Crockpot BBQ Ribs
**Short answer BBQ ribs in crockpot:** BBQ ribs can be cooked to perfection in a slow cooker or crockpot. Season the racks, add BBQ sauce and cook on low for 6-8 hours until tender and falling off the bone. Finish with additional BBQ sauce if desired.
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Step-by-Step Guide: Perfectly Cooked BBQ Ribs in a Crockpot Every Time
Is there anything more mouth-watering than a perfectly cooked rack of BBQ ribs? Whether you prefer them spicy or sweet, fall-off-the-bone tender is always the goal. But letâs be honest â it can be tough to achieve that standard if you donât have access to a smoker or grill.
Donât despair! With a trusty crockpot and our step-by-step guide, youâll be serving up finger-lickinâ good ribs every time. Hereâs how:
Step 1: Choose Your Ribs
Pork spare ribs are the traditional choice for BBQ, but baby back ribs or beef short ribs will work just as well if you prefer their taste. Youâll need about 2 pounds of meat per person.
When choosing your ribs at the store, look for cuts with plenty of meat on them. Avoid any with excessive fat veins or bones poking out unevenly.
Step 2: Season Your Meat
A rub is essential when cooking BBQ ribs â this mix of spices enhances the flavor and helps form a delicious crust on the outside of your slow-cooked meat. Using clean hands, massage your dry rub liberally into both sides of each rib slab until fully coated.
Hereâs an easy-to-make spice blend to get you started:
-2 tbsp. paprika
-1 tsp garlic powder
-1 tsp onion powder
-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (more if you like heat!)
-Salt and black pepper to taste
For an extra layer of flavor, brush some BBQ sauce onto the seasoned racks before placing them in your crockpot.
Step 3: Set Up Your Crockpot
If possible, choose a crockpot large enough to comfortably fit all your rib slabs while stacked vertically against each other without overlapping too much.
Depending on how much food youâre making and cooking duration desired set temperature according ranging from High for 4-5 hours or Low for 8-9 hours.
Step 4: Slow Cook Your Ribs
Carefully place your seasoned ribs into the crockpot, stacking them vertically with the bone side facing inward. Turning slightly to fit if needed. Add some chopped onions and garlic providing extra depth of flavor.
Place cover on top and set temperature according ranging from High for 4-5 hours or Low for 8-9 hours.
This is where patience is key. Resist opening up the lid and take a peek at how theyâre doing so you donât release all that flavorful steam thatâll help tenderize those tasty slabs!
Once time is up you can check to see meat falls off the bones easily otherwise it means slow-cook some more minutes before serving.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
While succulent enough as-is, adding bbq sauce glaze will add an amazing last touch! Take about half cup of BBQ sauce separately in bowl then brush over each rack right after removed from crock pot until sufficiently covered.
For lovely caramelization now could broil in oven under low heat for only around five minutes â watch closely!
Itâs contestable but yes it needs mentioning â leaving freshly out-of-crock-pot-hot-meat-to rest face down may release liquid leading to loss of tenderness thus flip racks onto its backside instead & continue resting them there undoubtedly making worth every effort put into preparation process readying crĂšme de la crĂšme barbecue pork spare / beef short rib(s)âŠ
So, go ahead give this slow cooked method a try next time your craving hits because are not nothing quite like home-made fall-off-the-bone tender BBâd deliciousness especially when entertaining family friends with little laborious effort involved given involving mostly tossing everything together early morning letting crocks do magic throughout day while leisurely enjoying normal activities!
BBQ Ribs in a Crockpot FAQs: What You Need to Know Before You Start Cooking
BBQ ribs are easily one of the most popular dishes in America. Thereâs something about juicy, tender, and flavorful pork ribs that make them a staple at every summer cookout or family dinner. However, cooking BBQ ribs can be quite intimidating â especially if youâre not comfortable around a grill.
Luckily for us all, crockpots have come to our rescue! By cooking your BBQ ribs in a slow cooker or crockpot, you will get amazing results with minimal effort. Perfectly cooked meat falling off the bone ready on time!
If you are interested in trying this method but unfamiliar with how to use it for perfecting juicy BBQ Ribs , this blog post is just right for you! Here weâll answer some frequently asked questions and provide key tips when embarking on your rib adventure.
What kind of ribs should I buy?
When buying ribs for cooking in a crockpot, always look out for âbaby backâ or âSt Louis Styleâ. Baby back is typically smaller and leaner compared to St Louis style which has more fat as it comes from closer to the belly âspare ribâ area; providing thicker meaty parts even after the hours-long low-and-slow cook. Ultimately purchase what suits your taste buds best as they both lead delicious results.
