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Best Baby Back Ribs in the Slow Cooker

44 Comments

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Best Baby Back Ribs on a platter, bbq sauce on the side

Oh My Word! Not only are these the Best Baby Back Ribs in the Slow Cooker, they are absolutely the best ribs I’ve ever made, period. And some of the best baby back ribs I’ve ever tasted. Which is saying a lot since I’ve eaten at some of the best rib joints in downtown Memphis.

Close up of Baby Back Ribs on a platter

My pictures are messy and maybe not very “pretty”…

Ribs in aluminum foil for cooling

…because these ribs fall off the bone as soon as you try to lift them out of the slow cooker. And I mean fall-of-the-bone the way you want ribs to fall off the bone. They fall apart because the meat is super moist and tender. I’ve made ribs in the slow cooker in the past that fell off the bone because the whole hot mess became more like shredded pork with bones swimming in liquid. This recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil (how cute is that name?) starts with a perfect dry rub and finishes with a tangy Asian-inspired barbecue sauce. The flavor combination here is exactly what you’re looking for in delicious sticky ribs. Each bite is juicy-tender with the right balance of spicy flavor that doesn’t overpower the ribs.

Some of the sauce goes in the slow cooker with the ribs and then more is brushed on the ribs after you take them out of the slow cooker. Crisp them up under the broiler for a couple of minutes more.

Baby Back Ribs on foil

 

Then serve the ribs with additional sauce that has been reduced on the stove. There you have it, the prefect recipe for the best ribs. THE best.

 Ribs on a platter

My husband’s “Wow!” reaction and my son’s wordless devouring of rib after rib was proof enough for me that I’ve finally found fool-proof success for finger-licking, fantastic ribs. And I still can’t believe I made them in the Crock Pot. And if you really like cooking in your slow cooker, I want to refer you to All Free Slow Cooker Recipes. Lot’s of inspiration for everything slow cooked!

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5 from 3 votes

Best Baby Back Ribs in the Slow Cooker

These ribs will be some of the best you've ever had. The ribs will fall apart right out of the slow cooker, so be warned. Just a little prep work required - make the sauce first to pour some over the ribs at beginning of cooking. Then reduce on the stove-top toward the end of cooking for a thick Asian-inspired sticky sauce.
Course Slow cooker
Cuisine BBQ
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 -8
Author Good Dinner Mom

Ingredients 

  • 2 racks of pork baby back ribs

Dry Rub

  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt

Sticky Sauce

  • 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce found in the international section of the grocery store
  • ⅔ cup reduced sodium soy sauce or regular if you don't have the low-salt
  • ⅔ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon hot water

Instructions

  • Lay the pork ribs out on a cutting board and make sure that the membrane from underneath the ribs has been removed (most stores and butchers do remove this).
  • Make the dry rub:
  • Mix together all the ingredients listed above for the rub. Using your hands, massage the rub into both sides of the ribs, concentrating a bit more on the top, meaty portion of the rack. Let rest while you start the sauce.
  • Make the sauce:
  • In a bowl, stir together the ginger, pepper, and onion powder. Add the garlic and mix again. Add the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and honey. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
  • Get ribs in the slow cooker:
  • Place the ribs in the slow cooker: To ensure that the ribs cook evenly, stand the racks up along the perimeter of the slow cooker with the wide end down and the meatier side of the ribs facing the slow-cooker insert wall. (The rib bones will be laying vertically and the slabs are now curled around each other in the cooker.)
  • Pour about 1 1/2 cup of the sauce over the ribs and place the remaining half into a small bowl and put in the refrigerator for now.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook at low for 8 hours. (I have cooked them on high for 2 1/2 hours and then switched to low for 4 hours with perfect success as well.)
  • Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a tin foil lined broil pan or baking sheet, meaty side up.
  • Remove the sauce from the refrigerator and brush a little more of the sauce on top of the ribs until nice and shiny. Leave ribs alone for a minute while you finish the sauce.
  • Sticky Sauce:
  • Heat the saucepan to medium heat and bring the sauce to a boil. Once it starts boiling, whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small dish. Stir together and then while whisking in the saucepan, slowly drizzle in the cornstarch mixture. Whisk until it comes back to a boil and then turn to medium low and allow to simmer until it begins to reduce and thicken, about 5-8 minutes. Set aside.
  • Finish the ribs:
  • Place the meat under the broiler in the middle of the oven for a few minutes or until it looks sticky and broiled. Be sure to watch it carefully. Allow to rest, tented with foil for 3-5 minutes and serve with the sticky sauce on the side.

