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Home » slow cooker » Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

Published: Jul 30, 2017 · Modified: Mar 25, 2020 by Louisa Clements · This post may contain affiliate links

This post may contain affiliate links

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4 hours 10 minutes 12 Comments

Easy slow cooker pork ribs with a homemade smoky barbecue sauce are made in the Crockpot and then finished off under the broiler for the ultimate ribs recipe.

Easy slow cooker pork ribs with a homemade smoky barbecue sauce. | livinglou.com

Honestly, if you’re not making ribs in the slow cooker, this recipe will change your life. I swear, these ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and loaded with flavour.

I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with ribs over the years, but I think I’ve finally cracked the code and fallen in love with this crowd-pleasing favourite. It starts with a dry rub that is made with a combination of chili powder, salt, paprika and my secret ingredient, dried mustard powder. The mustard powder adds a bit of a tang to the rub and balances with the sweetness from the paprika.

Easy slow cooker pork ribs with a homemade smoky barbecue sauce. | livinglou.com

There are dry rubs out there with hundreds of ingredients, and you can get as complicated as you like, but I’m all about simplicity. Big flavour is a given, but a small ingredients list is a must.

This has always been my style; simply, fresh and flavourful, but as I mentioned in my last post, I’m even more inspired after working my way through the Chez Panisse cookbook. I’m not quite finished yet (who has a ton of time for reading these days?) but I’m really loving this little culinary deep-dive I’m doing right now, I was inspired by this piece on must-read cookbooks in the New York Times.

These pork ribs and definitely simple and flavourful, I’m not sure that you can really describe ribs as fresh, but you could easily serve this with a salad and call it a day! This recipe also has a homemade barbecue sauce, which may sound like an unnecessary step, but this sauce takes just five minutes and is 100% worth it.

You could use your favourite bottled barbecue sauce, but I think you should live a little and make your own. The secret ingredient for the barbecue sauce is liquid hickory smoke. If you can’t find liquid smoke, you could always add a teaspoon or so of smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder or chipotles in adobo sauce.

Try this with: Chopped Salad with Blue Cheese

Easy slow cooker pork ribs with a homemade smoky barbecue sauce. | livinglou.com

When you think slow cooker, you probably don’t immediately associate it with the summer. But the truth is, other than a barbecue, a slow cooker should be your best friend in the summer. You don’t have to heat up your kitchen with the stovetop or oven. While a slow cooker does become hot to the touch, it doesn’t actually heat up your kitchen. It’s magical! Plus, you can set it and forget it, and head out for the day and come back to dinner that’s ready to go.

When I was testing this recipe, I tested making ribs both on high for four hours and on low for eight. They were both delicious, but I actually preferred the 4-hour ribs! Once they are done, I brush them with barbecue sauce and then they get broiled in the oven for a few minutes.

Easy slow cooker pork ribs with a homemade smoky barbecue sauce. | livinglou.com

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

Author: Louisa Clements
4.60 from 10 votes
Easy slow cooker pork ribs with a homemade smoky barbecue sauce are made in the Crockpot and then finished off under the broiler for the ultimate ribs recipe.
Pin Print
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 10 minutes
servings icon
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 rack of pork ribs, side or back are fine
  • ¼ cup water

Dry rub:

  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp paprika

BBQ sauce:

  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp reserved dry rub
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire
  • ½ tsp liquid smoke

Instructions

  • Remove the membrane from the ribs and trim off any excess fat. Mix spices together for dry rub, remove 1 tsp and reserve for BBQ sauce. Rub remaining spice rub all over both sides of ribs.
  • Add ¼ cup of water to slow cooker, then add ribs. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8. (I prefer to cook on high for 4 hours).
  • In a small pot heat all ingredients for BBQ sauce over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 3-5 mins, stirring frequently so it doesn't burn. Remove from heat
  • Carefully remove ribs from slow cooker, discard excess fat + liquid. Brush with BBQ sauce. Place on a foil lined baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes (check frequently as it can burn quickly depending how hot your broiler is).
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + rating and let me know what you think!
Filed Under: Dinner Recipes, easy, gluten free, meat, slow cooker
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 97 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 805mg35%
Potassium 157mg4%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 498IU10%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any specific dietary concerns, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.

Let me know if you give these slow cooker pork ribs a try in the comments below.

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Comments

  1. Lou

    January 28, 2022 at 8:00 pm

    These ribs are fantastic! They are too tasty to share!

    5 stars

    Reply
  2. Fiori

    May 30, 2021 at 9:43 am

    This is one of my favourite recipes. I’ve made the ribs so many times and they are incredibly tasty! Well done Lou.
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
  3. Shirley Clememts

    July 21, 2018 at 11:33 am

    Even tho it is hot & muggy out here today, I am going to make these ribs! They are awesome!
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
  4. Susan

    October 22, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    I bought a slow cooker on Thursday and made these ribs on Friday on my sister's recommendation. They were fabulous! Super easy and the whole family loved them.
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Lou

      November 07, 2017 at 8:36 pm

      I'm thrilled you and your family enjoyed them Susan, thank you for letting me know!
      Reply
  5. Carolyn Spriet

    October 05, 2017 at 8:30 pm

    These ribs were delicious! And so easy! Kids loved them. Thank you!
    ★★★★☆

    4 stars

    Reply
    • Lou

      October 12, 2017 at 5:45 pm

      Hi Carolyn, I'm so glad that you and your family enjoyed them! Thanks for letting me know. :)
      Reply
  6. Josh

    August 09, 2017 at 10:23 am

    These sound really good! I'm going to try them but I'll put some brown sugar in the dry rub. Can't wait, thanks Living' Lou!
    Reply
    • Lou

      August 17, 2017 at 10:32 pm

      Thanks Josh, brown sugar would be great in here! Let me know how it goes! :)
      Reply
  7. Shirley

    July 31, 2017 at 9:25 am

    Oh my goodness; yet another awesomely delicious recipe that I am going to make! And, I soooo enjoy your comments leading up to why you have decided to make your various & always yummy creations! Keep them coming! I've loved every recipe that Living Lou has published!
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Lou

      August 17, 2017 at 10:33 pm

      Thank you! I always love sharing my process on here! :)
      Reply

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Hi, I'm Louisa Clements & welcome to Living Lou. I've been creating simple, fresh & flavorful recipes for the modern kitchen for 12 years.
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