Description
Tender and flavorful baby back ribs slow-cooked to perfection with a smoky dry rub, then finished under the broiler with a tangy BBQ sauce glaze. This slow cooker recipe ensures fall-off-the-bone ribs with minimal effort, perfect for a delicious and easy meal for family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Rub
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- 1½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Main
- 3 racks baby back ribs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Rub: In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder until well combined. Set this spice mixture aside to use as the rub for the ribs.
- Season the Ribs: Remove the thin membrane from the back side of each rack of ribs to allow better seasoning absorption and tenderness. Cut each rack in half for easier fitting in the slow cooker. Generously coat both sides of the ribs with the prepared dry rub, pressing it into the meat.
- Slow Cook the Ribs: Arrange the rib halves vertically in a 6-quart slow cooker, placing the larger cut side down with the bones facing down and the meat side facing out. Cover and cook on the low setting for 6 to 7 hours until the ribs are tender and fully cooked.
- Broil to Finish: Once cooked, carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet. Brush the ribs evenly with the BBQ sauce. Place the baking sheet under a preheated broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the BBQ sauce becomes bubbly and caramelized. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the ribs hot with additional BBQ sauce on the side if desired. Enjoy the tender, smoky, and flavorful baby back ribs!
Notes
- Removing the membrane from the ribs enhances texture and allows flavors to penetrate better.
- If your slow cooker is smaller, you can cut the ribs into smaller pieces to fit better.
- You can customize the BBQ sauce to your preference, choosing spicy, sweet, or smoky variants.
- Broiling at the end creates a nice caramelized finish, but watch closely to avoid burning the sauce.
- Leftover ribs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
