Easy Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

This recipe for slow cooker baby back ribs is a breeze to make, using a homemade tasty dry rub, that's sure to please everyone at the table. Just a little time in the morning and you have tender fall-off-the-bone ribs come dinner.

One of the easiest dishes I like to make at home is slow cooker ribs. I used to think this was only something you could get at a restaurant. However, once I tried making them at home in a slow cooker, I was amazed at how easy it was to make this delicious dish.

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Just a few minutes of time in the morning, and you have a delicious meal waiting for you at dinner time. 

All you have to do is rinse off the ribs and cut them into slabs to fit the slow cooker. In this example, I'm using baby back ribs, but you can use larger pork ribs if that's what you prefer or all you can find in the store.

Then liberally coat them with a nice dry rub. I use my own homemade BBQ rub, but you can usually find one in the grocery store or purchase a dry rub online.

How to Cook Ribs in a Slow Cooker

Step 1. Place the rib slabs standing on end in the slow cooker as shown above. 

Step 2. Cook on low heat for 6 - 8 hours. 

There will be a large amount of grease in the bottom, which is why I like to stand the ribs up in the pot.

Step 3. Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place on a serving tray.

Step 4. Serve immediately or consider brushing or drizzling barbecue sauce on top of the cooked ribs and placing them under the broiler for a few minutes.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs FAQs

• If you only have a few hours to cook them, you can try cooking on high heat.
• You'll know that they are perfectly done when they're falling off the bone tender.
• Serve immediately, or place them on a sheet pan drizzled with barbecue sauce. Place the pan under the broiler for 5 minutes for added barbecue flavor.
• Skip the sauce and you have a great low-carb dinner that's so satisfying and delicious.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

When I was a kid we would sometimes whip up a quick homemade barbecue sauce with ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Start with a cup of ketchup in a saucepan and then add in some brown sugar, about 1/4 cup.

Next, add a teaspoon of any mustard you have on hand along with about 1 teaspoon or two of Worcestershire sauce. From there you can play around adding more sweetness or more ketchup to suit your taste. Add water to thin. Finally, if you like it spicy add in some cayenne powder or hot sauce.

You don't have to go out to a restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal like this. Make your own slow cooker ribs at home and your family will love it.

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