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
Holly McCarthy says
November 14, 2018 at 12:47 pmI 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
November 14, 2018 at 9:47 amI 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
November 18, 2018 at 8:43 pmHi Gabi! I love Sweet Baby Ray’s!
Veena Azmanov says
November 14, 2018 at 5:24 amI am already drooling with the look of this tasty and amazing dish. This dish will surely surprise the Family.
Jacqueline Debono says
November 14, 2018 at 5:03 amThese 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
November 14, 2018 at 4:56 amRibs in the slow cooker? …Yes Please! They sound absolutely amazing, can’t wait to give them a go!
Cliona Keane says
November 14, 2018 at 4:08 amOh 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
November 13, 2018 at 11:55 pmWOW these ribs look absolutely dreamy! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Andi@wearychef.com says
April 21, 2015 at 3:58 amI 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
April 24, 2015 at 9:48 pmThank you so much, Andi!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
April 20, 2015 at 3:10 pmmercy! These ribs are the only thing my husband will request once we make them!
Ashlyn says
April 24, 2015 at 9:52 pmThey are definitely a man-approved food! 😉
Nutmeg Nanny says
April 19, 2015 at 5:44 pmMaking ribs in the slow cooker are my favorite! They always turn out so tender and totally delicious.
Ashlyn says
April 24, 2015 at 9:51 pmI know! Just love that slow cooker. 🙂
Lily Lau says
April 19, 2015 at 6:13 amWhy these have to be photos and not my real lunch? Hahah, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ashlyn says
April 24, 2015 at 9:51 pmHaha thank you, Lily!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
April 19, 2015 at 1:42 amThese are making my mouth water! I need to surprise my hubby with these!
Ashlyn says
April 24, 2015 at 9:51 pmYes! I bet he would love them, Jaren!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
April 17, 2015 at 7:15 pmThese ribs are calling my name. They looks so juicy and delicious! I love the homemade rub too. That’s awesome!! 😉
Ashlyn says
April 24, 2015 at 9:50 pmYou’re the best, Cyndi! Thank you!
Sherri@the Well floured kitChen says
April 17, 2015 at 5:00 pmI 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
April 24, 2015 at 9:50 pmThank you, Sherri!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
April 17, 2015 at 1:54 pmOh 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
April 24, 2015 at 9:49 pmThank you, Sara! And YES the onion is SO GOOD!
Kate @ Diethood says
April 17, 2015 at 10:26 amI’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
April 24, 2015 at 9:49 pmHaha! I bet she would be, girl! 🙂