Anybody else sick of cooking dinner? Try this easy recipe for crockpot babyback ribs. A complete and printable version of the recipe is located at the bottom of this post.
Minimal prep
I bought our ribs at Costco, where they come 3 racks to a pack. This recipe actually works best with two racks, rather than one. You could freeze the third one, and cook it another time.
Pat down the ribs. No need to cut off any of the membrane on the back. I did cut off some of the fat.
Generously oat the front and back of the ribs with a rub. You can buy a rub or make your own. I used this great one from Bobby Flay. It made just the right amount for two racks, front and back.
Place the racks in the crockpot, meat side against the side of the crockpot, with the meatier part towards the bottom of the pot. The racks will overlap, so wrap them like this:
Pour two cups of your favorite barbecue sauce of the ribs, coating front and back.
That picture was taken when I cooked one rack, rather than two. It sounds crazy, but they turn out better if you do two at a time. This came out a little more dry — but still really tasty. This picture does illustrate how to place the sauce.
Turn on the crockpot and forget about it
Cook the ribs for 6 or 7 hours on low. I cooked mine for 6 1/2, and they were juicy, tender, and falling-off-the-bone:
When they are cooked, gently lift out of the crockpot. Don’t be sad if they fall apart a bit, like mine did. Your family will still love them.
Once you have them out of the crockpot, pour the sauce in the crockpot into a sauce pan, and boil until it reduces and thickens.
One finishing step to make perfect
Place the ribs on a baking sheet covered with foil, on top of a wire rack. Brush the ribs with the reduced sauce, and broil for about 5 minutes to caramelize.
YUM! Enjoy!
Want other slow-cooker recipes?
Ingredients
- Two racks of babyback ribs
- Rib Rub
- Your favorite barbecue sauce (at least 2 cups)
Instructions
- Pat your ribs dry.
- Generously coat with rub.
- Place the ribs in your slow cooker, meaty side against the side of the crockpot. The ribs will overlap.
- Pour 2 cups of sauce of the ribs, getting on both the inside and the outside.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
- Cover a cooking sheet with aluminum foil and place a metal rack on it.
- Carefully lift out of the crockpot. They will be very tender, and may fall apart. No big deal.
- Place the ribs on the metal rack on the cooking sheet.
- Pour the sauce in the crockpot into a sauce pan. Boil until it is thickened and reduced. Brush on the ribs.
- Broil the ribs for about 5 minutes, to caramelize the sauce. Don't over cook!
- Cut into individual portions and enjoy.
