Meet the most fall-off-the-bone tender, no oven, I-think-I’m-gonna-need-a-bigger-bib Crockpot Ribs. Do yourself and every rib lover in your life a finger-lickin’ favor: put a batch in your slow cooker. Baby backs, spare ribs, country…this recipe works with any of your favorite cuts.
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The best way to get fall-off-the-bone tender ribs.
In addition to being one of the best crock pot recipes to come out of my kitchen in a long time, these slow cooker ribs have a full rack of winning qualities.
- Like my Instant Pot Ribs, these crockpot ribs have the deep, smoky barbecue flavor that you love, thanks to my Homemade BBQ Sauce.
- You’ll need less than 10 minutes of prep to get them sauced and in your slow cooker (perhaps only this Shredded Chicken Sandwich recipe is easier). The slow cooker does the rest of the work while you go about your day.
- And of course, they’re fall-off-the-bone tender. You can pull them apart with your fingers!
These tender ribs are ideal for game day parties, easy weeknight dinners, or anytime you’re in the mood for something undeniably delicious.
5 Star Review
“We made these yesterday and they came out perfectly! The meat was so tender and was falling off the bone. It was super easy to prep before heading off to work.”
— Lauren —
My Tips for Perfect Ribs in the Slow Cooker
- Use Any Type of Ribs. This crockpot ribs recipe will work for any style of pork ribs. We did baby back ribs, but country-style ribs or spare ribs could be used too. I haven’t tried crock pot boneless ribs or beef ribs yet, but I see no reason why those wouldn’t work so feel free to experiment.
- Swap in Store-Bought Sauce to Streamline Prep. While I will always encourage you to use a from-scratch sauce, you can also make crockpot ribs with a store-bought sauce too. Nobody will ever complain about crock pot bbq ribs with Sweet Baby Ray’s—trust me!
- Use a Thermometer. Ribs are safe to eat at 145 degrees F, but the temperature should be at 190 degrees F or higher to ensure the most tender meat. You can use an instant read thermometer to check the exact temperature.
- Or Check Other Cues for Doneness. If you don’t have a thermometer, there are other signs you can look for:
- Color. When done, the meat in the middle should be white, and there shouldn’t be any pink juices.
- Bones. Check your ribs to see if the meat has drawn back from the bone. When done, the meat will expose some of the bone at the thin end of the ribs.
- Flexibility. Your ribs should be flexible but not falling apart. When you think your ribs are done, grab one end with a pair of tongs and pick them up. The ribs should bend towards the ground without falling apart.
- Tenderness. Gently insert a toothpick between two of the bones. If the toothpick goes in easily, then the ribs are done.
How to Make Crockpot Ribs
Add the Ribs to a Slow Cooker. It’s OK to stack them if needed.
Mix the Sauce Ingredients. You can make it from scratch or swap storebought.
Pour Half Over the Ribs. Save the rest for serving.
Slow Cook. Cook on low for 8 hours, until tender. Serve immediately with the reserved sauce, and ENJOY!
What to Serve with Ribs
- Slaws. Try this Healthy Coleslaw for something classic or Brussels Sprouts Slaw for something different.
- Cornbread. Perfect for sopping up extra sauce! Try Mexican Cornbread, Jalapeno Cornbread, or Cornbread Muffins.
- Baked Beans. Boston Baked Beans cook gently in the oven. Easy Baked Beans are fast and easy.
- Corn on the Cobb. Everyone loves Grilled Corn with their ribs!
Crockpot Ribs
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Ingredients
- 3 ½ to 4 pounds pork ribs cut into individual ribs (spare ribs, baby back, or country-style will all work with this method; I used baby back)
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Spray a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add the ribs in an even layer.
- In a small bowl or large measuring cup, stir together the ketchup, molasses, vinegar, hot sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour half of the sauce over the ribs, then cover the sauce bowl and save the rest in the refrigerator.
- Cover the ribs and cook on LOW for 8 hours, until they are cooked and ultra-tender. Serve immediately with the reserved sauce (I like to warm up the extra sauce for serving too).
Video
Notes
- STORE-BOUGHT SAUCE: You can also make crockpot ribs with store-bought sauce, like Sweet Baby Rays, if you prefer. Simply swap the homemade bbq sauce ingredients for 1-2 cups of your favorite premade variety and cook as directed in the recipe.
- TO STORE: Leftover ribs may be stored, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- TO FREEZE: Cooked crockpot ribs may be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
- TO REHEAT: Warm the ribs in a slow cooker on LOW until heated through. You may also warm in a large, covered, saucepan on the stovetop over LOW heat or in the microwave in a covered container until heated through. I suggest adding a bit of water and/or barbecue sauce to the ribs before warming to prevent them from drying out.
Nutrition
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Sign Me UpFrequently Asked Questions
I’ve never made slow cooker ribs without cutting them apart, so I can’t say from experience. That said, several readers have reported leaving the racks partially intact, so seems to be an option. I would keep an eye on them as they cook since they may need a bit longer to cook if not cut into individual ribs.
If (like me) you forget to thaw your meat ahead of time, don’t worry. Crockpot ribs can still be in your (near) future. Here’s how you can thaw ribs quickly and safely.
Keep your ribs in their packaging or in a sealed ziptop bag. Fill a large bowl with cold water, and submerge your ribs in the water, adding something on top of them to keep them from floating to the top.
