Description
Tender, flavorful baby back ribs slow-cooked to perfection in a rich barbecue sauce, then finished under the broiler for a caramelized, sticky glaze. This easy slow cooker BBQ ribs recipe delivers fall-off-the-bone tenderness with minimal effort, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ribs
- 2 racks pork baby back ribs (about 4 pounds total)
Seasoning Rub
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 cups barbecue sauce, divided
Instructions
- Remove membrane: Carefully remove the membrane from the back of the ribs using a knife or your fingers, then pat the ribs completely dry with paper towels to help the seasoning stick better.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful dry rub.
- Apply rub: Evenly rub the seasoning mixture over both sides of the ribs, pressing firmly into the meat to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
- Arrange ribs in slow cooker: Cut the racks if necessary to fit inside your slow cooker. Place the ribs inside in a single layer or stacked as needed.
- Add barbecue sauce: Pour 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce over the ribs, making sure they are well coated for moist, flavorful cooking.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, until the ribs are tender and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.
- Transfer to baking sheet: Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet for broiling.
- Brush and broil: Brush the ribs with the remaining 1/2 cup barbecue sauce and broil on high for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and turns slightly sticky, creating a delicious glaze.
Notes
- Removing the membrane ensures tender ribs and better seasoning penetration.
- Broiling at the end adds a wonderful caramelized finish that slow cooking alone cannot achieve.
- You can prepare the dry rub and ribs a day ahead and refrigerate for deeper flavor.
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce or homemade for customized flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook under the broiler to avoid burning the sauce.
