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Festive Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 77 reviews

These Festive Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. The ribs are seasoned with a sweet and smoky BBQ rub, slow-cooked to juicy perfection, and finished with your favorite BBQ sauce for a deliciously sticky glaze. This hands-off recipe makes it easy to enjoy mouthwatering ribs without the hassle of grilling or oven roasting.

Ingredients

Scale

Ribs

  • 3 to 3½ pounds pork baby back ribs (3.25 lbs used)

BBQ Rub

  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cumin

BBQ Sauce

  • 2½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand), divided: 2 cups and ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ribs: Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the baby back ribs for better texture and flavor absorption. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.
  2. Make the BBQ rub: In a small bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, onion powder, cracked black pepper, and cumin until well combined.
  3. Season the ribs: Rub the BBQ seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs, ensuring full coverage.
  4. Set up the slow cooker: Place the ribs inside the slow cooker, curling them as needed to fit. Pour 2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce over the ribs, spreading it gently to coat.
  5. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the ribs are tender and easily pull apart with a fork.
  6. Finish the ribs: Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet. Brush the remaining ½ cup BBQ sauce over the ribs for an extra sticky glaze. For an optional caramelized finish, broil the ribs in the oven for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
  7. Serve: Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm with your favorite sides and extra BBQ sauce, if desired.

Notes

  • Removing the silver skin membrane improves tenderness and allows flavors to penetrate better.
  • Using your favorite BBQ sauce lets you customize the flavor to sweet, spicy, or smoky preference.
  • Slow cooking on low yields the most tender results; avoid high heat if possible.
  • Broiling at the end is optional but adds a nice caramelized finish to the ribs.
  • For easier handling, cut ribs into smaller portions before cooking if your slow cooker is small.

Keywords: slow cooker ribs, baby back ribs recipe, BBQ ribs, festive ribs, tender ribs, easy slow cooker recipes

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/festive-slow-cooker-baby-back-ribs-recipe/