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Crockpot Ribs with Sweet BBQ Sauce Recipe

4.9 from 60 reviews

Tender and flavorful crockpot pork ribs slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce with a blend of spices for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Ribs and Sauce

  • 1 rack back pork ribs
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
  • 2 tsp hickory liquid smoke (do not add more)
  • More Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce for serving

Spice Rub

  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp paprika

Instructions

  1. Remove Silver Skin: Carefully lift an edge in the middle of the ribs and peel off the silver skin in one piece to ensure tender results.
  2. Cut Ribs: Cut the rack of ribs into 4 equal sections for easier handling and even cooking.
  3. Mix and Apply Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, onion powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub this spice mix evenly all over the ribs using your hands.
  4. Place in Slow Cooker: Place the rubbed ribs into the slow cooker. Pour the water and hickory liquid smoke around the ribs (liquid smoke can alternatively be mixed into the rub). Then, pour the ½ cup BBQ sauce over the top of the ribs.
  5. Cook Ribs: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 4 hours until ribs are tender and cooked through.
  6. Optional Finishing: Brush ribs with warmed BBQ sauce before serving for extra flavor.

Notes

  • Can this be doubled?: Yes! Use two racks of ribs and double all ingredients except the liquid smoke. Cooking time remains the same. Keep the lid on the slow cooker for best results.
  • Other Cuts: You can use any pork ribs with this recipe. The cooking time remains consistent regardless of the cut.

Keywords: crockpot ribs, slow cooker ribs, BBQ ribs, sweet BBQ sauce ribs, tender pork ribs, easy slow cooker recipe