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Tender Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs Recipe with Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

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Tender baby back ribs slow-cooked to fall-off-the-bone perfection with a rich, tangy homemade BBQ sauce made from simple pantry staples. This easy slow cooker recipe is perfect for gatherings and comfort food lovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (4–5 pounds / 1.8–2.3 kg), trimmed and membrane removed
  • Dry Rub Mix:
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • Homemade BBQ Sauce:
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: a few dashes of hot sauce
  • Additional:
  • Aluminum foil (for resting ribs)

Instructions

  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the baby back ribs by sliding a knife under the membrane at one end, grabbing it with a paper towel, and pulling it off. (10 minutes)
  2. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Stir until evenly mixed.
  3. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture generously all over both sides of the ribs, pressing it in so it sticks. (5 minutes)
  4. Coil the ribs into a spiral or layer them bone side down inside the slow cooker.
  5. Whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and hot sauce (if using) in a bowl. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang to your liking.
  6. Pour about half of the BBQ sauce evenly over the ribs in the slow cooker. Reserve the rest for serving and basting after cooking.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until ribs are tender and the meat starts pulling away from the bones.
  8. Carefully transfer ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with the reserved BBQ sauce, wrap tightly with foil, and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
  9. Optional: Place ribs under a broiler for 3-5 minutes for a sticky, caramelized finish, watching closely to avoid burning.
  10. Slice between the bones, plate, and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce as desired.

Notes

Remove the silver skin membrane for tender ribs. Apply dry rub the night before for deeper flavor or just before cooking if short on time. Use only half the BBQ sauce in the slow cooker to avoid soggy ribs; reserve the rest for glazing and serving. Resist lifting the lid during cooking to maintain heat. Rest ribs wrapped in foil after cooking to lock in juices. Optional broiling adds a caramelized crust. For gluten-free, use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and check ketchup labels.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker ribs, baby back ribs, homemade BBQ sauce, easy ribs recipe, slow cooked ribs, tender ribs, BBQ sauce recipe, comfort food

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