Description
This Festive Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs recipe delivers tender, flavorful pork ribs cooked to perfection with a delicious homemade BBQ rub and sauce. Slow cooking ensures the meat is juicy and falls off the bone, making it an ideal dish for a comforting family meal or festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Ribs
- 3 to 3½ pounds pork baby back ribs (3.25 lbs recommended)
BBQ Rub
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
BBQ Sauce
- 2½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand, divided into 2 cups and ½ cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ribs: Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the baby back ribs for tenderness. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels to help the rub adhere better.
- Mix the BBQ Rub: In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, onion powder, freshly cracked black pepper, and cumin. Mix well to create a balanced, flavorful rub.
- Apply the Rub: Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the BBQ rub, pressing it into the meat to ensure even coverage for maximum flavor.
- Place Ribs in Slow Cooker: Coil the ribs and place them inside the slow cooker, stacking if necessary but avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Ribs: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the ribs are tender and cooked through.
- Prepare for Saucing and Broiling: Once done, carefully remove ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Brush with BBQ Sauce: Brush 2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce evenly over the ribs. Reserve the remaining ½ cup for serving.
- Broil the Ribs: Place the ribs under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely, until the sauce is caramelized and bubbly. This step adds a smoky finish and slight crispness.
- Serve: Remove ribs from the oven, let rest for a few minutes, then slice between the bones. Serve with the reserved ½ cup BBQ sauce on the side for extra dipping.
Notes
- Removing the silver skin membrane greatly improves tenderness.
- For more intense smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the rub or BBQ sauce.
- Slow cooker times may vary; check ribs for tenderness before finishing under the broiler.
- If you don’t have a broiler, you can finish ribs on a hot grill for 3-5 minutes to caramelize sauce.
- Use oven mitts and stay close when broiling to prevent burning the BBQ sauce.
Keywords: baby back ribs, slow cooker ribs, BBQ ribs, slow cooked pork ribs, tender ribs recipe, holiday ribs