Crockpot Ribs

Crockpot Ribs

To me, ribs always seemed like a hard food to make.  I've heard of people slaving over their grills for hours.  I was not interested, I don't have the time or patience for that.  But my friend Heather Palmer made some amazing ribs and shared her secret with me and my family and I will forever be grateful.  These ribs wow a crowd!  I've made them for Christmas Eve dinner, formal dance dates, family get-togethers and Sunday dinners.  Everyone who has eaten my ribs rave about them.   Which is funny to me because they are one of my easiest meals.  Really. 

First you need to buy your ribs.  Don't get anything but pork baby back ribs.  They have smaller bones and more meat and are delicious period.  

Second, buy them from Costco.  

Notice the price?  You get 3 racks of ribs for approx. $30.  I usually buy them and keep them in my freezer until a party or special event.  I take them out of the freezer a day or two before I want to use them so they can thaw out first.  They need to be thawed before you make them.  You can cut the ribs in half or quarters right after you buy them and store them in the freezer if you prefer to cook smaller amounts at one time.  

Notice this price?   I bought this one at my local grocery store.  This is the price for 1 rack of ribs.  I think I got this one on a buy one get one free day.  Don't ever buy them for full price ever.

Now that you have your meat, open the thawed package and rinse the meat in your sink.  Why do I do this?  I don't know.  It just seems like a good thing to do to wash off any old slime and juice.  Make sure your sink is clear of dishes when you do this.  I also take a Chlorox wipe and wipe the sink and counter top down when I'm done making this dish or any meat dish.

Next, I pat the ribs dry with a paper towel and lay them on a cookie sheet for the dry rub action.

This is where you can get creative.  I grab all of the spices that I think will taste yummy on my ribs and sprinkle them on.  I like to purchase spices at Costco, better bang for your buck. I evenly sprinkle one side of the ribs with each one of these spices.  Don't just sprinkle some here or there.  Coat one side with the granulated onion , then the garlic powder, then the paprika etc... The only spice you should not over do is black pepper.  Too much black pepper is no bueno.  You will know you sprinkled too much pepper when those who eat your ribs start coughing....  Then, flip the rack over, wash your hands and do the same thing on the other side.  

If you can flip the ribs over not using your hands then no need to wash your hands.  But please don't touch the raw ribs and then touch your spices and back and forth.  Yuck!  Raw meat juices should never be spread around your kitchen, onto your faucet or spices.  

Once the ribs are coated in the dry rub, put them in your crock-pot with the bone side out (touching the sides of the crock-pot).  This will ensure the meat doesn't get a charred spot, don't ask me how I know this.  The rack of ribs will be curled in your crock-pot.  

You can fit 2 racks in a large crock-pot.  If you fill the crock-pot too full of ribs, it will take longer to cook, so keep that in mind.  I would not recommend doing more than 2 racks in one crock-pot. 

The last step is to generously drizzle your favorite BBQ sauce down the sides of each rib.  I squirt it on the edge and let it dribble down the sides, like a drip cake.  

We love Famous Dave's Hickory and Brown Sugar BBQ sauce.

Now, put a piece of tinfoil on top of the crock-pot and place the lid on top.  Cook on high for 6-8 hours or on low for 8-12 hours.  If you're cooking 1 rack of ribs it will take less time, 6 hours on high. Just know, you need to keep cooking them if the meat isn't falling off the bones.   

You will know your ribs are done when the meat easily separates from the bone.  If the meat doesn't come off the bone, cook them longer.  

Once the ribs are done, use tongs to take them out of the crock-pot and put them on a cookie sheet.  They will be falling apart and that's ok.  Just get them on the cookie sheet.  Once they're on the cookie sheet, squirt some more BBQ sauce on them (to your liking) and put them in the oven on broil.  Not too long, maybe 5 minutes.  Just to crisp them up a bit so they taste more like they just came off the grill. 

You can serve these ribs with your favorite BBQ sides like corn on the cob, corn bread, a green salad, coleslaw, mac n cheese and rolls.  

Best Rib Recipe

1-2 racks of ribs

BBQ Sauce

Dry Rub:

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Paprika

Black Pepper

Any spice you want

Rinse and pat ribs dry.  Evenly apply dry rub spices on both sides of the ribs.  Curl ribs into the crock-pot (bone side out).  Drizzle BBQ sauce on the top of the ribs.  Cover top of crock-pot in tinfoil and put the lid on.  Cook for 6-8 hour on high or 8-12 hours on low.  Once the meat will separate from the bone easily, take out of crock-pot and place on a cookie sheet.  Drizzle BBQ sauce on meat and put in the oven on broil for 5 min. to crisp.  Serve with your favorite BBQ sides like corn on the cob, garden salad and rolls.