Cooking Ribs: Bbq Sauce & Crockpot Magic

Cooking ribs in a crockpot is a great way to make delicious, tender, and juicy ribs without the hassle of grilling or smoking. This method is perfect for busy cooks who want a set-it-and-forget-it meal that can be prepared ahead of time and slow-cooked to perfection. With just a few simple steps and a handful of ingredients, you can make mouth-watering ribs that will impress your family and friends.

Prep the ribs

Step 1: Remove the membrane

Using a sharp knife, remove the silver skin or membrane from the back of the ribs. This is not essential, but removing it improves flavour absorption and results in juicier ribs. To do this, slide a fork or a blunt knife under the membrane at one end of the rack and lift it away from the bone. Once it begins to tear, grab hold of the edge and pull it off.

Step 2: Make the rub

Combine your chosen seasonings in a small bowl. Most recipes suggest salt and pepper, with some also including garlic powder, paprika, and brown sugar. Whisk the mixture until well blended.

Step 3: Apply the rub

Pat the ribs dry with paper towels, then coat the tops with the spice rub. You can apply this dry rub up to a day in advance—just keep the ribs covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook them.

Step 4: Prepare the barbecue sauce

In a separate bowl, mix together your barbecue sauce with a little apple cider vinegar. This adds a little extra acidity to the sauce, keeping the flavour nice and vibrant.

Step 5: Layer the ribs and sauce in the slow cooker

Place one half of the rack of ribs into the slow cooker. Cover with half of the barbecue sauce mixture. Add the second half of the ribs and cover with the remaining sauce. Pour a little water into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 6: Cook the ribs

Cook the ribs on a low setting for 7-9 hours for tender meat that falls off the bone. For softer but firmer ribs, cook on high for 3-5 hours.

Step 7: Broil the ribs

Once the ribs are cooked, transfer them to a baking sheet. Brush them with more barbecue sauce and place under the broiler for a few minutes until the sauce caramelises.

Step 8: Cut and serve the ribs

Cut the ribs into individual or manageable sections. You can also slice between the bones and serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Make a spice rub

Making a spice rub is an important step in the process of cooking ribs in a crockpot with BBQ sauce. The rub adds flavour and helps to tenderise the meat. Here is a guide on how to make a spice rub:

Firstly, gather your chosen spices. A simple and classic combination is paprika, brown sugar, salt and pepper. You can also add garlic powder for a more savoury note, or cayenne pepper for a hint of spice. If you want to enhance the sweetness, you can add more brown sugar. For a touch of heat, include some crushed red pepper flakes.

Next, combine your chosen spices in a small bowl. Mix them together thoroughly until they are well blended. You can also add a little olive oil to the mixture to help the spices stick to the ribs. However, this is optional.

Now you have your spice rub, it's time to apply it to the ribs. Use your hands to pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Then, take the spice rub and coat the tops of the ribs generously. Make sure you rub it in well, using your fingers to ensure it is applied evenly to both sides of the rack of ribs. If you have time, you can apply the rub up to a day in advance and keep the ribs covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.

Cook on low for 4-8 hours

Cooking ribs in a crockpot is a great way to get tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with minimal effort. After seasoning your ribs and adding your sauce, you can leave them to cook on low for 4-8 hours. This extended cooking time ensures that the connective tissue in the meat breaks down, creating a tender texture.

For baby back ribs, you'll want to cook them for around 4-6 hours. If you're looking for a chewier texture, you can take them out closer to the 3-hour mark. However, if you prefer your ribs to be fall-apart tender, aim for the full 6 hours or even a little longer.

For spare ribs, which are larger and meatier, you'll need to cook them for a bit longer—around 7-9 hours on low. This longer cooking time ensures that the tougher cut of meat becomes tender and juicy.

During the cooking process, the crockpot will fill your home with the mouth-watering aroma of barbecue pork. When the ribs are done, they should easily come away from the bone with a fork or your fingers.

Once the ribs are tender, you can transfer them to a baking sheet and finish them under the broiler for a few minutes to get a nice char and a caramelized sauce. This optional step adds a bit of crispness to the exterior of the ribs and further enhances the flavour.

So, the key to cooking ribs in a crockpot is to give them plenty of time to cook on low heat. This slow cooking method ensures juicy, tender ribs that your family and friends will rave about.

Broil for a few minutes

Once your ribs are done cooking in the crockpot, it's time to broil them in the oven for a few minutes to get that perfect caramelized finish. Here's a detailed guide:

Preparing the Ribs for Broiling:

• After your ribs have finished cooking in the crockpot, carefully remove them and place them on a baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
• The ribs will be very tender at this point, so use tongs and take your time to avoid having them fall apart.
• Generously brush the ribs with the remaining barbecue sauce, making sure to coat them evenly.

Broiling the Ribs:

• Preheat your oven to a high broil setting.
• Place the sauced ribs under the broiler, being careful not to let them burn.
• Broil the ribs for just a few minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as the exact time will vary depending on your oven. You want the sauce to caramelize and get a bit charred, but not burnt.
• If desired, you can brush the ribs with more sauce and return them to the oven for an additional few minutes.

Serving the Ribs:

• After broiling, remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing.
• Cut the ribs into individual portions or manageable sections.
• Serve the ribs hot from the oven, and provide extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping if desired.

Tips for Broiling Ribs:

• Some recipes suggest preheating the oven to 400°F (220°C) before broiling.
• Broiling the ribs is an optional step, but it adds a nice, thick caramelized glaze to your ribs.
• Be cautious when broiling, as some broilers run hotter than others. Keep a close eye on your ribs to avoid burning them.
• If you don't have an oven broiler, you can also finish your ribs on a grill for a few minutes to achieve a similar effect.

Cut and serve

Once your ribs are cooked, carefully transfer them to a baking sheet or tray. They will be very tender and prone to falling apart, so take your time and use tongs to handle them.

At this stage, you can choose to baste the ribs with some of the juices from the slow cooker or with barbecue sauce. If you want to add a bit of crispiness to your ribs, place them under a broiler or grill for 5-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning.

Once your ribs are ready, use a sharp knife to cut between the bones or cut the ribs into 2-rib sections for easier serving. Serve the ribs with the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions