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!
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.)
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.
What to serve with BBQ ribs
These Crock Pot ribs go great with Stovetop Mac and Cheese, Steamed Corn on the Cob and Italian Bean Salad.
They're also perfect with Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans or Deviled Egg Potato Salad.
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!
Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
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)
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
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Slightly adapted from a recipe I saw in an online forum about 12 years ago.)
Ann
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!
Mamma C
Hi Ann - You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed these ribs as much as we do!
LUCIA
Any suggestion of something other than garlic powder. We have an allergy to garlic.
Mamma C
Hi Lucia - You could use onion powder or just skip it.
David Medsker
Just tried this tonight. I will never make ribs any other way going forward. 🙂
Mamma C
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. 🙂
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
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
Mamma C
Did somebody say, "Orange-Jalapeno BBQ Sauce?" I need to check that out, Cheryl! Have a great week. 🙂