Description

This Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs recipe offers tender, flavorful ribs cooked low and slow for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The ribs are rubbed with a homemade spice mix, slow-cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender, and finished with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for a relaxed weekend meal, these ribs ensure a hands-off cooking process with delicious results.

Ingredients

Scale

Spice Rub

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons chili powder
3 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper

Main Ingredient

3-4 pounds pork ribs (membrane removed)

Finishing Sauce

½ cup barbecue sauce

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Instructions

Prepare Dry Rub: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to create a flavorful dry rub mixture.
Apply Rub to Ribs: Cut the ribs into sections if necessary to fit into the slow cooker. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs, coating them thoroughly for maximum flavor.
Arrange Ribs in Slow Cooker: Lightly grease a 4-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking. Stand the ribs upright around the edges so that the meaty side presses against the sides of the cooker, allowing even cooking.
Slow Cook Ribs: Cover the slow cooker and cook the ribs on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours, until the ribs are tender and falling off the bone.
Finish with Barbecue Sauce: Remove the ribs carefully from the slow cooker and brush them generously with barbecue sauce. For an extra sticky, caramelized finish, grill the ribs for 5 to 6 minutes or broil them for 2 to 3 minutes. This step is optional but highly recommended. Serve the ribs hot and enjoy.

Notes

Removing the membrane from the ribs ensures better tenderness and flavor absorption.
Cutting the ribs into sections helps them fit better in the slow cooker and cook evenly.
The optional grilling or broiling step adds a nice caramelized glaze, but ribs are delicious even without it.
Use any favorite barbecue sauce to customize the flavor.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.