Slow Cooker Ribs

If you’re like me, your slow cooker might gather a little dust during the summer. But let’s fix that right now with these melt-in-your-mouth baby back ribs. Trust me when I say, your slow cooker is a hot day hero just waiting to shine. These ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, bursting with smoky-sweet flavor, and taste like they spent hours on the grill. But here’s the kicker: you didn't have to spend one minute sweating over open flames in the summer heat, thanks to your trusty slow cooker. Pair them with ranch slaw, tangy pickles, and buttery cornbread, and you’ve got a backyard BBQ feast without the legwork.

What is the best type of ribs for the slow cooker?

I like baby back ribs for this recipe because they're naturally tender and become incredibly juicy as they cook low and slow. They're also smaller and less fatty than other types of ribs, such as country-style, so they won't become overly greasy.

Do you need to sear ribs before slow cooking?

Nope, just pop your seasoned ribs directly into the slow cooker. Then, once they're fully cooked, slather them in BBQ sauce and stick them under the broiler to get golden and caramelized. Be sure to keep a close eye on things, as broilers can get hot very fast.

Can you use store-bought BBQ sauce?

Sure, if you're short on time or have a favorite brand, you can skip the homemade sauce and coat the ribs in bottled BBQ sauce.