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crockpot ribs easy

🍖 Easy Crockpot Ribs – Tender, Juicy, and Fall-Off-the-Bone

Forget hours in the oven or grill — these Easy Crockpot Ribs are juicy, flavorful, and cooked hands-off while you get on with your day. Sweet, tangy, and sticky, they’re perfect for weeknights, parties, or game-day dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, BBQ
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 –3 lbs pork baby back ribs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar optional, for extra sweetness

Equipment

  • Slow cooker / Crockpot
  • Small bowl for sauce
  • Measuring spoons & cups
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs for more tender results.
  2. Season ribs on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
  3. Place ribs in the slow cooker, standing them upright if needed.
  4. In a small bowl, mix barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Pour over ribs.
  5. Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
  6. (Optional) For sticky, caramelized ribs, brush with extra barbecue sauce and broil in the oven for 3–5 minutes before serving.
  7. Serve hot with your favorite sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or corn on the cob.

Notes

Baby back ribs are preferred for tenderness, but spare ribs work too.
Avoid lifting the lid too often, as slow cooker heat escapes and can increase cooking time.
Leftovers store in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.