Cooking delicious, tender BBQ ribs in a crock pot is easy and convenient. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make mouthwatering ribs right at home. Here is a complete guide on how to make bbq ribs in a crock pot.
Ingredients Needed
To make amazing BBQ ribs in the crockpot, you will need:
- 3-4 pounds of pork ribs or beef ribs
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prep the Ribs
Before cooking the ribs, you need to prep them:
- Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs. This will allow the seasonings and sauce to fully penetrate the meat.
- Pat dry the ribs with paper towels and lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
- For extra flavor, you can rub the ribs with a spice rub mixture. Use 1-2 tablespoons of spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, brown sugar, etc.
- Rub the spice mix all over the ribs, coating them evenly on both sides.
Cook the Ribs
Now you are ready to cook the seasoned ribs:
- Place the ribs in a 6-8 quart crockpot. Make sure the ribs are lying flat and stacked up, meaty side facing up.
- In a bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika and garlic powder. Whisk well to combine.
- Pour the barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the ribs.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
- For maximum flavor, baste the ribs with the sauce every 2 hours while cooking. Carefully turn and coat the ribs each time.
Finish the Ribs
Once cooked, here are a few final steps:
- Carefully remove the tender ribs from the crockpot and transfer them to a baking sheet.
- Set oven to broil on high heat.
- Brush the ribs with more barbecue sauce and broil for 2-3 minutes until lightly charred.
- Remove from oven, brush with more sauce if desired and enjoy!
With this simple crockpot method, you can enjoy ultra tender and juicy BBQ ribs easily at home. Adjust cooking times as needed for meat to fall off the bone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of ribs work best?
Pork baby back ribs and St. Louis style ribs are ideal for the crockpot. For beef, opt for short ribs. Stay away from spare ribs as they have more bone vs meat.
Can you cook the ribs from frozen?
Yes, frozen ribs can go directly in the crockpot! Just add 1-2 hours more to the cooking time.
How do you get the ribs extra tender?
Cooking on low heat for 7-8 hours makes the ribs incredibly tender. Also basting them 2-3 times with sauce helps break down the meat.
What sides go well with crockpot ribs?
Crockpot BBQ ribs pair deliciously with homemade coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans, mac and cheese, potato salad, corn on the cob, etc.
Can the ribs be prepared ahead of time?
Absolutely! Cook the ribs fully until tender. Then cool, refrigerate for up to 3-4 days and reheat in the oven before serving.
Conclusion
Cooking BBQ ribs in a crockpot produces ribs that are super tender and packed with flavor. The low and slow cooking method allows the meat to become fall-off-the-bone tender. Feel free to experiment with different barbecue sauces and spice rubs. In just a few easy steps, you can make the most mouthwatering ribs that will be a big hit at your next cookout or barbecue. Enjoy your homemade crockpot ribs!