Crockpot Ribs are an easy way to make the most delicious pork ribs for any occasion. This slow cooker ribs recipe is so simple! You can cook these crockpot BBQ ribs stress-free, and they’ll come out super tender and flavorful. Find out how to cook fall-off-the-bone ribs in a crockpot, and serve them on game day, at BBQs, or at any get-together that needs a delicious dish.
Slow Cooker Ribs
- Versatile. This crockpot recipe works with both baby back ribs and spare ribs, bone-in or boneless, so the choice is up to you.
- Easy. This method is a super easy way to slow cook ribs. Prep time is short, and the rest of the cooking time is totally hands-off. You can set it and forget it for most of the day.
- Flavorful. We use a mix of paprika, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to make the dry rub seasoning for these ribs. Combine that with BBQ sauce and you’ve got some tasty ribs!
How to Make Crockpot Ribs
Here is a quick summary of how to make crockpot ribs. You can find details, tips, and ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Set your crockpot to low and spray with nonstick spray.
- Remove the silver membrane from the ribs.
- Whisk together the spices to make the spice rub, then rub evenly over the ribs.
- Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and place them coiled sideways in the crockpot, then pour the remaining BBQ sauce over the ribs.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
- Serve with more BBQ sauce or cook down the remaining juices from the slow cooker in a saucepan to serve with the meat.
Variations on Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
You can use just about any kind of BBQ sauce in this recipe, from St. Louis to Carolina gold to Alabama white. If you’re using a sweeter BBQ sauce, I recommend adding in some apple cider vinegar to help balance out the flavor. And if you’re looking for a slightly different flavor, try my pork dry rub recipe!
The silver skin/membrane on the back of the ribs will make them super tough and rubbery when cooked. It also acts as a shield and will prevent seasonings from fully penetrating the meat (and we want them to be well-seasoned!). So you absolutely want to remove it.
To keep these ribs from drying out, we cook them low and slow! I do not recommend attempting this recipe on high heat.
Yes, it is possible to overcook ribs, which would turn the meat into mush. Cooking them on the low setting is ideal to prevent this from happening. Just check on them regularly towards the end for doneness.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot ribs tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat wrapped in foil in a pan in a 250°F oven until the ribs reach an internal temperature of 130-140°F.
How to Freeze
Freeze crockpot ribs tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
No matter when you serve these, make sure you add in some Cheesy Texas Toast, BBQ Baked Beans, Creamy Homemade Coleslaw, Instant Pot Potato Salad, or a Perfect Baked Potato. You can’t go wrong with some Cornbread either!
5-Star Review
“I stumbled across your recipes today & figured why not give it a try? These were not only amazing & melt in your mouth, but my new go-to fav!!” -Kayti Funken
Thanks for delicious ribs
So glad you enjoyed them!
Really enjoyed this recipe! Cut in half for a smaller rack.
We’re so glad to hear you loved it, Stephanie!
Thanks i impressed my bf after making this dish.
Waiting for related recipes
So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Can you do just 3lbs. ?
Yes, just halve the recipe!
Should the ribs marinade overnight prior to placing in crock Pot?
No need!
I put an entire, peeled, Vidalia onion in the center of the circle of the ribs! Wow!
That sounds delicious, Sally! Thanks so much for sharing!
I stumbled across your recipes today & figured why not give it a try? These were not only amazing & melt in your mouth, but my new go-to fav!! Btw…. I read your bio & saw you’re from St. Louis?? Two words… GO CARDS!!! Whoop!! Whoop!! I had to shout-out to you, beings I spent most of my childhood in STL & now I don’t live far from there!! So yeah… thanks for your recipe!! (And Go Cards!!!)
Yay! We’re so happy to hear you loved it! Go Cards!!
These ribs were delicious – fell off the bones when taking out of the Crockpot!
So happy to hear they were a hit, Barbara!
I’m always looking for different ways to cook ribs, besides the way I do mine, which is very similar to here. I am a big fan of cooking ribs in the crockpot; they come out tender, and when done, I will transfer them to a pan, add my bbq sauce on top, and broil for about 5 minutes. But I like using the St. Louis pork rib pack; you can buy them by the pound at Safeway, I cut the ribs to fit in the crockpot; I just use McCormicks sweet and smoky rub on the ribs, and add garlic salt, pepper and liquid smoke to the crock pot; I also add a little water and coca cola; cook on high about 4 hours; then take the ribs out, put on a cookie sheet, put sweet rays sweet and spicy bbq sauce on top, and broil for about 4 minutes. Ribs come out amazing!
Can I use BOTH boneless and bone-in ribs in this recipe…at the same time?
They will cook at different rates, so we would add the boneless later in the cook!