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These are the BEST slow cooker ribs! You’ll never believe that these crockpot ribs can be made with only 2 INGREDIENTS! They’re saucy, slightly sticky and fall-off-the-bone delicious.
Ok, ok, so I skipped a week off from my 3-ingredient recipe campaign. But if you read my post from last Thursday you’ll understand why! The good news is, I had such a relaxing weekend with very little work and a lot of fun (and SUN), I am feeling refreshed and energized for everything life throws at me this week!
And life has luckily now thrown at YOU – the easiest dinner you’ve made in…well maybe, forever. For reals! In full transparency, this is actually a 2 ingredient recipe!
These ribs are THE BEST slow cooker ribs! It’s basically the only way I make ribs these days, and trust me, no one is complaining. Soft, tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with a sticky, slightly crispy outer layer make for a bunch of happy shiny-faced family members.
But quickly, back to the weekend.
We had SUNSHINE you guys! Saturday wasn’t the greatest weather, but Sunday was heavenly. The kids and I literally spent the whole day outside in the backyard. We only went in for some snacks (which we ate outside) and to use the bathroom. The boys wore shorts. Hattie wore a dress. Flip-flops, hats and sunscreen all around. I feel a little more alive now….finally warm and sunny spring weather!
Ok, the ribs.
Why are these the best slow cooker ribs?
If you weren’t already convinced by my description of fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, I think I can convince you that this is the best recipe with a few other things:
- this recipe takes 5 minutes to prepare (FIVE)!
- it’s completely hands off, except for the last 5 minutes (again, FIVE)!
- the house smells sooo good while these bad boys are cooking
How do you make these crockpot ribs?
You want to start with a 2 1/2 – 3 pound rack of ribs. I almost always buy back ribs! If you want a detailed explanation on the different cuts of ribs, you should reference this article from Bon Appetit.
Really, this recipe works with whatever size ribs you have, as long as they all fit in your slow cooker. You’ll just need to add more (or less) barbeque sauce to account for it.
So, place your ribs on a baking sheet or cutting board, and using a pastry brush, spread some barbeque sauce all over the meaty side of the ribs. You can use whatever BBQ sauce you prefer to use. I usually make my own, but when I don’t have time for that, I use Amazing Dad’s Original BBQ Sauce (not sponsored).
Before you ask, I don’t ever remove the membrane from the back of my ribs before cooking them. I’ve spent the time doing it before, but I truthfully have never noticed a big enough difference to make it a routine step in my rib-making. Feel free to remove it, using a sharp knife, if you’d prefer it that way!
Add 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce to the bottom of your slow cooker, and spread it around with the back of a spoon.
Place the ribs in your slow cooker, along the walls of the crockpot. Place the lid on, and set the time to cook on low, for 6-7 hours.
If you’re short on time, you could speed up the cooking process by turning the temperature to medium and cooking for 3-4 hours. Honestly, though, if you have the time, low and slow is the way to go! It’ll result in a much more tender piece of meat.
How do you get that crispiness on the outside of the ribs?
Ok, this is the BEST PART of the whole slow cooker ribs process. When the ribs are done, you’ll notice that they don’t look overly enticing, however soft they may be. This last step is the most important!
Remove the ribs and place them on a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil, with a wire rack placed on top. Lay the ribs on top of the wire rack, spread some more BBQ sauce on with your pastry brush, and place the ribs under the broiler of your oven on HIGH for about 5 minutes, or until bubbling, sticky and delicious. Serve them immediately!
What do you serve slow cooker ribs with?
We usually serve these with rice and mixed vegetables or green beans, but we switch it up too with some of the sides from the blog:
Enjoy the ribs – with all of the food shortages and limited grocery shopping trips lately, at least you know you only have to pick up 2 ingredients from the store to have a wicked dinner!