Recipe adapted from Oh Sweet Basil.
Pinterest pin of Baby back ribs

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Published on January 16, 2015

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    Recipe Rating




  1. C. Minton says

    June 19, 2021 at 6:13 AM

    Do you use any of the juices from the slow cooker in the sauce, or just throw all that flavor away?

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      June 23, 2021 at 7:28 AM

      Hi, I haven’t but you certainly can.

      Reply
  2. Rachel says

    April 1, 2021 at 5:56 AM

    Do you place the ribs in the crockpot frozen or thawed? I’m assuming thawed, but wanted to be sure. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      April 1, 2021 at 12:16 PM

      Hi Rachel,
      Yes, place them in thawed. I hope you like them!

      Reply
  3. Quirine says

    May 18, 2020 at 7:18 AM

    What do you mean with sticky sauce?? And what kind of dry rub do you use?

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      May 18, 2020 at 7:41 AM

      Quirine, look at the recipe. I list ingredients to create the dry rub. The sticky sauce is just the bbq sauce that becomes nice and sticky on the ribs as it finishes in the oven.

      Reply
      • Quirine says

        May 18, 2020 at 9:56 AM

        🤭 sorry my phone didn’t show the correct layout! Now I see it, thanks so much for your prompt answer. Going to make them this week, but here in Holland I can’t get some ingredients shown in recipes therefore I was to prompt to ask. Thanks again!

        Reply
        • Sally Humeniuk says

          May 18, 2020 at 9:58 AM

          No problem at all! This recipe is pretty adaptable so if there are ingredients you can’t get, you can omit some or add your own variation. Thanks for checking out the recipe! Let me know if you have any other questions. 🙂

          Reply
  4. Todd Monsell says

    April 28, 2020 at 10:28 AM

    Hi! Assume the recipe can be halved for a single rack? How long in the slow cooker for one rack? Or would it be the same 8 hours?

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      April 28, 2020 at 6:13 PM

      Hi Todd, Yes you can cut the recipe in half with a single rack. I’ve never done that but I would still say about 5-6 hours on low. But I’m only guessing, sorry I don’t know exactly.

      Reply
  5. Terri says

    August 24, 2019 at 10:46 AM

    I have 2 racks (2 lbs each) can I put them all in the crock pot one rack on top the other?

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      August 24, 2019 at 12:27 PM

      Hi Terri, I’ve not done this but if they’ll fit they should be fine. The ones on top may not be as juicy as the ones on the bottom that get most of the moisture though.

      Reply
  6. Mo says

    May 14, 2019 at 1:03 PM

    5 stars
    Can you please tell me approx how many pounds for two slabs of ribs?

    This would help immensely for ratio to rub and sauce.

    Thanks!

    Mo

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      May 14, 2019 at 1:14 PM

      Hi Mo, approximately 3 1/2 pounds for EACH slab.

      Reply
  7. Gina says

    April 27, 2018 at 12:13 AM

    5 stars
    These really are The Best Baby Back Ribs! The recipe is detailed & easy to follow, & totally fool proof! They fell off the bone & broiling them at the end, made them look like I just pulled them off the grill! This is a recipe I’ll make again!

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      April 27, 2018 at 4:16 AM

      Thanks Gina! I’m glad the detailed recipe helped you. This is a favorite around our house.

      Reply
  8. Dawn says

    December 27, 2017 at 10:06 PM

    5 stars
    I’m in the middle of making these for at least the 5th time. This is a No-Fail recipe of deliciousness!!! I ran out of balsamic vinegar a few times & swapped out red wine and/or apple cider. All came out wonderful! Thanks for the recipe! ????

    Reply
  9. Bevan says

    July 11, 2017 at 7:24 PM

    I’m possibly one of the most incompetent cooks going around! Gave this a try last night, and have never been happier with the results!

