Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are the best way to make ribs if you don’t like to grill. The ribs turn out fall off the bone tender.
Welcome to the very first recipe on the Magical Slow Cooker. This recipe has not changed over the years but my photography skills have.
How to make Ribs in the Crockpot:
This recipe has a homemade rub for the ribs, it’s very simple
Ingredients:
- One rack of pork baby back ribs
- Sweet baby rays barbecue sauce
- Water
- Hickory liquid smoke
Rub ingredients:
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Brown Sugar
- (add the liquid smoke to the rub or to the water in the slow cooker)
Directions:
- Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs. I do this by lifting an edge in the middle, then ripping off in one piece.
- Cut the ribs into 4 even sections.
- In a small bowl combine the rub ingredients. (Or apply the pulled pork seasoning packet)
- Rub the rub mixture onto the ribs evenly. Add the ribs to the slow cooker. Spread over the barbecue sauce on the ribs and pour the water and liquid smoke around the ribs
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
What is liquid smoke and why should I use it?
- Liquid smoke can be used in place of cooking with wood smoke in recipes and will add plenty of smoke flavor. I find liquid smoke near the hot sauces at the store.
- Use sparingly, I never use more than a few teaspoons, even in my large pulled pork recipes.
- I use liquid smoke in many of my barbecue inspired recipes in the slow cooker. Makes the house smell like smoked meat while cooking!
Can I use a different cut of meat in this recipe?
Yes! Choose one of these cuts of meat in place of the baby back ribs:
- Pork spare ribs
- Country style pork ribs
- Beef back or spare ribs
- Beef shortribs
What to serve with baby back ribs:
I like to serve similar sides as if I was barbecuing. Here are my top choices, choice one or more to go with your ribs:
- Crack Potatoes
- Baked potatoes
- Jalapeno cheese corn or Corn on the Cob
- Green salad
- Cornbread
Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs made with a homemade rub that has liquid smoke, seasonings and brown sugar.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 246kcal
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker – 5 quart or larger
Ingredients:
- 1 rack back pork ribs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sweet baby ray’s bbq sauce
- 2 tsp. hickory liquid smoke
- more sweet baby ray’s bbq sauce for serving
Rub ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
Instructions:
- Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs, I do this by lifting an edge of the middle of the ribs and tearing off in one piece.
- Cut the ribs into 4 sections.
- In a small bowl prepare the rub; combine the brown sugar, onion powder, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Put the rub onto ribs with hands.
- Place the ribs in the slow cooker. Pour the water and liquid smoke in around the ribs. (note- you can add the liquid smoke into the rub instead of adding it in the water if desired). Pour over the barbecue sauce on top of the ribs.
- Cook on low for 8 or high for 4 hours.
- Brush with more warmed barbecue sauce if desired and serve.
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
Can I use a flavored barbecue sauce?
Yes! Use your favorite such as honey or chipotle barbecue sauce.Can I use a different cut of meat?
Yes, try one of these cuts if you can’t find pork baby back ribs.- Pork spare ribs
- Country style pork ribs
- Beef back or spare ribs
- Beef shortribs
Nutrition:
Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 258mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
First published: 01/08/2013
Updated: 07/06/2015
Try another one of my slow cooker rib recipes next week!
- Slow Cooker Beer and Onion Beef Ribs
- Slow Cooker County Style Pork Ribs with Bell Peppers and Onions
- Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs in Tomato Gravy
- Slow Cooker Pork Ribs, Potatoes and Sauerkraut
- Slow Cooker Louisiana Ribs {Cajun Style}
- Slow Cooker Pork Buffalo Style Ribs
- Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
- Slow Cooker Molasses Country Style Ribs
I like using a plastic bag in my slow cooker for easy clean up after. Will this effect the end results?
No, in fact not for any recipe. I notice my food burns less.
Recipe calls for 5 ounces of BBQ sauce for cooking — Can you use more — say 10 ounces (full cup) for cooking — or will that negatively affect the outcome?
It’s fine. But save some for serving if possible. You’ll want fresh bbq to put on at the end.
Any time I make ribs in the slow cooker, I pop them under the broiler for 5-10 minutes after cooking them in the slow cooker. Adds a nice finishing touch and gives them that grilled feel.
Omg!!!! Superb! Easy and will make again in 2 weeks!
Can I cook them in multicooker on the meat setting instead of slow cooker setting.
It’s hard to say without trying. But I think it will work fine.
I thought it was strange that salt was not a dry rub ingredient? Is there a reason?
Ribs are plenty salty enough to me, but you can add it if you want.
I have a 4 quart crockpot and the recipe was perfect with the 4 hours on high – fall off the bone soft and 100% delicious!
I. Live by myself and am a senior and I love ribs so tommorow I’m going to try this I’m excited , I’ll let you know how it turns out
How did it go Sandra?
Could you put the recipe up for cowboy potatoes and meatloaf?
The hobo dinner? Here it is: https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/hobo-dinner-in-the-slow-cooker/
Followed as directed except 1 cup of water is way too much. Even 1/2 cup is more than enough. 1/3 is just about right for leaving enough juice at just the right thickness. Otherwise, the recipe is very good.
When I find that happens in the crock pot recipes I take the lid off and let the house fill with the delightful aroma. It happens to me all the time, too.
Your recipe calls to cook it for 4 hours but in the cook time above in recipe it says 8 what’s up with tha
Says low for 8 or high for 4.
So I made these today following the recipe to a “T” and there seemed to be a extraordinarily amount of liquid after the cooking process resulting in my drawing off 2 cups of liquid from the slow cooker and continuing to cook them an additional hour or two to dry them out. Why did this occur? Could I have pulled them from them from the oven to finish them off? What temp would I do that at?
This is normal with slow cooking. You can not brown things in the slow cooker. You can broil them in the oven for a few minutes if desired.
I can’t read your recipe for the d” social media flags on the left side of the website. Seven to be exact. God didn’t create my eyes to see through this junk. I would love to be able to see the recipe, but, this website will be deleted from my speed dials.
Hi Connie, I would never purposely put something so you couldn’t see. Some devices show things differently, I will look into it.
If I cook the baby back ribs in slow cooker on high for 4 hours, will they still be tender and fall off the bone bs slow cooking on low for 8 hours?
Yes! They still will be!
I can’t wait to try these!! They are some of my favs.
Can you cook 2 racks of baby backs at once
Yes! Will work fine.
Sarah, I’m going to try your recipe for babyback ribs tomorrow. BUT…you don’t indicate anywhere HOW MUCH water to put in the cooker along with the ribs and everything else! Thanks, Ray!
1 cup, it’s in the ingredients right under the ribs.
Thank you, must have missed that!!
No worries, more often it’s me! Hope you enjoy these.
I have made these alot and they are the best, even without liquid smoke.
I make these with a little different seasoning. Splenda Brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, Garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano for the rub and sugar free BBQ sauce. My wife is diabetic and these don’t bother her blood sugars too much and the taste is wonderful. The meat just falls off the bone.