Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

I know my buddies on the grilling and smoker forums are going to give me grief over making slow cooker baby back ribs. But I am always up to trying something new (to me). Now, yes, I know these baby back ribs don’t sit in a smoker for 6 or so hours and get a beautiful smoke ring. But, they are tender, almost fall-off-the-bone tender, and with a little help, quite tasty. And hey, when it’s blowing 45 MPH winds outside with a wind chill well below 0, slow cooker baby back ribs will do just nicely.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Like with boiling ribs (ok, don’t hate me for boiling ribs!) before grilling them, you have to add something so that the ribs get some flavor to them. Last time I boiled ribs, I added Old Bay seafood boil seasoning. When I made these baby back ribs I added a drop or two of liquid smoke and a little smoky BBQ sauce to boot. Sure, it’s not the same as sitting over hickory smoke for a long time, but those smoky flavors do absorb into the meat as it cooks.

Also try my slow cooker Vietnamese ribs.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Sure, it's not the same as sitting over hickory smoke for a long time, but those smoky flavors do absorb into the meat as it cooks.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, ribs, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 487kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Separate the ribs into sections, 2-3 bones each.
  • Season the ribs on both sides with plenty of salt and pepper. Don’t be shy.
  • Add the water to the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Stir in 1/4 cup of the BBQ sauce.
  • Add the ribs. Top with the onion and sprinkle with the garlic.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Remove ribs, discarding the onion.
  • Coat ribs in BBQ sauce on all sides.
  • Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has set.

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 552mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds, with nothing but empty bowls between rounds. That same great flavor as a traditional pot roast, completely amped up with BBQ flavors. This is surprisingly different and really a treat to eat!

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I used a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce when I made this slow cooker BBQ pot roast. You want something with a smoky flavor, and maybe even a bit of a spicy kick. After all, this isn’t your normal pot roast. I wouldn’t go with something that’s over-the-top sweet but a little bit is ok. Just like with the heat. A little heat is a good thing.

The broth in this pot roast screams ‘dip something in me’. So I made some Italian breadsticks on the side. I saved as much of the broth as I could for the end, at which point I got to soppin’ with my breadsticks!

Also try my slow cooker Mississippi pot roast.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, pot roast, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 627kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 – 3 pound chuck roast some fat removed
  • ½ white onion chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 large Russet potatoes chopped into chunks (I left the skin on)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme crumbled
  • ½ cup water plus more, possibly

Instructions

  • Place everything into your slow cooker, starting with the meat first.
  • Cook on low 8-10 hours or until the meat is fall-apart tender, stirring every hour after the first 4 hours. Add more water as you go if the pot roast is thicker than you prefer.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 1481mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Hot Pepper Jelly BBQ Sauce

Oh, what a wonderful BBQ sauce this hot pepper jelly BBQ sauce is. It has the perfect consistency. Not too runny, not too gloppy. A small bit of heat and a little tang from vinegar and mustard. Perfect for any pork BBQ dish. For me that means smoked baby back ribs.

Hot Pepper Jelly BBQ Sauce

You can substitute any kind of jelly for the hot pepper jelly, really. But don’t be afraid of hot pepper jelly. Out of the jar, sure, it’s got some kick. But in this hot pepper jelly BBQ sauce that heat gets a little mellowed. You still get great pepper flavor though. It’s still a great sauce!


Want something even spicier? Try my atomic BBQ sauce on ribs.

Hot Pepper Jelly BBQ Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Hot Pepper Jelly BBQ Sauce

Oh, what a wonderful BBQ sauce this hot pepper jelly BBQ sauce is. It has the perfect consistency. Not too runny, not too gloppy. A small bit of heat and a little tang from vinegar and mustard. 
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword barbecue, BBQ, sauce, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 482kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk until all ingredients are combined.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 116g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1110mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 83g | Vitamin A: 481IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.