Get my Cookbooks! Slow Cooker Ribs
These Slow Cooker Ribs are fall-off the-bone tender with a caramelized BBQ top! It starts with a flavorful rub that’s massaged into the meat. They’re then brushed with Dijon mustard that aids in rendering the meat to tender perfection. From there, it’s finished off with your favorite BBQ Sauce. It doesn’t get any better than this rib recipe!
Be sure to serve these with a side of Cornbread, Homemade Mashed Potatoes and Buttermilk Biscuits!
Slow Cooker Ribs
Nothing beats the taste of a nice, juicy rib that’s been perfectly rendered in the Slow Cooker for several hours. I’ve watched my good friend Pete make these ribs on several occasions, and recently, he let me in on his secrets to success. (Score!) -And now, you can reap the benefit. 😄
The dry rub adds a ton of flavor to the meat. The acidity from the Dijon mustard breaks down the fibers in the meat as it cooks, which makes it perfectly tender. Cooking it low and slow makes it fall off the bone, and finishing it in the oven or the grill caramelized the juicy BBQ topping.
Let’s go over what you need, how to make it, how (and why) you remove the membrane, and more:
Ingredients
The bottom of this post also contains recipe card with ingredients and full instructions.
- 2 racks baby back ribs, 4-5 pounds. Pork spare ribs may also be used.
- 1/3 cup Dijon mustard- The acidity helps to break down and tenderize the meat.
- 18 oz. barbeque sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 yellow onion, sliced into quarters and separated
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Rub Seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
How to Make It
Remove the membrane (see section below for detailed instructions) and pat it dry. Cut each rack in half if they’re too long to fit in the Slow Cooker.
Massage the rub seasoning into the top and bottom.
Brush the top and bottom with Dijon mustard and the top with BBQ sauce.
Add the chicken broth to the Slow Cooker, stack the ribs on top and sprinkle the onions and garlic over it.
Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8.
To remove them from the Crock Pot: Slide a long sturdy spatula underneath one side and gently grip the other side with kitchen tongs. Carefully transfer them to a foil-lined baking sheet. (Bone side up for the oven, bone side down for the grill.) Brush generously with BBQ Sauce.
Oven: Preheat to a low broil at 450°. Grill: Preheat to medium at 350°.
Cook the ribs for 5 minutes. Flip and brush with BBQ Sauce. Cook for 5 more minutes.
Flip one more time, brush with sauce, bake for 5 minutes. Serve!
How to Remove the Membrane From Ribs
You don’t want to cook ribs with the membrane as it will create an unpleasant texture and hinder the tenderness of the meat. (Though technically it is edible.)
Look for a thin, shiny white surface on the bottom of the ribs. (Bone side.)
It’s best if you can find in on one of the ends as we can then lift it up from one end and pull it along the entire rack to remove it.
Slide a spoon or the blunt end of a knife underneath the membrane and lift it up. It may take a little patience but once you’ve done it, it’s easy to remove it from there.
Use a dry paper towel to grip the membrane and carefully pull it up and slide it off from the surface. Discard it.
What Kind of Ribs Are There
- Pork Baby Back Ribs: This is what I used for this recipe. This variety is small and easy to hold. They do have more fat than other varieties but it cooks down nicely in the Slow Cooker.
- Pork Spare Ribs: These can be used in this recipe as well. They are longer in size and have less meat, but great taste.
- Saint Louis Style: These have the least amount of bone vs. the above varieties and are a belly cut.
- Country Style: These have the most amount of meat (enough so that you can eat them with a fork and knife), and least amount of fat. They’re cut from the shoulder.
How Many Ribs Per Person
When making ribs for family and friends, calculate 1/2 rack of ribs per person. It seems like a lot when they’re uncooked but the meat renders down significantly during the cooking process.
Instant Pot Method
- Baby Back Ribs: Pressure cook on high for 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 5, then flip quick release valve. Proceed with adding BBQ sauce as outlined.
- Spare Ribs: Pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15. Proceed with adding BBQ topping as instructed.
