Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

Introduction

Few dishes capture the magic of effortless, melt-in-your-mouth flavor like Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs. These ribs come out fall-off-the-bone tender with minimal hands-on prep, thanks to the wonders of slow cooking. If you want a meal that impresses family and guests alike—without spending hours in the kitchen—these ribs are sure to become a weeknight or weekend staple.

Why These Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs Are a Must-Try

This recipe is all about maximum flavor with minimal effort. By combining simple pantry staples and letting your slow cooker do the heavy lifting, you’ll enjoy rich, deeply-seasoned ribs with a sticky glaze. They’re ideal for laid-back dinners, barbecue parties, or anytime you crave comfort food that practically cooks itself.

The Secret to Perfect Slow Cooker Ribs

The secret lies in a simple dry rub and a touch of your favorite barbecue sauce. Start by seasoning the ribs generously, then slow cook them until ultra-tender. A quick finish under the broiler caramelizes the sauce for irresistible, finger-licking results. The hands-off cooking method also means you can spend your time on meal planning, prepping sides, or just relaxing.

Serving Suggestions for Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs

Serve your ribs with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or cornbread for a complete Southern-inspired meal. For a lighter touch, roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad are great complements. Don’t forget extra napkins—these ribs are delightfully saucy!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each serving (roughly 1/2 rack of ribs) contains approximately 500 to 600 calories, depending on the cut of meat and type of barbecue sauce used. Serve as part of a balanced meal for a satisfying dinner.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a smart, organized shopping list with all ingredients grouped by store section—making grocery trips easier and helping you nail your weekly meal routine.

Instructions

1. Remove the silver skin from the back of the ribs if not already done. Pat ribs dry with paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
3. Rub the spice mix evenly over both sides of the ribs.
4. Coil or cut the ribs to fit into your slow cooker, meat side facing the pot’s edge.
5. Pour about half the barbecue sauce over the ribs, reserving the rest for finishing.
6. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours, or on high for 4–5 hours, until ribs are tender.
7. Preheat your oven broiler. Carefully transfer the ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush generously with remaining barbecue sauce.
8. Broil for 3–5 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and caramelized. Watch closely to prevent burning.
9. Slice between bones and serve hot with your favorite sides.

Weekly Meal Planning

These Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs are a game-changer for your meal prep and family dinner planning. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly meal planner to generate shopping lists that smartly consolidate ingredients for all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Reduces trip repetition by sorting ingredients by grocery aisle
• Automatically tallies total ingredients for all planned recipes
• Simplifies weekly meal planning, especially for busy families
• Minimizes forgotten items and helps prevent food waste

Pro tip: Plan your week’s meals together and see how shared ingredients—like spices and barbecue sauce—can be combined in your list, making shopping easier and more efficient.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours (on low; 4–5 hours on high)
Total Time: Approximately 8 hours (mostly hands-off cooking, plus 5 minutes for broiling)

Enjoy these Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs for a flavorful, satisfying meal you can count on—every time!