Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
Pork ribs rubbed with spices and cooked on low for 6 hours, then glazed with barbecue sauce under the grill. Four servings.
Photograph credit: slow cooker barbecue ribs by Maggie Hoffman · CC BY 2.0 · Flickr
Ribs are tough because they are made of hard-working muscle and a lot of connective tissue, and long, wet cooking breaks that down. The slow cooker gives the meat six hours to relax, and the ribs come out so tender they fall from the bone.
Pull off the membrane on the back first. It is a thin silvery skin that stays chewy however long it cooks. Slide a knife under it, grip with a paper towel and peel it away in one sheet.
Rub the spices into both sides, and cut the rack into sections that fit the pot. Stand the pieces upright round the side, curved, with a small cup of liquid at the base. Keep the meat above the liquid, so it steams and braises rather than boils.
Slow cooking makes ribs tender but pale. Brush with barbecue sauce, then grill for 5 to 8 minutes, until sticky and charred at the edges. Handle with care; they fall apart.
Quick Answers
How long does Slow Cooker Pork Ribs take to make?
About 6 hours 10 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 6 hours of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Slow Cooker Pork Ribs?
Remove the membrane for tender ribs. Stand the ribs upright so they do not sit in liquid. Grill briefly for a sticky finish. Lift them out carefully; they are very tender.
What should I serve with Slow Cooker Pork Ribs?
Coleslaw; Corn on the cob; Baked beans; Potato wedges.
How should Slow Cooker Pork Ribs be stored?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 180°C for 15 minutes.
Is Slow Cooker Pork Ribs suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is dairy-free and high-protein. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Slow Cooker Pork Ribs?
About 1075 kcal per serving, with 57 g protein, 25 g carbohydrate and 83 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.
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Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. Mix the sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder and pepper, rub all over and cut into sections.
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Pour the apple juice into the slow cooker and stand the ribs upright round the side.
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Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until tender. If your slow cooker runs hot, check at 5 hours.
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Heat the grill. Lift the ribs onto a tray, brush with the barbecue sauce and grill for 6 minutes until sticky.
A Few Pointers
- Remove the membrane for tender ribs.
- Stand the ribs upright so they do not sit in liquid.
- Grill briefly for a sticky finish.
- Lift them out carefully; they are very tender.
Pairs Well With
Coleslaw · Corn on the cob · Baked beans · Potato wedges
Leftovers and Storage
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 180°C for 15 minutes.
Nutrition per Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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