Leave the ribs for about 30 minutes, then check to see if they are thawed. If they are still frozen, drain the water and refill with fresh cold water.
No, do not place frozen ribs in a crockpot. Frozen meat will begin to thaw in the slow cooker and may spend too long at room temperature, rendering it unsafe to eat.
Yes. While I have not tried the recipe this way, other readers have reported success with a double layer of ribs in a single crockpot.
Yes. Believe it or not, you can overcook ribs in a slow cooker. That’s why I recommend cooking them low and slow and keeping an eye on them towards the end. You’re looking for meat that’s tender and comes off the bone with light pressure.
Rinse the rack of ribs and pat them dry. If your ribs still have the thin, shiny membrane on the back, remove it. (This is easy, don’t worry!) Flip to the back of the ribs over, meat-side down. Wiggle a dull knife (such as a butter knife) between the membrane and the ribs to loosen it. With a paper towel, grip the membrane and pull it away, then discard.
This allows your spice rub or sauces to penetrate the meat and also helps the meat become tender.
Somehow came out mushy AND dry. Don’t waste your ribs like I did.
I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe, Mike. I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it does not turn out for you. It has worked well for myself (and others) and I wished it would have been a hit for you too.
I’d love to try making this in my new Ninja Foodi Possible Pro cooker. I’m trying to replace my old slow cooker. But would I use the braise function since there’s little liquid?
Thanks
Hi Debora, I’m not familiar with that cooker so I wouldn’t be able to advise on how to change the recipe or use a different function without having done it myself. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!
I used Pomi strained tomatoes instead of ketchup because it has almost no sodium. Seasonings all low or no sodium. People on low sodium diet can alter the recipe to enable them to enjoy ribs. Hardest thing to do was mix ingredients and pour over ribs. I included cumin, garlic powder and a creole spice which are all no or low sodium. Found lots of other no sodium spices on Amazon. Plain ribs 248 calories and no sodium per 3 ounce serving. My alterations added possibly 50 mg. sodium per serving. Salt not missed. Absolutely delicious.
This is the best crockpot ribs recipe I have ever found that was easily adaptable for people with dietary issues,
Hi Roberta! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Thank you for this review! Helpful suggestions for substitutes, much appreciated
Enjoy, Melanie!
I made this recipe for dinner tonight. It deserves more than 5 stars! The family gobbled it up and licked the sauce off the plates. Everyone said it was their new favorite meal and they loved the sauce!! I followed the recipe as written and did not change a thing. Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These were super easy and GOOD! The meat really did just fall off the bone and was incredibly tender. I will definitely make these again on a day when I need a big meal after being out all day; it was great to come home to this and my pre-made Well Plated black bean & corn salad!
Hi Kelly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Excellent! Had not tried cooking ribs before and Labor Day weekend seemed perfect. Super easy and we LOVED them. Enjoyed the homemade sauce too! Thanks for all your great recipes.
Hi Jana! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
As a kid, I was not a fan of ribs. They were a lot of work, messy and not enough meat on them for all the effort. The same week I came across this recipe, there was a B1G2 offer on ribs. This recipe makes all my ribs issues go away and they are delicious. I have made them 3 times in the past month and a half (the b1g2 deal). Everyone enjoyed them. The first time I made them, I made the sauce. The last two I used store bought sauce. No one noticed the difference.
Love to hear that, thank you Kerrie!
I cooked a 4 lb baby back in a crockpot. I dry rubbed them with a simple roll of no in
Lap
I dry rubed my baby back ribs overnite in frig. the ribs were 4 lbs put them in my crock pot for 6 hrs on low. they were destroyed.i did not cut the ribs first, l stood them vertical on the sides & put a l/2 cut onion and 3 cloves
Of sliced garlic & 1/2c water what did I do wrong?
Mike M
Hi Mike, what do you mean they were destroyed?
This was incredible! My husband and I agreed they were the best ribs we’ve had. Thanks for an excellent recipe! Love the barbecue sauce too!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it Nicole!
Cor! Just wolfed a plate of these and I’m definitely saving the recipe. I find ready-made ribs & sauces to be far too sweet for my taste, but these were just so.
Subbed white wine vinegar for cider, because that’s what I had and also added some ginger, just because. Bonus points awarded for giving me an excuse to dig out the jar of molasses that has been lurking in the back of the cupboard. Incidentally, I halved the quantities as I was cooking for one with no noticeable downsides.
Good work Erin, I’ll have a browse and see what else takes my fancy (and if you can recommend something for pork belly, I’d be obliged).
Thank you so much, Jim! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
They cook fine (on low.they were done I 4 hours) but I think they needed to be finnished off under the brioler. They seemed a bit too slimy. I will turn the left overs into pulled pork tomorrow.
You can definitely broil them for a minute or so. Thanks, Laura.
The technique for the ribs (I made pork spareribs) was spot on. But the sauce was a major miss. The molasses flavor overpowered everything- including the flavor of the pork- and I love pork! Use the technique, lose the sauce is my experience
Thank you Peggyann!
Yummy barbecue sauce. Ribs were drier than they should have been. 7 hours on low setting was too long for baby back ribs, never mind the 8 hours listed in the recipe. The recipe should state varied hours for various rib types. I used a large capacity Crock Pot slow cooker.
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with the recipe, Kat. The timing has worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would have been a hit for you too! I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it does not turn out for you.