Slow-Cooker BBQ Baby Back Ribs


I have been doing a pretty good job with enlisting my slow-cooker at least once a week to help get a nice dinner ready for us.  We picked up 6 racks of pork baby back ribs a few weeks ago when one of our local stores had an amazing sale.

I have seen recipes for cooking ribs in the slow-cooker and just wasn't sure about trying it.  Partly, I wasn't interested in in ribs that were colorless and without a crusty glaze.  Then I realized that, just like slow-cooker wings, they could be finished up under the broiler.  Brilliant!

So, we tried them and they turned out delicious.  Moist and flavorful, and the best part - throw them in and forget about them.  What I will say is it is important to remember to put a rub on these for 10-24 hours prior to cooking to help impart flavor.  Because the slow-cooker basically steams these, any less than that and the flavor doesn't permeate the meat.  Other than remembering this little piece, they are an easy peasy and delicious meal.

One quick note about the photo below.  No, that's not the typical boxed mac & cheese.  I keep a cheese powder on hand {found here} to mix up quick mac & cheese when I don't have a lot of time for a side.  Much more flavor than the boxed version!


Slow-Cooker Baby Back Ribs
makes:  1 rack ribs

1 rack pork baby back ribs
1/4 cup BBQ Rub {we use the BBQ Rub featured in this post}
1 cup BBQ Sauce {such as our Strawberry-Chipotle BBQ Sauce}

10-24 hours prior to cooking the ribs, rub the BBQ rub all over the ribs, set in a dish or on a cookie sheet and cover with wrap.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Remove any wrap from the ribs and set ribs in the slow-cooker, putting them on their side and wrapping them around the cooker.  If they are too tall, you can also cut the rack up into 3 pieces and lay them, meaty side down, in the bottom and around the sides of the cooker.

Cook on low for 4 - 4 1/2 hours, or until very tender.  Remove from the cooker and lay, meaty side up, on a baking sheet.  Preheat broiler.  Brush BBQ sauce on the ribs and put under the broiler, watching closely, until browned.

Remove and serve with sauce on the side.





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2 comments

  1. Baby back ribs are one of our favorites here at our home. I have a hard time finding them in the stores around here in the winter though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ribs are definitely my weakness. OMG do these look good!

    ReplyDelete

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