How long does it take to cook BBQ ribs in a slow cooker?
Cooking times range from 6-8 hours on low heat setting or 3-4 hours on high heat setting depending upon thickness (i.e. extra minutes needed per pound). Always check temperature of finished product before serving: 165°F internal temp at minimum assures safety from harmful bacteria yet maintaining tenderness desired!
Can I put frozen Ribs directly into my Crockpot?
Itâs possible , however highly recommend thawing first because they wonât cook evenly otherwise leading tough portions throughout.
Do I need liquid/ sauce added while Cooking ?
Despite ribs exuding their own juices, adding a liquid to the crockpot leads to plenty of extra moisture to keep things juicy and tender- especially if you slow cook over several hours. A good option would be apple juice or even just water.
Do I have to take off the membrane from Ribs?
Yes, yes, yes! Do not skip this step: The clear membraned layer on the underbelly section is commonly known as âsilver skinâ. Itâll prevent spices/sauce from fully penetrating meat and impact texture during cooking; remove completely for effortless tenderness which wonât compromise flavor.
How can I get crispy/smoky BBQ rib bark?
Although they may come out incredibly tasty , many times Crock pot methods are unable create that physically browned exterior weâve been accustomed too when grilling outside .Hereâs an easy trick:
After Slow Cooking in your crockpot , dab ribs dry with paper towel, slather meat all over with BBQ sauce before placing on broiler rack at 450°F temp setting alongside vegetables like peppers/onions/zucchini etc.. Char for four-five minutes until crusty surface appears â itâll give flavors unattainable without barbecue grill!
What are some Spices / Sauce Combinations suggestions?
The possibilities here are endless depending upon desired level of spice & sweetness ! Combining Brown Sugar, dry thyme,Rosemary,Garlic,paprika,Salt& Pepper make up an basic rub mixture that’s fantastic entrĂ©e into Crock-pot Rib world ; On day-of -cook add any varieties such as Onion powder/cinnamon/nutmeg/(or Cayenne if a fan of heat), BBQ sauce can be homemade or store bought smothering provide fulfilling sauciness .
We hope these tips Answered commonl dilemmas enabling successful preparations leading towards finger earwig experiences!
Top 5 Facts You Didnât Know About BBQ Ribs in a Crockpot
As summer draws near, many of us start to daydream about the smoky scent of BBQ wafting through the air. Thereâs nothing quite like biting into a succulent rib with just the right amount of char and tenderness, but slaving over a grill isnât always an option. Enter: crockpot ribs.
Yes, you read that right! You can make fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs in your slow cooker, and theyâre just as satisfyingly flavorful as their grilled counterparts. But there are a few things you might not know about this cooking method that can take your meal from good to great.
Here are five facts you didnât know about BBQ ribs in a crockpot:
1. Pre-cook for extra flavor
While cook-and-go recipes may look appealing (who doesnât love dumping everything into one pot?), pre-cooking the ribs before putting them in the crockpot is key to getting maximum flavor. This involves rubbing your preferred spice mix onto the meat and browning it on all sides using butter or oil in a pan until browned.
Not only does this step ensure more taste layers, it also helps seal moisture inside â leading to juicier meat without leaving behind food safety concerns!
2. Donât forget liquid
An important aspect of cooking anything low and slow is ensuring enough moistness for tenderizing and flavor infusion â whether that be stock or water plus seasonings like garlic powder or onion flakes â usually around 1/4 cup works well per rack until fully immersed while still allowing Smokey flavors shine through too!
3. Give âme space
When adding racks after initial pre-cooking phase , donât stack them too tightly- they should lie flat on top so that theyâre nicely coated during braising process , which lasts six to eight hours approximately depending upon desired level of tenderness .
Leaning too upright will hinder even coating since juices will only baste the top layers.
4. Sear for texture
Want more of that grilled, crispy texture? After cooking in the slow cooker, itâs best to finish off on a hot barbecue grill (or oven broiler) for a minute or two per side just long enough to achieve desired char without sacrificing juicy tenderness!
5. Ribs come in all sorts of sizes
Lastly, you should consider rib size when choosing your recipe and crockpot accordingly . Just like steak thickness affects cook times, slab weights may vary dramatically despite both labeled âbaby backâ as opposed from spare ribs etcetera..
By making these small but key adjustments depending on preference/size- your BBQ pork ribs have never tasted better especially with slightest tweakings like sweet glaze mop offs nearing final minutes!!