko REVIEW:

    Back back ribs are the perfect summer dish. This rub, complete with an array of flavorful spices, is the perfect complement for a crockpot rib recipe that will leave your family and friends begging for more. The slow-cook method helps all of the spices meld together, creating a rich dish that's great for parties or, because of it's simplicity, a fulfilling meal at the end of a long work day.

  5. kc guest

    the meat was tender, but the flavor was ok. concerned about the lack of no liquid, added 1/4 c. beer. also did not have white pepper. just missed the smoky flavor that ribs should have. will try again, but with different seasonings.

  6. Reissem REVIEW:

    This was a fantastic recipe, if I could I would add a sixth star, definitely a keeper. I have done this recipe twice now and the only thing I can recommend is that you cut the rack of ribs into groups of 4 to 5 ribs then stack them with meat end up to form a tee pee in the center of the pot, this way they will support each other and not fall into the fat that collects in the bottom of the pot, also I suggest that you brush some BBQ sauce on the ribs before putting them in the crock pot to provide additional moisture.

  7. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    Super easy and works perfect every time! I really doubted this recipe but it actually turns the ribs slightly crispy outside and SUPER tender inside. I lightly brush them with BBQ sauce but only because we like BBQ sauce, not because it needs it.

  8. Vicki REVIEW:

    OMG... 5 stars to be exact.... delicious.... next time I will omit the cumin, it was too much.....wonderful recipe... tender, tender ribs...

  9. SCooper78 REVIEW:

    These were PERFECT!!!

  10. full belly REVIEW:

    Everyone is exactly right, these will be the best ribs you've ever had. Hands down. No competition. Forget your favorite bbq restaurants you don't need them with this recipe.

  11. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    All the reviews made me want to try this recipe and I'm glad I did. It's as excellent as everyone says!

  12. Tyler REVIEW:

    "The best ribs I've ever had in my life." - That's what my girlfriend told me after I cooked these for her. Holy cow, I will continue using this recipe. They were the best ribs I've ever had in my life too. The ribs were done after about 8 hours cooked on low, and then I covered them in BBQ sauce and put them in a 375 degree oven for about 15 minute. WOW!

  13. LoveToCook1965 REVIEW:

    This is the best recipe ever, fast, easy and delicious!!! I've even used regular pork ribs and they are just as good!! A must try!

  14. cville REVIEW:

    Made these today, just as everyone said, fall off the bones, juicy, tender. I did not even use any bbq sauce. I put them on slow cook, and they were ready in just under 7 hours. I put a couple of baking potates between the racks and that helped hold them up. Dinner is served... with some coleslaw made earlier!

  15. Tara

    Awesome and easy recipe for flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs! My husband was skeptical when I said I was making ribs in the crock pot, but he thought they were fantastic.

  16. darkhaven433 REVIEW:

    THE BEST IN DA WORLD!!!

  17. Guest Foodie

    I looked at all these comments and was so excited to try this recipe. I cooked them on low for 8 hours when I was at work. I came home to burnt dried out ribs. No liquid at all at the bottom of the pot. It was like chewing jerky. I wonder why I had a different experience?

    • Unfortunately, not all crock pots heat the same anymore. Some brands cook at far too high a heat and are notorious for drying foods out and overcooking things. Also, make sure that your crock pot lid fits snugly. The unit needs to build up steam inside and if the lid isn't fitting properly then the vital moisture will escape.

  18. Fred1998 REVIEW:

    Worked great in 3.5 hours on high. Rub was very good.

  19. guest REVIEW:

    All the reviews were right on!! These were so easy and awesome! I will definitely be making these again soon.

  20. Chita64 REVIEW:

    These ribs were simply the BEST! I don't know why I ever hesitated to cook them in my slow cooker! The cut I used was a 3-lb Pork Loin Baby Back Ribs. The recipe is super easy and they came out so tasty, fall off the bone GOOD! Try them with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce. My husband said that I could make these for dinner anytime that I wanted!

  21. Shera REVIEW:

    I'm new at crock pot cooking and worried that there wasn't a liquid involved and that I had to stack the ribs in the pot. As I watched through the top the ribs looked like they were turning to leather. SO WRONG, they were excellent and tender and juicy. Four of us ate 3 lbs and would have eaten more if I had cooked it! Great recipe, it's a keeper for impressing guests. Thanks so much.

