Ribs on a weeknight sound like a stretch, right? Not when the crockpot does the work! These crockpot baby back ribs get a sweet & savory rub with a splash of apple cider, and then they cook low and slow until they're fall-off-the-bone tender. Then they go under the broiler with BBQ sauce, twice, so every inch gets sticky and caramelized.

A rack of ribs coated in thick orange barbecue sauce on a foil-lined tray.

Move over grill!

Who knew you could cook the most tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in a crockpot?! I’ve cooked ribs on the grill, on a Big Green Egg, and in the oven, but never in a crockpot until recently. And let me tell you, they were every bit as delicious without all the hassle.

A woman with long red hair, wearing a brown sweater and jeans, smiles while standing in a modern kitchen beside a counter with fresh lettuce and hibachi steak bowls. Marble backsplash and gold kitchen accents are visible in the background.

I used the same rub I always do and added a little apple cider to the crockpot for moisture and flavor. Then I went about my day while they cooked low and slow. Don’t skip the last few minutes, though! The broiler is what gets the ribs nice and crispy, and I sauce them twice so every inch gets some. They are SO good, and I can assure you I’ll be making ribs a lot more often.

A person sits cross-legged in a meditation pose with their hands resting on their knees, peacefully imagining delicious hibachi steak bowls. The simple black outline contrasts against a white background.

It's Crock-tober around here! If the crockpot's already on the counter, put my crockpot honey garlic chicken and rice and shortcut crockpot birria tacos on the list next.

What You Need

Baby back ribs - One rack. I had my butcher remove the membrane on the back, so ask for that at the counter and skip the job at home.
Cinnamon - Only a teaspoon goes into the rub and it adds a little pop of sweet next to the paprika and cumin.
Apple cider - The kind you drink, not apple cider vinegar. It leaves a subtle apple flavor in the ribs. Apple juice works too.
Coconut sugar - Brown sugar is an easy swap.
BBQ sauce - Use your favorite. I used a bottle of Primal Kitchen, and my homemade BBQ sauce works here too.

How to Make Crockpot Baby Back Ribs

A rack of raw pork ribs coated in dry spice rub on parchment paper. — **Step 1** : Make the rub and rub it into the ribs.

A rack of raw ribs coated in dry spice rub sitting in a slow cooker with liquid at the bottom. — **Step 2** : Place the ribs in the crockpot around the edge of the bowl and cook low and slow.

A rack of cooked ribs coated in thick orange barbecue sauce on a foil-lined surface. — **Step 3** : Spread bbq sauce on the ribs and broil for a few minutes. Do this twice!

Ansley's Tips

Sauce the ribs in two rounds. Half the sauce goes on before the first broil, and the rest goes on the bare spots before the second. That's how every inch of the ribs gets sauce.
Short on time? Cook the ribs on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours instead.
Broil on the middle rack. That's where I put mine so they don't burn.

Check out these recipes for more crockpot recipes

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