Slow Cooker Beef Back Ribs

Slow cooker beef back ribs is simple & hearty recipe that can be served year round. With only 3 ingredients, this beef rib recipe couldn’t be any easier. Meaty ribs cook until they are falling off the bone tender! Instructions to make this in Instant Pot are also included. 

Ingredients For Beef Ribs

There are only 3 ingredients needed for this easy slow cooker beef ribs recipe. 

• Beef Back Ribs
• Seasoning
• BBQ Sauce

How To Make Beef Ribs In The Slow Cooker

Prepare The Ribs

1. Rinse & pat dry your ribs.
2. Optional step to remove the membrane: place the ribs, meat side down, take a common butter knife and stick it between the membrane and the ribs. It should loosen fairy easily. Grab the membrane and simply pull it away. It should pull off fairly easily as well.
3. In small bowl, mix together the seasoning rub. Season all the ribs evenly & all over with the seasonings. Press the seasoning into the meat with your hands.

Slow Cooker

1. Add the prepared ribs to the slow cooker. Pour 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce on top, reserving 1/2 cup. 
2. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
3. Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker, they will be hot. Cover with remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce before serving. 
4. Optional last step: Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a foil lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheeting in the oven under the broiler. BROIL the ribs for a few minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the ribs are crisp to your liking.

Instant Pot

1. Pour 1 cup of water (or apple cider vinegar) into the Instant Pot.  Place the trivet into the bottom.
2. Add the prepared ribs to the pressure cooker on top of the trivet.
3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure for 35 minutes. When cooking time is complete, let the Instant Pot naturally release.
4. Carefully remove the ribs from the pressure cooker, they will be hot. Cover in the BBQ sauce before serving.
5. Optional last step: Place the beef ribs on a foil lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheeting in the oven under the broiler. BROIL the ribs for a few minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the ribs are crisp to your liking.

What Are Beef Back Ribs

Beef back ribs are ribs cut from the upper back of a cow. They’re the ribs in prime rib roast so the meat is in-between the bones similar to pork ribs.  The majority of the meat is usually taken for prime ribs so as a result, grocery store beef back ribs aren’t known for being super meaty. Having said that, when slow cooked, the meat is tender & flavorful. 

Removing The Membrane

Beef back rib membrane is the tissue that’s attached to the underside of the rib. When cooked, it’s very tough, not soft like rib meat. I know it sounds kind of gross, but it’s really not that bad or hard to remove. Rinse & pat dry your ribs. Meat side down, take a common butter knife and stick it between the membrane and the ribs. It should loosen fairy easily. Grab the membrane and simply pull it away. It should pull off fairly easily as well.

CHOOSING A BBQ SAUCE

The BBQ sauce really makes or breaks the recipe in my opinion. If you don’t have any dietary restrictions, use whatever sauce you want! I tend to use my homemade BBQ sauce. It’s both paleo and whole30 compliant. If you’re following a low-carb lifestyle, G Hughes is my go-to store bought brand.

FAQs & Tips

• Leftover beef back ribs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
• I like to use my homemade seasoning rub on my beef back ribs. Feel free to substitute your preferred seasoning whether it be store-bought or your own homemade blend. 
• I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

BBQ Recipes

• Pulled Chicken

• BBQ Brisket

• Pulled Pork

• Ribs

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