Description
These slow cooker baby back ribs are tender, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone delicious. The ribs cook low and slow in a crockpot with simple seasonings and aromatics, then are coated with barbecue sauce and finished in the oven to caramelize the sauce for the perfect sticky, flavorful crust. A simple, fuss-free weeknight meal that will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Ribs and Seasoning
- 3 pounds baby back ribs, trimmed
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Slow Cooker Base
- ½ cup water
- ½ onion, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Finishing Sauce
- 1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the ingredients needed for the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Season Ribs: Season the baby back ribs evenly with salt and ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Pour ½ cup water into the slow cooker, then place the ribs inside. Scatter the sliced onion and minced garlic over the ribs for added aroma and taste. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Slow Cook Ribs: Cook the ribs in the slow cooker on Low for 8 hours or on High for 4 hours, until the meat is tender and starting to fall off the bone.
- Preheat Oven: When the ribs are almost done, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to prepare for the finishing step.
- Transfer and Sauced Ribs: Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker onto a baking sheet. Discard the onions and garlic. Generously coat the ribs with barbecue sauce to create a sticky glaze.
- Bake Ribs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the sauced ribs for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the barbecue sauce caramelizes and forms a delicious crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the ribs from the oven and serve hot. Enjoy the tender, flavorful ribs with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can use your favorite homemade barbecue sauce instead of store-bought.
- Cooking times may vary based on your slow cooker model; adjust accordingly.
- Make sure to discard the onion and garlic before baking, as they can burn in the oven.
- To store leftovers, keep ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat ribs gently in the microwave or on the stovetop to preserve tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