  22. rickey REVIEW:

    These ribs were great. What I did is took them out of the crock pot about an hour early put them in a baking dish meat side up poured the drippings from the crock all over the top then smothered them in Sweet Babys Barbaque Sauce covered with foil and baked for about an hour at 200 degrees. Wow were they good. I know with the drippings it's a Heart Attack but if youre going to eat Ribs you might as well do it right

  23. Coolcooker12 REVIEW:

    Absolutely terrible! Terrible. Because I have no more delicious ribs left to eat and I do not know what to do lol. Love the receipe it was awesome. Ribs were fantastic and flavorful thanks for the great receipe.

  24. Red

    how should the ribs be placed in the crockpot; I'm a little confused about "upright" term? thanks, Donna

  25. sandy REVIEW:

    So simple and works the whole family makes times for dinner.

  26. mel

    For 5 lbs of ribs enter in 8 servings to get the correct recipe. Serves/Makes: 8 Ingredients: ***Rub:*** 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon white pepper 2/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 1/3 teaspoon ground cumin 0.444 cup dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground oregano 1 1/3 tablespoon paprika 2 teaspoons salt 1/3 teaspoon sugar *** 5 1/3 pounds baby back ribs 1/3 cup barbecue sauce

  27. tony

    As far as serving size and ingredients are concerned, I have 5 lbs of baby back ribs., so what serving size do I enter in the calculator in order to add the correct ingredient amounts? Looking to cook these for Superbowl tomorrow. Thank you

  28. Newbie

    I am cooking the ribs for the first time tonight. I have a question about the way the ribs should be facing...should the meat side be touching the crock pot or facing straight up??? Or does it really matter? I can't wait to try them. My fiance is nervous because ribs are the man's job...lol.

  29. Patty REVIEW:

    Absolutely the best and easiest ribs that I have ever made. Oh so good!

  30. Grumpy John REVIEW:

    This recipe is FANTASTIC. It is very unique, never tasted ribs like this before and they taste great! To answer someones question, no, no liquid needs to be added. You actually end up with a lot of fat juice in crock pot after cooking. I thought I might need to put on Grill at end to "char" the outside of meat, but slow cook and touching the sides of Crock Pot does the job. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Cooking for friends tonight!! Just need to see if I can do this with Frozen Ribs (from Costco).

  31. selmers80 REVIEW:

    the first time i cooked these they were fabulous!! nothing was left! we are now having them for thanksgiving as well.

  32. vjwclso65 REVIEW:

    Cooked on high did keep an eye on it but it needed no liquid when 3 hours were over there was about 1 1/2 cup of juice in the pot. Ribs tender and full of flavor Wonderful! JMHO Did not need BBQ sauce at all.

  33. LongJohnSilver REVIEW:

    Really simple, tasty and great to come home to. Although I was concerned about the absence of additional liquid, this was not an issue. Moist, lean and flavorful.

  34. nmarino REVIEW:

    Best ribs we've had in a very long time. We'll definately be making these again!! 5 stars for being so easy and tasty!

  35. jtchristian REVIEW:

    Easy and taste wonderful! I highly recommend this recipe if you like tender fall-off-the-bone ribs with little preparation.

  36. jtchristian REVIEW:

    I give this a 5 for ease of preparation and for wonderful, tender, fall-off-bone ribs! My husband raved and raved! I would probably add some onion or garlic powder to the rub, but otherwise, they are very tasty! I love that you can do them in the crockpot which is a mainstay for my kitchen! Thanks for a new favorite!

  37. King of Kentville REVIEW:

    Amazing dish!!! Easy to prepare with excellent results.

  38. confused too

    I noticed someone already posted the same question I had, do you add liquid to the crockpot? It seems as if the ribs would completely dry out if not. I love my crockpot, but have never cooked ribs in it, and would love to. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    • You shouldn't need to add any additional liquid. A crock pot with a tight fitting lid (don't use a plastic lid!) will keep steam inside while it cooks and will make the liquid the ribs need. If you cook it on "high" you might want to keep your eye on it (at least the first time you make it), but cooking on low shouldn't cook off the liquid.

  39. sandy REVIEW:

    This recipe is the best crock pot recipe I've had. The family enjoyed it a lot.

  40. confused

    do you cook the ribs dry or do you add a liquid to the crock pot before cooking?

  41. Rell REVIEW:

    My family absolutely enjoyed this!! The first time I cooked it was for Thanksgiving dinner 2005. I now cook it when I want a "finger-licking" good Sunday dinner. It is hard to wake up Sunday morning to the smell of the ribs and not want to eat them then.

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