What to Serve This With:
Other Sides:
- Cornbread
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Corn Casserole
- Texas Roadhouse Rolls + Honey Butter
- Green Bean Casserole
More Side Dish Recipes
Storage
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Try These Next
-
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
-
- Chicken Stroganoff
-
- Salisbury Steak
-
- Baked Meatballs
-
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
-
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
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Slow Cooker Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs, 4-5 pounds total
- 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
- 18 oz. barbeque sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 yellow onion, sliced into quarters and separated
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Dry Rub
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine seasoning ingredients and set aside.
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. (See process shots in post.)
- Use a sharp Chef’s knife and carefully cut each rack in half if they’re too long to fit in the Crock Pot. Pat them completely dry.
- Massage the rub seasoning into the front and back of the ribs. Use a pastry brush to coat the top and bottom of the ribs with Dijon mustard. The acidity in the mustard helps break down the fibers in the meat for extra tender results.
- Finally, Brush the tops with BBQ Sauce (don’t use all of the BBQ sauce) and clean pastry brush after use.
- Add the chicken broth to the Crock Pot and stack the ribs on top. Sprinkle the onions and garlic around it.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8.
Finish them in the Oven: (See section below for grill)
- Preheat the oven to a low broil at 450 degrees.
- To remove them from the Crock Pot: Slide a long sturdy spatula underneath one side and gently grip the other side with kitchen tongs. Carefully transfer them to a foil-lined baking sheet, bone side up. Brush generously with the BBQ sauce and cook the ribs for 5 minutes.
- Flip the ribs, brush with sauce, cook for 5 more minutes.
- Flip one more time, brush with sauce, cook for 5 minutes. Serve!
OR Finish them on the Grill:
- Heat a grill to medium heat, (about 350 degrees).
- To remove them from the Crock Pot: Slide a long sturdy spatula underneath one side and gently grip the other side with kitchen tongs. Carefully transfer them to a foil-lined baking sheet, bone side down. Brush the tops generously with BBQ Sauce.
- Cook for 5 minutes, uncovered. Remove them and carefully flip. Brush with BBQ sauce and grill for 5 more minutes. Flip them one more time, brush with sauce, and grill for 5 more minutes. Serve!
Notes
Instant Pot Method
- Baby Back Ribs: Pressure cook on high for 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 5, then flip quick release valve. Proceed with adding BBQ sauce as outlined.
- Spare Ribs: Pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15. Proceed with adding BBQ topping as instructed.
Nutrition
I made this recipe for Sunday dinner. Husband said it was delicious. I have done this dry rub prior to finding your recipe. So the Dijon mustard was a nice touch. We had it with your recipe for macaroni salad and zucchini. Your internet page is fantastic. Oh, I drizzled some honey over the meat side bbq sauce then turned the oven grill on low for maybe 10 minutes 😋
Thanks so much for your support Lorna!💗 I love the drizzle of honey you included, a little bit of sweet is always my preference with ribs!
This slow cooker ribs recipe came out THE BEST ribs I’ve ever made . Very moist and soft.
Question : you mentioned the dijon mustard added acidity and made the ribs so tender. Would you recommend adding dijon mustard to your slow cooker pot roast recipe ? Thank you very much Stephanie !
I’m sooo happy to hear that Claire! I agree, I won’t make ribs any other way! 🙂 The Dijon does well in this recipe as it’s paired with BBQ sauce and the flavor profiles jive, but I don’t know that it would work as well with my Crock Pot Roast. An alternative option would be to deglaze the skillet that you use to sear the roast with some red wine, (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot), as that is acidic and the flavor profiles match really well. You could use 1/2 or even 3/4 of a cup, then transfer it to the slow cooker. I use a cup of red wine in my Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe and it’s just wonderful! 🙂
Hi Stephanie, I made these for a sunday dinner and invited my niece and her family (8 kids) my oldest grand nephew who is a very picky eater, (quote don’t like BBQ ribs) I asked him to try one from my plate, which he did, he ended walking off with my plate, and later asking for more. His 18th birthday is July 18, he’s already requested bbq ribs. i’m thinking making baby back and country style ribs.
Wow that’s amazing Daryl! winning over a picky eater is not easy!🙌 Thanks so much for the great review!