Description
Tender and flavorful pork ribs slow-cooked to perfection with a homemade spice rub, then finished with a sticky barbecue sauce glaze. This easy slow cooker BBQ ribs recipe results in fall-off-the-bone meat with minimal effort, perfect for a satisfying and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Rub
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Meat and Sauce
- 3-4 pounds pork ribs (membrane removed)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper until well mixed.
- Season the Ribs: Cut the ribs into sections if needed to fit in your slow cooker more easily. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs to coat thoroughly.
- Arrange Ribs in Slow Cooker: Lightly grease a 4-quart slow cooker to prevent sticking. Arrange the ribs standing up around the edges with the meaty side pressed against the sides of the cooker.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the ribs are tender and falling off the bone.
- Finish with BBQ Sauce and Grill or Broil: Remove the ribs carefully from the slow cooker. Brush them generously with barbecue sauce. For extra flavor and texture, grill the ribs for 5 to 6 minutes or broil them for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce is sticky and caramelized. This finishing step is optional but highly recommended.
- Serve: Plate the ribs and serve hot, complemented by your favorite sides.
Notes
- These ribs use a simple homemade spice rub and are cooked low and slow for tender meat.
- Removing the membrane from ribs helps the spices penetrate and improves tenderness.
- The grilling or broiling step at the end adds a charred, sticky finish but can be skipped if desired.
- Use any barbecue sauce you prefer to customize your flavor profile.
- Perfect for easy entertaining or meal prep since they require minimal hands-on time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 476 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 545 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 167 mg
