Slow Cooker Beef Back Ribs are tender, juicy, amazingly delicious, and easy to make! So simple, in fact, that this may become your new go-to rib dish. It is made with an easy homemade dry rub and your favorite BBQ sauce. You then cook it low and slow for maximum tenderness and ultimate flavor.
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📝Shopping list
This is a list of the ingredients you'll need to make this recipe. For quantities and full preparation instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Beef back ribs 3-4 lbs. You can buy them in a rack or already cut
- BBQ sauce Use your favorite kind.
- Liquid smoke This is optional, but it adds a nice smoky flavor
- Dry rub: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, mustard powder, pepper
💜Why you will love slow-cooking these ribs
- Set it and forget it recipe - these bone-tender ribs are perfect for busy days.
- Fall-off-the-bone tenderness - cooking beef back ribs with bbq sauce low and slow will ensure that they are tender and juicy.
- EASY! With just a few minutes of morning (or night before) prep, those easy recipe can cook all day. There is nothing better than coming home to a bbq beef ribs dinner that is ready to serve!
🎥Watch how to make it
Preparing Your Slow Cooker
Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent. Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings.
NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface. Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface. Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns.
Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.
Preparing Your Ribs
- For best results, remove the membrane from the back of your ribs. If they are in a rack, cut them into individual ribs
- Place ribs into a greased crock pot
- In a separate bowl, mix together all dry rub ingredients
- Generously coat the ribs with the dry rub
Get Cooking
- 🍖If you are using liquid smoke, shake a drop or two onto each rib
- 🍖Pour a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce over the spice-rubbed ribs
- 🍖Fill the BBQ sauce bottle with water and shake to mix in all remaining BBQ sauce. Pour that over the ribs as well
- 🍖If any part of your ribs are not covered with sauce, spoon sauce over them
- 🍖Cover and slow cook beef ribs on low for 8-10 hours. You can cook them on high for half the time, but low and slow will get you the best results.
- 🍖I never feel my ribs need it, but you can choose to add a caramelized, crispy outer layer. The easiest way is to toss them under the broiler or air fryer for a few minutes just before serving.
🍽Serving suggestions
These are the best slow cooker ribs! You will love them with:
- creamy coleslaw
- a side salad
- cornbread
- baked beans
- potato salad
- polenta
- crusty bread to soak up all the insanely delicious sauce!
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Storing
Store leftovers of this simple recipe in an airtight container or bag. They will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or several months if frozen.
😉Hints & hacks
- I like to purchase my ribs at a larger box store (like Costco) for the best price.
- Slow cooker beef ribs are great with your favorite barbecue sauce. You can even use a homemade bbq sauce if you prefer.
- Many slow cooker recipes suggest searing your ribs before adding them to your slow cooker. I am way too lazy. My recipe skips that step and it is delicious!
- Like all great beef recipes, this dish is perfect for busy nights. It can stay on the warm setting in your slow cooker. Perfect for when your people will be eating at different times.
- For easy meal prep, combine crockpot ribs and spices in a zipper-top bag and refrigerate overnight. The next day, Just toss it them into your slow cooker and go about your day!
- I am a huge fan of slow cooker liners. They are a great help with this particular recipe. If you use a liner, you can skip spraying your slow cooker with non-stick spray.
- In the market for a slow cooker? I love mine!
FAQ
Yes, but it is not easy. Ribs are done when they easily pull away from the bone. Slow cooking ribs much longer than 10 or so hours, will cause them to start to become tougher and dry out.
No, beef back ribs have less fat and are known to be a little more favorable. The best part is that there is a good amount of meat on these ribs. This crockpot recipe is the perfect recipe for a hungry crew.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Back Ribs
(Click on the stars to leave a rating)
Print Pin Rate SaveAll nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
- tongs
- mixing bowl and spoon
Ingredients
- 3 - 4 lbs beef back ribs
- 18 oz bbq sauce use your favorite
- water
- liquid smoke a few drops (optional)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- If you like, remove membrane from the back of the ribs. If ribs are in a rack, cut them into indiviual ribs
- Place 3 - 4 lbs beef back ribs into a greased slow cooker
- In a separate bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon mustard powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to form a dry rub
- Pat the dry rub mixture over all sides of each rib and then place them back into the slow cooker
- If using, sprinkle a few drops of liquid smoke over seasoned ribs
- Pour 18 oz bbq sauce over the ribs. Fill the BBQ sauce bottle with water and give it a good shake to mix. Pour this water mixture over the ribs as well.
- Use a spoon to make sure BBQ sauce is covering all areas of each rib.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- The meat should be falling off of the bone when you are ready to serve.
- OPTIONAL: If you like a crisp outer layer to your ribs, you can broil or air fry your amazing ribs for a few minutes just before serving.
Final Step
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Video
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
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