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    Home » Main Dishes

    Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

    Published: Jul 6, 2015 · Modified: Aug 5, 2020 by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    These Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs will become your go-to recipe! You just need three ingredients for these falling-off-the-bone ribs. Make them for the 4th of July, potlucks or any weekday!

    Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs on a plate with dressing brush

    I've had this one in my arsenal for years. Besides being a family favorite, it's probably the simplest, no-brainer, almost-no-effort meal I make.

    These super easy, slow cooker BBQ ribs really don't require a recipe. It's more of a method. You can probably memorize it by the time you're done reading this post.

    They're even easier than these Cheesy Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts.

    Are you ready?

    In the morning, spray your slow cooker (or use those liners I always forget to buy!) Open your packages of half-slab pork ribs and sprinkle them with garlic powder.

    Place the ribs in the Crock-Pot standing up, with the meat side facing the walls of your cooker. (If your ribs are too tall to fit, cut the half slab in half again with kitchen scissors and lay some of the ribs down if needed.)

    overhead view of Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs and dressing brush on a plate

    Cover and cook the ribs on low, without sauce, for eight hours. (They can stay on warm after that for another three hours if necessary.)

    A half hour before they're done, transfer them to a platter and drain the liquid from your pot. Place the ribs back inside the slow cooker and add your favorite BBQ sauce.

    Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes.

    You'll be rewarded with saucy, falling-off-the-bone ribs that will make everyone smile. ("Smiles, Everyone. Smiles!")

    They'll think you put all kinds of effort into making this delicious meal. And you don't need to tell them otherwise.

    More slow cooker recipes

    • Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork
    • Shredded Buffalo Chicken Nacho Salad
    • Slow Cooker Cauliflower-Cheese Soup

    More delicious pork recipes

    • Italian Meat Sauce with Country Ribs
    • Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
    • Glazed Pork Tenderloin
    • Pork Loin Roast with Rosemary and Garlic

    Enjoy!

    Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs on a plate with dressing brush

    Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

    Do yourself a favor and make these when you don't have time to fuss. They cook on low for eight hours and take just two minutes of prep in the morning, plus two minutes when they're almost done.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Go to Collections
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 4 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 4 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 599kcal
    Author: Mamma C

    Ingredients

    • cooking spray or slow cooker liners
    • 2 half-slabs of pork ribs (baby back or St. Louis, or one of each)
    • garlic powder
    • 14 ounces BBQ sauce (or use as much as you'd like)
    US Customary - Metric
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    Instructions

    • Spray a large slow cooker (if you have two slow cookers, use both) with oil or use the liners. Sprinkle the ribs with garlic powder. Place the ribs standing up, meat side facing the walls of the cooker.
    • Cover and cook on low for eight hours (they can stay on warm for another three hours if you aren't home to take them out). A half hour before they are ready (7 ½ hours into the process), transfer the ribs to a platter and drain the liquid from the pot into the sink.
    • Place the ribs back in the slow cooker and add your BBQ sauce. Cover and cook for the last 30 minutes on low.
    • Place the ribs on a platter (they will be falling off the bone). Serve with extra sauce from the slow cooker on the side. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days.

    Notes

    In my large, oval slow cooker, I can fit one half slab of baby backs and a half slab of St. Louis ribs, cut to fit. My taller, circular slow cooker can fit a half slab of St. Louis ribs standing up.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 599kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 758mg | Potassium: 480mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2.9mg
    Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

    (Recipe Source: Slightly adapted from a recipe I saw in an online forum about 12 years ago.)

    two photos of Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann

      June 06, 2022 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      These ribs are better than any I’ve roasted in the oven and they even brown nicely! Can’t believe how simple this recipe is for such an excellent result, used store brand organic barbecue sauce which was very good and the garlic powder. May cook a little less than the 8 hours as only cooked 1/3 rack. Thank you Momma C for best ever baby back ribs!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        June 07, 2022 at 8:51 am

        Hi Ann - You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed these ribs as much as we do!

        Reply
    2. LUCIA

      January 14, 2021 at 8:49 pm

      Any suggestion of something other than garlic powder. We have an allergy to garlic.

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 15, 2021 at 9:29 am

        Hi Lucia - You could use onion powder or just skip it.

        Reply
    3. David Medsker

      September 07, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      Just tried this tonight. I will never make ribs any other way going forward. 🙂

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        September 07, 2015 at 7:57 pm

        That's great to hear, David! Whenever I see other methods, I think, "I should try that sometime...Nah." It's just too easy this way. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser

      July 07, 2015 at 10:50 am

      Hi Andrea, we do love ribs BBQ'd! I made a new BBQ sauce this year-Orange-Jalapeno BBQ Sauce it is pretty good. Posted on TK! I love fall off the bone pork! Fingers gooey...Yes that's the one. Have a great week my friend. Cheryl

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        July 07, 2015 at 12:22 pm

        Did somebody say, "Orange-Jalapeno BBQ Sauce?" I need to check that out, Cheryl! Have a great week. 🙂

        Reply

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    I'm Andrea, also known as Mamma C. I share family-tested recipes from my Italian-American kitchen. I hope you'll visit often! Read More…

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