Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Should ribs be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

Don't worry that the ribs go into the slow cooker without liquid; the heat is gentle enough that the ribs do not burn, and the meat releases liquid as it cooks, so it braises in its own spiced juices. (You could also make these ribs in a pressure cooker by following this recipe.)

Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or on LOW for 7-9 hours OR cook until ribs are fall apart tender. Rotate ribs once during cooking so they cook evenly. Cooking time may vary between slow cookers.

Though they were all delicious ribs, the slow cooker definitely turned out the most tender meat. The baked ribs came in a close second, still with falling off the bone, succulent meat but just not quite as tender as the slow cooker ribs.

Can You Slow Cook Ribs Too Long? Yes, just like oven baked ribs, if you leave them in the crockpot for too long they can become dry and tough. This will likely not happen, but it is possible. So just use the timer on your crockpot if it has one or set your own.

You may, if desired, spritz or mop your ribs while smoking with a liquid of your choice. Apple juice or cider, butter, Dr. Pepper, apple cider vinegar, beer… there are plenty of options.

Ribs that aren't tender are usually a result of undercooking. All slow cookers vary a bit, so keep an eye on things and test for doneness. When you can easily twist the bones around inside the meat, your ribs are done!

Place ribs bone-side down in smoker at 225 F /110 C and cook for three hours. Remove ribs from the smoker and wrap tightly in aluminum foil to form an airtight seal. Return to the smoker bone-side up and smoke for two hours. Unwrap the ribs and return to the smoker bone-side down for one more hour.

One thing is certain about ribs and pork: If you overcook them, they do become dry and tough. There is something very important to learn with the “low and slow” cooking method employed here. Food is ready when it's ready. Not to be evasive, but for the most part, you cannot judge simply by cooking time.

You'll get a much better end product if you take it off. The membrane can be chewy or rubbery and prevents seasonings from penetrating the underside of the ribs. Luckily, the membrane is easy to remove. Removing it from your pork ribs is key to preparing great ribs for the BBQ, oven, slowcooker, etc.

Grill all the way

For ribs with incomparably smoky flavor, you have to cook them low and slow on the grill, adding more charcoal and wood chips every so often to keep the temperature steady.

Should I sear ribs before slow cooking? ›

Tips for Slow Cooking Ribs

Slow cooking ribs without searing them first just won't give you the results you're looking for. If you don't want to bake them, you could sear them in a pan, but I find baking them much easier and less of a hassle to clean up after.

Cooking in the Slow Cooker

The ribs don't need to swim in liquid, but they should be moistened well — a cup or two of liquid is sufficient, depending on the size of your cooker and the number of ribs.

When using a slower method like the grill, smoker, or oven, you'll need about 3-5 hours. Slower methods can be ready in as little as 30 minutes - however, keep in mind that the longer you cook your pork back ribs the more tender and succulent they'll be.

The secret to incredibly tender ribs is baking them low and slow. Baking ribs in the oven is so easy. 95% of the cooking time is spent relaxing while your ribs transform into fall-off-the-bone perfection.

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables.

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Pour the water, around, but not on top of, the pork. Scatter the garlic and onion around the pork. Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the meat is tender and can be easily shredded, 10 to 12 hours.

If your BBQ doesn't have a water pan, it is suggested to place a pan of water or apple juice in with the ribs. Smoke for 3 hours at around 210-225 degrees. Regularly spray your ribs with apple juice to keep your ribs from drying out.