Slow Cooker Ribs

Name: Slow Cooker Ribs
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Yield: 4 - 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. brown sugar; 2 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper; 2 tbsp. kosher salt; 2 (3 pound) racks St. Louis-style pork ribs, patted dry and membrane removed.; 1 c. barbecue sauce, either homemade or store-bought.

These fall-off-the-bones ribs are far easier than you think!

By Christopher MichelPublished: Oct 16, 2023

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IAN PALMER for Country Living

Yields:

4 - 6 serving(s)

Prep Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs 30 mins

Looking for restaurant-quality ribs at home? It's easier than you think.

The secret is to use your slow cooker. Cooking the meat for a long time at low temperatures in a moist environment will get the rib meat super tender and flaky. Then all you have to do is slather it in your favorite barbecue sauce, and cook it for just a few minutes, either over a hot grill or under your oven's broiler.

Want to make this recipe ahead? You can wrap the ribs in foil after slow cooking, and store then in the fridge for up to 2 days. Then let them come back to room temp before cooking.

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Ingredients

2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. kosher salt
2 (3 pound) racks St. Louis-style pork ribs, patted dry and membrane removed.
1 cup barbecue sauce, either homemade or store-bought.

Directions

1. Step 1Combine sugar, pepper, and salt in a bowl. Apply rub to ribs, dividing evenly.
2. Step 2Arrange ribs vertically in the bowl of a 5 to 7 quart slow cooker or separate into sections and lay flat in the bottom of a 5 to 7 quart slow cooker. Cook until the meat is tender but the racks are not falling apart, 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 7 hours on low. (There is no need to add liquid to the slow cooker.)
3. Step 3Heat grill to medium-high or broiler to high heat with the grate about 5-inches from the heat source. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Remove ribs from slow cooker and arrange in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Brush with barbecue sauce, dividing evenly. Grill, meat side down or broil, meat side up until sauce is bubbling and caramelized, 4 to 6 minutes on the grill or 2 to 3 minutes under the broiler. Serve warm.