Some other easy dinner ideas for you:
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The Best Slow Cooker Ribs
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
Description
These are the BEST slow cooker ribs! You’ll never believe that these crockpot ribs can be made with only 2 INGREDIENTS! They’re saucy, slightly sticky and fall-off-the-bone delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb – 3 lb rack of back ribs*
- 3/4 cup barbeque sauce of choice, divided
Instructions
- Place the rack(s) of ribs on a cutting board or baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, spread 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of sauce over the front of the ribs (the meaty side). Add 1/4 cup of sauce to the bottom of the crockpot, spreading it around with the back of a spoon. Place the ribs along the walls of the crockpot, put the lid on and cook the ribs on low, for 6-7 hours.**
- Preheat your oven to broil on high. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, then place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. Remove the cooked ribs from the crockpot, to the wire rack. Using a pastry brush (do not use the one that you used on the raw ribs without cleaning it first), spread 1/4 cup of barbeque sauce over the top of the ribs (meaty side up) and place the ribs under the broiler for 5-6 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the ribs look “sticky”. Serve immediately!
Leftover ribs keep in an airtight container, in the fridge, for 2-3 days.
Notes
*You can use a different cut of ribs, if that’s what you have, or a different size. Just be sure to account for the size different with the amount of barbeque sauce you use.
**If you have less time, you can speed up the cooking process by cooking the ribs on medium for 3-4 hours instead. Low and slow will result in a more tender meat, though!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: dinner
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: american
I can’t believe how simple these are to make! I always think of ribs as complicated. . .I love that there are only two ingredients, too!
They are soooo easy Kelsie!! I love this recipe when I want something delicious but am feeling lazy 😉
I have made ribs this way, and was skeptical, until I ate the first one! Now I’ve made them a second time. Crazy good, and this technique works so well.
It does work so well, doesn’t it!? They turn out SO tender every time. I can’t do them any other way now!
I’m a huge fan of ribs and I have yet to make them in my slow cooker….this will happen! Thank you!
I hope you give it a try, Annie. It’s so perfectly hands off! XO
Katherine, so happy you and your family got some sunshine! It’s good for the soul! I’m obsessed with this recipe – they look so tender and delicious!! I love ribs…pass me the napkins! LOL!
Thank you Haylie! I’m so grateful for the sun too. And yes, you’ll definitely need napkins for these bad boys! Haha
I can definitely tell that they are the best!!! I mean look at how they almost fall of that bone. Dang now I want ribs!!! I couldn’t have used more exclamation points but I truly meant them haha!
Haha that is so funny Christie. I need to make them again soon! Yay!
I’m so glad you had a fun, relaxing weekend, Katherine!
Wow…you can’t get much easier than these ribs. So perfect for the lazy summer days ahead – just set, forget and dinner is done!! Love it.
Exactly! My favorite way to dinner, Marissa. Hands off! 🙂 Thanks my friend!
These look incredible! So succulent and meaty!
Sooo succulent. I love ribs this way! Thanks Kim!
Absolutely love ribs cooked low and slow and using the slow cooker is a great low key way to get the perfect tenderness. They look awesome, Katherine! Today I got baby back ribs…Guess what I will be cooking tomorrow night:)
Low and slow IS the way to go, for sure! Oooh I hope you give it a try Milena!! Happy cooking! XO
I’m honestly not a huge fan of ribs (I feel nervous about foods which make your hands messy haha), but I must admit this looks amazing! I’ve been looking, nope, staring at these photos for a while thinking “This must happen in my life ASAP!” As for weather, spring isn’t rushing to arrive (we had snow Saturday overnight), but it will be soon. We’ve had over 10 degrees above zero for two days in a row now, and they promise even 15 soon. Stay positive!
Hah I know what you mean about messy hands. Can you imagine how messy all the hands around my family are after I make this recipe? Haha! I hope you get that 15 degrees they’re promising!! I’m so excited for the warm weather too!
I LOVE how simple this recipe is – and still full of flavour. This is a recipe my whole family would enjoy. I love ribs! 😀
We love ribs too!! Thank you Alex!! It is super flavorful!