Crockpot BBQ Ribs – Break out your slow cooker for these easy, fall-apart, baby back ribs! Made with a homemade rub, sliced onions, and barbecue sauce, these are seriously finger-lickin’ good!
This is going to be a kinda photo-heavy post today, my friends. I just couldn’t help myself. I looooooooved photographing these yummy ribs, and when it came time to narrow down my photo choices, I became terribly indecisive. So… more is better, right?!
This all starts out with an amazing homemade rub. We use it all the time in our house, especially when my hubby is cooking up something good on his Big Green Egg. He uses it when he smokes a pork butt, which I later use to make Brunswick Stew. Major YUM, by the way!
The rub recipe comes from an awesome cookbook called Smoking Meat that my hubby received as a gift from my sister and brother-in-law. I adjust the spice level a bit, since the full amount of cayenne makes it a bit spicier.
It makes a TON of rub, which is nice, because I just store it in a container and pull it out anytime I need to season some meat for barbecuing or grilling. You can always halve or quarter the recipe if you don’t want to have a lot left over. Though, I bet you will like it and want to have more!
I love to slice ours up and serve it with the onions and leftover sauce from the crockpot. It’s SO GOOD! But if you’re not big on onions, you can totally leave them out. Or you can just use them for flavoring the meat while it cooks, and then remove them when it’s time to eat. Totally flexible. 🙂
Enjoy! 🙂
Crockpot BBQ Ribs
Break out your slow cooker for these easy, fall-apart, baby back ribs! Made with a homemade rub, sliced onions, and barbecue sauce, these are seriously finger-lickin’ good!
Ingredients
Barbecue Rub (makes a TON; I store and use the leftover rub in other recipes):
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup paprika
- 2 Tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons lemon pepper
- 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons onion powder
- 1 Tablespoons cayenne pepper
Ribs:
- 3-5 pounds of baby back ribs
- 1/2 large onion, sliced
- 2-3 cups your favorite barbecue sauce
Instructions
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Combine rub ingredients and mix well. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for later use.
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Liberally sprinkle all sides of the ribs with the rub and push it into the meat. Place ribs in the crockpot, standing up, with the meaty side against the wall of the crockpot. Place sliced onions in the open center of the crockpot. Pour barbecue sauce over both sides of the ribs.
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Cook ribs for 4 hours on high heat, or for 6-7 hours on low. Slice ribs and serve with onions and sauce from crockpot. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Rub recipe adapted from Smoking Meat
Marie says
These ribs look absolutely mouthwatering delicious! I love the addition of tender onions. Thanks for sharing.
Mirlene says
I am drooling here! recipes like this just screams home and comfort to ,e. I am making this on Sunday for dinner. Thanks for the idea!
Noelle Simpson says
I will never turn down a crock pot recipe! This was amazing, loved all the flavors!
Beth Neels says
These turned out so delicious! Like you said they fall right off the bone! We loved the flavor of the rub and the additions of the onions! The sauce was a little sweet with just the right amount of heat! Thanks for a great dinner!
Holly McCarthy says
I like using the slow-cooker for recipes like this. I must admit, I had to research what your was husband’s big green egg. I hadn’t heard of that before. It’s a big, green grill. Thought I was out of the loop!
Gabi says
I have not tried this recipe yet, but it sounds awesome! Only question I have is there a particular brand of BBQ sauce that you recommend?
Ashlyn says
Hi Gabi! I love Sweet Baby Ray’s!
Veena Azmanov says
I am already drooling with the look of this tasty and amazing dish. This dish will surely surprise the Family.
Jacqueline Debono says
These ribs look finger licking good. Great you can make them in a slow cooker! Like you I’d eat them with the onions too!
Nathan Wyper says
Ribs in the slow cooker? …Yes Please! They sound absolutely amazing, can’t wait to give them a go!
Cliona Keane says
Oh WOW! I want to eat this through my screen! These ribs are calling to me on so many levels. I’m going to have to get cooking this weekend I think!
Natalie says
WOW these ribs look absolutely dreamy! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Andi@wearychef.com says
I don’t blame you for not being able to resist photos of these ribs. They are gorgeous! I need to try your rub too.
Ashlyn says
Thank you so much, Andi!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
mercy! These ribs are the only thing my husband will request once we make them!
Ashlyn says
They are definitely a man-approved food! 😉
Nutmeg Nanny says
Making ribs in the slow cooker are my favorite! They always turn out so tender and totally delicious.
Ashlyn says
I know! Just love that slow cooker. 🙂
Sonia says
Oh my goodness!this looks super delicious and inviting… definitely going to try this soon!
Lily Lau says
Why these have to be photos and not my real lunch? Hahah, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ashlyn says
Haha thank you, Lily!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
These are making my mouth water! I need to surprise my hubby with these!
Ashlyn says
Yes! I bet he would love them, Jaren!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
These ribs are calling my name. They looks so juicy and delicious! I love the homemade rub too. That’s awesome!! 😉
Ashlyn says
You’re the best, Cyndi! Thank you!
Sherri@the Well floured kitChen says
I never thought to make ribs in the crock pot- but these look finger- licking good! Love all the spices in that rub too!
Ashlyn says
Thank you, Sherri!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
Oh my goodness. I NEED to make ribs in the slow cooker. . .like NOW. These look lip-smackin’ incredible. I love that you can see the onion on the top. YUM!
Ashlyn says
Thank you, Sara! And YES the onion is SO GOOD!
Kate @ Diethood says
I’m always happy to break out the slow cooker and would absolutely do that for these beautiful ribs! My mama will be proud!
Ashlyn says
Haha! I bet she would be, girl! 🙂