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Slow Cooker Pork Ribs+ VIDEO

This easy slow cooker pork ribs recipe produces melt-in-your-mouth, falling-off-the-bone ribs with minimal effort. Sit back and let your crockpot do the work with this fuss-free pork ribs recipe. Instructions to make these these tender ribs in the Instant Pot are also included.

close up shot of BBQ pork ribs on a wooden cutting board

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

  • Pork Ribs
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Seasonings Salt 

collage of ingredients for slow cooker pork ribs

How To Make Pork Ribs In The Crock-Pot

Prepare The Ribs

  1. Remove the membrane from the ribs. Rinse & pat dry. You may need to cut the rack of ribs in half in order for them to fit in the appliance.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the Homemade Seasoning Salt ingredients. Rub the seasoning all over the ribs on both sides.

Slow Cooker

Option 1:

  1. Place a large piece of aluminum foil down. Add the prepared ribs to the center of the foil. You can also add unseasoned ribs and rub them down with the seasoning directly on the foil.
  2. Bring the shorter edges to the center, then fold them over each other to make a seam in the center. Fold in the edges to seal so that you create a packet. Repeat with the other half of the ribs if you cut your rack in half.
  3. Place the foil packet in the slow cooker. 
  4. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Option 2:

  1. Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the prepared ribs to the slow cooker. It’s okay if they overlap.
  2. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Instant Pot

  1. Add the water to the pressure cooker. Add the trivet rack to the base.
  2. Add the prepared ribs, standing up around the trivet with the meat facing out. 
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 35 minutes. When cooking time is done, naturally release pressure for 10 minutes then manually the remaining pressure.

BROIL

  1. Turn your oven to BROIL.
  2. Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
  3. Place the ribs on a baking sheet. Spread the BBQ sauce on top of the ribs. Place the baking sheet in the oven under the broil for 2-5 minutes. Add more BBQ sauce if needed.
overhead shot of pork ribs wrapped in foil in the slow cooker

before & after

What Type Of Ribs To Use

You can use spare ribs, baby back ribs, St. Louis style ribs or even country-style ribs. I tend to use either spare ribs or baby backs. You will mostly need to cut the rack of ribs in half in order for them to fit in the slow cooker.  

 

Removing The Membrane

Pork 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. Trust me, you’ll want to remove this before cooking your ribs. 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.

overhead shot of pork ribs on foil on a baking sheet with no BBQ sauce

after cooking, place on baking sheet

Seasoning The Ribs

I like to use my homemade seasoning salt on my ribs. You can use your preferred seasoning whether it be store-bought or your own homemade blend. In the recipe box you will find ingredients for my homemade seasoning salt mix. It’s low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible. 

 

Wrapping The Ribs In Foil

I wrap my ribs in foil before adding them to the slow cooker. If you’re using the slow cooker, you have this option. Wrapping the ribs in foil does nothing more than making clean up and broiling easier. If you place the ribs directly in the slow cooker, they will taste the same. The ribs need to go in unwrapped if you’re using an Instant Pot. 

overhead shot of pork ribs on foil on a baking sheet with BBQ sauce

add BBQ sauce and place under the broiler

What Type Of Sauce To Use

What sauce you use on your ribs will dictate whether they’re low-carb  or paleo/whole30 compliant. Personally I like to use my own homemade BBQ sauce. It’s both paleo and Whole30 compatible. Of course you can use store-bought. If you’re looking for a store-bought paleo/Whole30 BBQ sauce, I recommend Primal Kitchen classic BBQ sauce. For low-carb, I like to use G Hughes sugar free BBQ sauce.

 

Broiling The Ribs

After the ribs are done cooking in the slow cooker or pressure cooker, you will need to remove them from the appliance so they can broil in the oven. This is one of the reasons I wrap my ribs in foil before placing them in the slow cooker, it makes this step easier for clean up. I open up the foil on a baking sheet, add the sauce, and pop it under the broiler. Before broiling the ribs is the point where you add your BBQ sauce. Smother the sauce generously on the ribs and broil the ribs until the sauce is bubbling and starting to caramelize. I suggest you watch the ribs as they broil so they don’t burn.

close up shot of BBQ pork ribs on a wooden cutting board

FAQs & Tips

  • Store leftover pork ribs in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
  • If you’re using the slow cooker, do not add liquid! Just the meat and the potatoes. 
  • I’ve have found that this is not a recipe that can let sit on warm for extended hours.
  • Be careful removing the ribs & potatoes from the appliance when cooking time is complete. I use a fork and tongs.
  • I use a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Ribs Recipes

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close up shot of BBQ pork ribs on a wooden cutting board

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

This slow cooker pork ribs recipe produces melt-in-your-mouth, falling-off-the-bone ribs with minimal effort. Sit back and let your crockpot do the work with this fuss-free pork ribs recipe. Instructions to make these these tender ribs in the Instant Pot are also included.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 pounds pork ribs
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup water (Instant Pot only)

Homemade Seasoning Salt

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Prepare The Ribs

  1. Remove the membrane from the ribs. Rinse & pat dry. You may need to cut the rack of ribs in half in order for them to fit in the appliance.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the Homemade Seasoning Salt ingredients. Rub the seasoning all over the ribs on both sides.

Slow Cooker

Option 1:

  1. Place a large piece of aluminum foil down. Add the prepared ribs to the center of the foil. You can also add unseasoned ribs and rub them down with the seasoning directly on the foil.
  2. Bring the shorter edges to the center, then fold them over each other to make a seam in the center. Fold in the edges to seal so that you create a packet. Repeat with the other half of the ribs if you cut your rack in half.
  3. Place the foil packet in the slow cooker.
  4. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Option 2:

  1. Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the prepared ribs to the slow cooker. It’s okay if they overlap.
  2. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Instant Pot

  1. Add the water to the pressure cooker. Add the trivet rack to the base.
  2. Add the prepared ribs, standing up around the trivet with the meat facing out.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 35 minutes. When cooking time is done, naturally release pressure for 10 minutes then manually the remaining pressure.

BROIL

  1. Turn your oven to BROIL.
  2. Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
  3. Place the ribs on a baking sheet. Spread the BBQ sauce on top of the ribs. Place the baking sheet in the oven under the broil for 2-5 minutes. Add more BBQ sauce if needed.
  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours

 

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Slow Cooker Pork Ribs+ VIDEO
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Cindy

Wednesday 19th of August 2020

Wow—so easy and the ribs were so tender. Love the aluminum foil tip. I used sugar free bbq sauce—these were delicious!

Dinofan

Thursday 2nd of July 2020

Thanks for the foil tip. When placing the wrapped rib in the slow cooker, do you add any liquid? (The Crockpot's manual says not to cook dry food).

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Thursday 2nd of July 2020

You're welcome! I do not add water to the slow cooker however I understand that makes some people nervous. If you're going to add liquid, don't add more than 1/4 cup. Enjoy!

Kevin

Tuesday 31st of March 2020

We loved these ribs! I used the recipe for the seasoning salt too. For the sauce I just used Kraft Original barbeque sauce.

Delicious and easy to make

Cindy

Monday 2nd of September 2019

this was very helpful Than You very much.

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

You're very welcome!