Be sure to serve these with a side of Cornbread, Homemade Mashed Potatoes and Buttermilk Biscuits!
Slow Cooker Ribs
Nothing beats the taste of a nice, juicy rib that’s been perfectly rendered in the Slow Cooker for several hours. I’ve watched my good friend Pete make these ribs on several occasions, and recently, he let me in on his secrets to success. (Score!) -And now, you can reap the benefit. 😄 The dry rub adds a ton of flavor to the meat. The acidity from the Dijon mustard breaks down the fibers in the meat as it cooks, which makes it perfectly tender. Cooking it low and slow makes it fall off the bone, and finishing it in the oven or the grill caramelized the juicy BBQ topping. Let’s go over what you need, how to make it, how (and why) you remove the membrane, and more:
How to Make It
Remove the membrane (see section below for detailed instructions) and pat it dry. Cut each rack in half if they’re too long to fit in the Slow Cooker.
Massage the rub seasoning into the top and bottom.
2 racks baby back ribs, 4-5 pounds. Pork spare ribs may also be used. 1/3 cup Dijon mustard- The acidity helps to break down and tenderize the meat. 18 oz. barbeque sauce ½ cup chicken broth 1 yellow onion, sliced into quarters and separated 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Rub Seasoning
1 ½ teaspoons black pepper 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
Brush the top and bottom with Dijon mustard and the top with BBQ sauce.
Add the chicken broth to the Slow Cooker, stack the ribs on top and sprinkle the onions and garlic over it.
Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8.
To remove them from the Crock Pot: Slide a long sturdy spatula underneath one side and gently grip the other side with kitchen tongs. Carefully transfer them to a foil-lined baking sheet. (Bone side up for the oven, bone side down for the grill.) Brush generously with BBQ Sauce.
Oven: Preheat to a low broil at 450°. Grill: Preheat to medium at 350°.
Cook the ribs for 5 minutes. Flip and brush with BBQ Sauce. Cook for 5 more minutes.
Flip one more time, brush with sauce, bake for 5 minutes. Serve!
How to Remove the Membrane From Ribs
You don’t want to cook ribs with the membrane as it will create an unpleasant texture and hinder the tenderness of the meat. (Though technically it is edible.)
Look for a thin, shiny white surface on the bottom of the ribs. (Bone side.)
It’s best if you can find in on one of the ends as we can then lift it up from one end and pull it along the entire rack to remove it.
Slide a spoon or the blunt end of a knife underneath the membrane and lift it up. It may take a little patience but once you’ve done it, it’s easy to remove it from there.
Use a dry paper towel to grip the membrane and carefully pull it up and slide it off from the surface. Discard it.
What Kind of Ribs Are There
Pork Baby Back Ribs: This is what I used for this recipe. This variety is small and easy to hold. They do have more fat than other varieties but it cooks down nicely in the Slow Cooker. Pork Spare Ribs: These can be used in this recipe as well. They are longer in size and have less meat, but great taste. Saint Louis Style: These have the least amount of bone vs. the above varieties and are a belly cut. Country Style: These have the most amount of meat (enough so that you can eat them with a fork and knife), and least amount of fat. They’re cut from the shoulder.
How Many Ribs Per Person
When making ribs for family and friends, calculate 1/2 rack of ribs per person. It seems like a lot when they’re uncooked but the meat renders down significantly during the cooking process.
Instant Pot Method
Baby Back Ribs: Pressure cook on high for 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 5, then flip quick release valve. Proceed with adding BBQ sauce as outlined. Spare Ribs: Pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15. Proceed with adding BBQ topping as instructed.
Storage
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
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