Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs that are fall off the bone tender and delicious, made with a Memphis style rub and easy homemade BBQ sticky sauce!
Slow cooking is a really great way to cook baby back ribs!
For my recipe, which I’ve slightly adapted from the BBQ Bible book, I used my slow cooker and didn’t add any liquid. Then, my homemade BBQ sauce is brushed onto the ribs and they are finished under the broiler for just a few minutes.
How to Cook Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
This method produces a wonderful sticky, lip smacking, rib, which would almost rival ribs cooked over charcoal, but doesn’t require constant attention while it cooks!
- First make sure you have removed the membrane from the back of the ribs. This is very easy to do and there are lots of videos available if you’re still not sure what you are doing.
- Are your spices relatively new? If they’ve been languishing in the back of your pantry for a couple of years they they will lose a lot of flavor, so it may be time to restock so that you have an awesome tasting Memphis rub for your ribs.
- Don’t overcook the ribs – you want the ribs to be just cooked but not totally falling apart or you’ll have a hard time moving them onto the pan to broil on the BBQ sauce.
- Don’t skip the homemade BBQ sauce! Unless you are really short of time, this will transform your ribs from good to great! The recipe is really, really, easy to make, you simply add all the sauce ingredients to a pan and simmer for 1-2 hrs while the ribs are cooking. The sauce will eventually reduce leaving you with a lovely homemade sticky BBQ sauce.
What are Memphis Style Ribs?
I live in Mississippi and Memphis Style Ribs are very popular around these parts, so that’s what we’re aiming for today!
Memphis “Dry” ribs, which are usually pork, are covered with a rub consisting of salt, paprika and a variety of other spices, then cooked in the dry rub, rather than in sauce (although you can cook it in the sauce too..) Think more rub, and a lot less sauce than some other styles of BBQ.
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How do I cook Baby Back ribs in the Oven?
Line a large sheet pan with foil, then add the ribs (already covered in the rub). Preheat the oven to 300F and when it comes to temperature, add the ribs to the center rack.
Bake for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours for spare ribs, or 1 1/2 to 2 hours for baby back ribs.
Then add the BBQ sauce and broil as directed in the recipe.
More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes!
I have a lot more dinner recipes I know you’ll love, so don’t leave until you’ve had a chance to take a look at them!
First up is my Southern Chicken Salad. It can double up as a quick lunch, or you can serve it as a main course with a couple of sides.
I do love Lemon Pepper Chicken, but my recipe is made from scratch with a few spices and some fresh lemon zest, it packs a real flavor punch!
Then lastly what about some Authentic Jerk Chicken? I made this recipe after a trip to the Caribbean last year and it really is delicious!
Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Slightly adapted from the BBQ Bible book.
Ingredients
- 4 - 6lb lb Baby Back Ribs
BBQ SAUCE
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce
MEMPHIS RUB
- 1/4 cup Paprika , 4 tbsp
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
- 1.5 tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1.5 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1.5 tsp mustard powder
- 1.5 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
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Please watch my short recipe video!! It's right below the recipe directions.
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Add all the ingredients for the Memphis dry rub to a bowl and mix well to combine.
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Make sure you have removed the silver membrane from the back (rib side) of the Baby Back Ribs. You can do this by inserting a table knife under the membrane at one end of the ribs to lift and loosen the membrane
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Then, using a paper towel to grip the membrane, slowly peel it back off the ribs. Sometimes it will come off in one long piece, and sometimes it will break apart, so you'll need to do it in pieces.
If you're still not sure how to do this, there are lots of videos on google that will show you how.
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I cut my ribs into two large pieces so that they would fit in the slow cooker.
Generously rub the spice rub mixture onto both sides of the ribs, there may be some rub left over.
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SLOW COOKER RIBS - Add the ribs on their side to your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3-5hrs, check them after 4hrs, they may be done already.
Or, cook on low for 7-9hrs.
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While the ribs are in the slow cooker you can go ahead and add all the BBQ sauce ingredients to a pan. Stir to mix them well, then simmer for about 1.5 hrs, or until the sauce has reduced significantly and thickened up.
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Once the ribs are cooked very carefully remove them to a foil lined baking sheet, and turn your broiler on high.
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Using a silicone basting brush, brush on a generous amount of the BBQ sauce onto each side of the ribs
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Put the ribs under the broiler - not too close or they will burn - and broil for about 3-4 minutes per side and the sauce is good and sticky.
Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
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OVEN BAKED RIBS - Line a large sheet pan with foil, then add the ribs (already covered in the rub). Preheat the oven to 300F and when it comes to temperature, add the ribs to the center rack.
Bake for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours for spare ribs, or 1 1/2 to 2 hours for baby back ribs.
Then add the BBQ sauce and broil as directed above.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts - these are approximate for four servings, and are calculated assuming 4lbs of baby back ribs.
The nutrition calculator also assumes each person will consume 1/4 of the BBQ sauce, (to serve 4 people) but that's unlikely.
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