Crockpot Ribs
127 Comments May 05, 2025
Updated May 13, 2025
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Crockpot Ribs are an easy, no-fuss way to enjoy tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs. Seasoned with an easy homemade rub and finished with Sweet Baby Ray’s, they cook low and slow for rich, mouthwatering flavor—no grill needed.
This was the first recipe on my blog from 2013 – I’ve updated the photos a few times, but the recipe has not changed. Between the homemade rub, liquid smoke and my favorite barbecue sauce, this crockpot rib recipe is a winner.
There is no need to worry about overcooking or undercooking. Trust me, once you try these slow cooker ribs, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with any other method.
Ingredients for Crockpot Ribs
Here is all you need to make ribs with a homemade rub. Find the full ingredient amounts in the recipe card below the images:
- 1 rack of baby back pork ribs: The star of the show, these pork ribs will become incredibly tender and flavorful after hours of slow cooking.
- Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce: A classic barbecue sauce that adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess to the ribs. We also use this sauce in our Sweet Baby Rays Crockpot Chicken.
- Hickory Liquid Smoke: Liquid smoke adds rich, smoky flavor without a smoker—just a few teaspoons go a long way. It’s great in barbecue-style slow cooker recipes and makes your kitchen smell like smoked meat! Remember, a little goes a long way, do not add any extra!
- Rub ingredients: Brown sugar, onion powder, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika—this spice rub adds layers of flavor to the ribs, complementing the barbecue sauce beautifully.
How to make Crockpot Ribs
These ribs are so easy you can make them in 3 easy steps.
Step One: Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs; if you can’t get a hold of it with your fingers, use a paper towel to grip it.
Step Two: Cut the ribs into four equal portions. Add the dry rub ingredients to a bowl, then rub the ribs on both sides with it.
Step Three: Add the ribs to the slow cooker, then drizzle over the Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce. Add the water. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Variations
You don’t have to stick to my recipe, you can make one or more of my approved tweaks:
- Try Different Cuts: Swap baby back ribs for spare ribs, St. Louis-style ribs, or even country-style pork ribs—adjust cook time as needed for thicker cuts.
- Switch Up the BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce to change the flavor profile—try smoky chipotle, honey barbecue, Carolina mustard, or a spicy version for a kick.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in sliced sweet onions, bell peppers, or even wedges of cabbage or potatoes to cook alongside the ribs and soak up the flavor.
- Boost the Smokiness: Change the liquid smoke flavor—hickory, mesquite, or applewood all bring something different. Just keep the quantity small (very small, it can overpower the entire dish).
- Finish Under the Broiler: For crispy edges, broil the ribs for a few minutes after slow cooking, brushing with more sauce. (Do this on a sheet pan, don’t use your slow cooker insert).
How to Serve
Think summer sides when serving ribs and you will have a perfect meal:
- Serve the pork ribs with a side of creamy coleslaw and cornbread for a classic barbecue feast.
- Keep it simple with classic barbecue sides like slow cooker baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and potato salad.
- If you want an easy weeknight dinner pairing, simply serve with mashed potatoes or baked potatoes.
Featured Comment
“I have made this recipe time & time again and my husband keeps asking for it!! Thank you Magical Slow Cooker enjoy making a lot of your crockpot recipes..
– Lisa
Love your new website!!”
Crockpot Ribs Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 rack back pork ribs,
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sweet baby ray’s bbq sauce
- 2 tsp. hickory liquid smoke, do not add any more!
- more sweet baby ray’s bbq sauce for serving
Rub ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ 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 7-8 or high for 4 hours.
- Brush with more warmed barbecue sauce if desired and serve.
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Crockpot Rib Recipes
Country Style Pork Ribs with Bell Peppers and Onions are full of savory flavor and perfect served over rice. Ribs and Baked Beans make a hearty, comforting meal that’s great for family dinners.
Crockpot Country Style Ribs are tender, saucy, and easy to make with just a few ingredients. Slow Cooker Beef Ribs come out rich and fall-off-the-bone tender.
Pork Ribs, Potatoes, and Sauerkraut is a cozy, one-pot meal with classic flavor. Louisiana Ribs bring a bold, Cajun-inspired kick that’s perfect for spice lovers.
I made these exactly as a recipe called for and indeed they fell off the bones but halfway through my second rib I realized there was something really missing and that was salt. I went back and reread the recipe that was no salt in the recipe therefore while the meat indeed fell off the bone it was bland and flavorless.
Jeanne – You can add salt to the ribs to fix them up if you found them bland. I do not add salt to my recipe for pork can be VERY salty. You can adjust it next you make them to add salt if that’s what you prefer.
What are measurements of spices?
They are in the recipe card at the bottom of the photos.
!excellent!
A fantastic recipe. The only thing I did differently is that I put the ribs on a grill. This gave them some nice color. Truly, this is the very best recipe for fall-off-the-bone ribs.
I made these slow cooker ribs and they came out awesome. I’ve made ribs before in my pressure cooker, on the grill and in the oven but these have to be the best I’ve made.
Five star on this rib recipe.
You listed several kinds of alternative meat, would this work with a couple small pork tenderloins?
I don’t see why not!
I made these last night and they were delicious! I had a 3lb. slab of baby back ribs. There were a total of 12 ribs so I cut the slab into thirds with 4 ribs each. I used a 4 quart cooker which was just fine. I put a small wire rack in the bottom of the cooker to keep them up out of the water. I followed the suggestion of many of the other commenters and only used 1/2 cup of water and that was plenty. I went a bit lighter than 2 tsps. of Liquid Smoke but did everything else just as written. I did them for 8 hours on low heat. I had cooked a pot of baked beans in the oven during the last hour of ribs so the oven was still hot. I put the ribs on a small sheet pan and under the broiler for about 8 minutes. Turned it off and let them coast in the hot oven for 15 – 20 before serving. I had to be careful lifting them out of the cooker as they really were falling apart tender. Great recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Can I do two racks in the same slow cooker? I looks like there is room. I have a larger group. Thanks!
Yes! That will work fine.
Thanks!
Great ribs. Easy peezy
Always perfect!!!!
Will the ribs be better if cooked on low than if cooked on high? The four hour method would be much better for my situation but I want the ribs to be very tender and moist. I also plan to finish with a good glaze under the broiler.