    Reply
    • Sally says

      July 12, 2017 at 7:43 AM

      Bevan, You may have just made my entire summer with this comment. I’m so happy this recipe worked out for you and if you’re wanting to have success with even more recipes… Many friends who don’t cook much have also had success with my Mushroom Risotto recipe. The Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe on my site is one of the easiest around and I pretty much guarantee them to be the best you’ve ever had. Have a great day Bevan and thanks again for trying the rib recipe!

      Reply
  10. Hillary says

    August 4, 2016 at 6:31 AM

    Fabulous recipe! Cooking them for the second time tonight. However, last time they fell off the bone so thoroughly I couldn’t move the rack to the oven to broil them. This time I seared them on the grill with the dry rub, then moved them to the crock pot to cook. Wish me luck!

    Reply
    • Sally says

      August 4, 2016 at 10:04 AM

      Oh wow Hillary! That idea sounds amazing. I happen to have a batch in my freezer waiting for me right now. I think I’ll do your “pre-grill” method. Let me know how they turn out and thanks for taking the time to comment.

      Reply
  11. Kimber says

    June 23, 2016 at 11:26 AM

    Hi Sally- I’ve got some country style spare ribs to work with- do you think your recipe will apply to these well?

    Reply
  12. Colleen says

    March 9, 2016 at 12:17 PM

    I’m making these tonight. Do I need to baste them or flip them when their in the crockpot? They smell amazing. Can’t wait to eat them tonight!

    Reply
    • Sally says

      March 9, 2016 at 1:21 PM

      Hi Colleen! Nope, just let them cook in the crock pot until finished and then follow the instructions for under the broiler. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Linda says

    February 23, 2016 at 7:40 PM

    I made this for the first time. They were awesome. My children and husband loved them. My dsughtervsaidvtheybwere the best ribs I have ever made. I will be making this again.

    Reply
    • Sally says

      February 23, 2016 at 8:23 PM

      Linda, that is great! Thanks for letting me know and I’m glad the whole family liked them. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Dawn says

    February 12, 2016 at 8:46 AM

    Can you use spare ribs in place of the baby back?

    Reply
    • Sally says

      February 12, 2016 at 9:04 AM

      Hi Dawn, I would think so. I haven’t but am confident they’ll taste fabulous. Let me know how they turn out and thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  15. Kaela says

    January 26, 2016 at 7:24 PM

    Do you glaze them with the sauce then put them to broil or broil first then use the sauce ?

    Reply
    • Sally says

      January 26, 2016 at 8:44 PM

      Hi Kaela, I glaze them first and then the broiler will caramelize the glaze just a little. Hope this helps. Thanks for your question.

      Reply
  16. Barbara Ann says

    January 23, 2016 at 7:27 PM

    I’m wondering if the sticky sauce is spicy. I cook for some older folks who cannot handle spicy hot. Thanks – these look amazing.

    Reply
    • Sally says

      January 23, 2016 at 11:34 PM

      Hi Barbara Ann, The sauce is not spicy at all. If you want, you could lower the pepper to 1 teaspoon just for safe measure. I’m honored that you might make these for our more experience generation. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Eltas Aldaron says

    September 4, 2015 at 8:54 PM

    YUM! can’t wait to try these, I’ve been looking for a good chance to break out the crock pot! These look perfect!

    Reply
    • Sally says

      September 4, 2015 at 9:02 PM

      Thanks Eltas, Let me know how they turn our for you! I think I need to make them again soon, also.

      Reply
  18. Sally says

    July 4, 2015 at 2:47 AM

    These sound delicious! I’ll try them soon.

    Reply
  19. Serena says

    June 4, 2015 at 6:18 PM

    At last a recipe for ribs that doesn’t contain Barbeque sauce. It looks and sounds delicious and is on the go for tea tonight.

    Reply
  20. mila furman says

    January 19, 2015 at 9:49 AM

    Umm your pictures ARE messy because ribs are supposed to be! This looks awesome!!! I love making ribs in a slow cooker as well but yours look absolutely outstanding!!! PINNED

    Reply
    • Sally says

      January 19, 2015 at 10:44 AM

      Mila, thanks so much, lol! These are super good, for sure. I hope you try them soon. Let me know how they turn out for you. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Jesse says

    January 17, 2015 at 1:40 AM

    I’m vegetarian (technically pescetarian, mostly veg) but wow.

    I used to eat pork and have made quite a few great pork ribs.

    Incredible, and don’t worry about your pics, they are great. 🙂

    Reply

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