If you’ve ever wondered how to make tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs without tending a smoker or firing up the grill all day, these Slow Cooker Ribs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce are the answer. This is one of those true set-it-and-forget-it dinners that fills your house with the most incredible aroma and rewards you with incredibly flavorful ribs every single time. The homemade barbecue sauce is rich, slightly sweet, perfectly tangy, and packed with spices that make it taste like it simmered all day (because it did!). Whether you’re serving these for a summer cookout, game day, or an easy family dinner, everyone will be reaching for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fall-off-the-bone tender every time.
- Truly a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker recipe.
- Homemade barbecue sauce made with pantry staples.
- No grill or smoker required.
- Great for entertaining because the slow cooker does all the work.
- Easy enough for weeknight dinners but impressive enough for guests.
Tips for Success
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if it hasn’t already been removed. This helps create more tender ribs.
- Don’t skip making the homemade barbecue sauce—it adds so much flavor and comes together with simple pantry ingredients.
- Cook the ribs low and slow for the most tender results.
- If you’d like a caramelized finish, brush the ribs with additional barbecue sauce and broil them for 3–5 minutes after they come out of the slow cooker.
- Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices stay locked in.
Customizations
This recipe is easy to adapt depending on your family’s preferences.
- Use spare ribs instead of baby back ribs.
- Add a little extra cayenne for a spicier barbecue sauce.
- Swap maple syrup for the molasses for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Add a splash of liquid smoke if you want a smoky flavor without using a smoker.
- Finish the ribs on the grill instead of under the broiler for extra char.
To make these slow cooker ribs all you do is make your homemade bbq sauce that you’ll slather on the ribs (this homemade bbq sauce is the bomb, it would be perfect over chicken or any other kind of pork), then you’ll line your slow cooker with aluminum foil and place your ribs in and let them cook. Come back in 6 hours, and you’ll have irresistible, delicious, fall off the bone ribs! The best part is the sauce can be made any time ahead of time, so if you have a few extra moments on the weekend and want to make the bbq sauce, all you then have to do is remove the sauce from the fridge, brush it on to the ribs, and you’re ready to go.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Ribs
These ribs pair perfectly with all your favorite comfort food sides:
- Creamy Red Skin Sour Cream Potato Salad
- Coleslaw
- Bake Beans
- Macaroni and Cheese (easy 5 ingredient stovetop mac n cheese or blue cheese mac n cheese)
- Corn on the Cob
- Roasted Vegetables
- Cornbread
- Watermelon
- Pasta Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to brown the ribs first?
No! One of the best parts of this recipe is that you can place the ribs directly into the slow cooker.
Can I use store-bought barbecue sauce?
You can, but the homemade barbecue sauce is what really makes this recipe special. It’s surprisingly easy to make and has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! The ribs can be cooked a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the oven, brushed with extra barbecue sauce, until warmed through.
Can I freeze leftover ribs?
Absolutely. Store cooled ribs in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Storage
Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave with a little extra barbecue sauce to keep them moist.
These Slow Cooker Ribs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce are one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again. They’re incredibly tender, packed with flavor, and so easy to make that they almost feel effortless. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or serving a crowd at your next backyard BBQ, these ribs are guaranteed to be a hit.
Slow Cooker Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 1lb packages baby back ribs
For the BBQ sauce
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 clove garlic pressed/smashed
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon molasses or maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Line slow cooker with aluminum foil.
- In a small bowl combine all the ingredients for the bbq sauce and whisk until well combined.
- With a brush slather the ribs generously with the sauce and place in the slow cooker. Reserve remainder for cooking.
- Turn heat to low, cook for 6 hours, coming back every 2 hours to brush on more sauce (I store the sauce in the refrigerator in between brushings.) The meat should fall off the bone with poked with a fork. If it needs a little extra time, keep in the slow cooker for another ½ hour or until it falls apart.
- Remove from slow cooker and serve.
Notes
Pauline says
The recipe sounds delicious and I will definitely make as I am a huge fan of home made barbecue sauces. I am just wondering at the amount of salt. It seems like an awful lot. Is it correct?
Sweetphi says
Hi Pauline, thanks for the comment. Since not all the sauce gets onto the ribs and it balances out all the ingredients, it is the correct amount. But if you don’t like things salty, definitely feel free to use less salt 🙂 Hope you love this recipe
Pauline Korol says
I made the recipe with less salt and it’s delicious, This way, if I precook my ribs and add the sauce later, I can salt the ribs at the time I bake them. I also printed and passed the recipe on to relatives who loved it. Thank you for the reply to my query.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe Pauline, and thank you for your feedback 🙂
Jenna Stone says
The best ribs ever!!. Excellent texture and very tasty. it was a hit in my home. Thank you 🙂
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, so happy to hear you loved these ribs as much as we do!
Gabby says
Is it ok to slow cook on high for four hours?
Sweetphi says
Yes it should be fine 🙂
Sue Ellen says
How much worcestershire is 2 T. cup?
Sweetphi says
Hi Sue – thank you SO much for pointing that out, I have updated it now. The company I was working with wanted the recipe formatted in a really weird way, but I went and changed it to read normally now. The correct amount is 2 tablespoons. Sorry about the confusion, and again, I really appreciate the comment.
Don says
I Use this recipe many times, with a little deviation, I set my cooker on warm and depending on the amount of ribs cook them on warm for 20-24 hours…… Also Smithfield has “brisket ribs” which are mostly meat and I buy them at Walmart.
Don
Sweetphi says
Thank you for the comment 🙂
Anita says
I was wondering if this could be made using the Reynolds Slow Cooker liners. Can you please explain the reason the slow cooker is lined with foil?
Sweetphi says
Hi Anita, great question. Definitely o to use slow cooker liners. I’ve never used them but I assume they will work just as well – the reason for the foil is because that’s what I always have on hand 🙂
caroleanne says
Your ribs look fantastic. I will use your sauce the next time I make crock pot ribs which I make ALL the time. Instead of lining your crock pot with foil put 1 1/2 cups of water in the bottom of the crock pot. Then put a rack of some type in the water. Put the ribs on the rack. Cook for 4 – 5 hours on low. (This way the fat from the ribs drips down into the water). Brush on the sauce and continue to cook for 30 minutes. Brush on more sauce and cook for another 15 minutes. Serve.
Sweetphi says
Thank you for your comment Caroleanne, I definitely think you’ll love the homemade bbq sauce 🙂 Your method sounds interesting, I’ve never thought of steaming the ribs but I just might have to try that 🙂
annie says
Yum! It’s been awhile since I’ve made ribs…now I know what I’m gonna make for dinner tonight 😉
Sweetphi says
Ribs are always such a winner, this was the first time I’d made them at home, and now I’m hooked, I’m going to be making them in the crockpot from now on. I’d love to know how you like them 🙂
manda2177 says
These ribs look amazing!!!
Sweetphi says
Ribs are just so amazing, aren’t they? Thanks for the comment!
Ashley says
haha and now you have that jingle totally stuck in my head! I LOVE making ribs in the crockpot – these look fantastic!
Sweetphi says
Aren’t ribs in the crockpot so amazing and easy? Hope that jingle didn’t get stuck in your head too long 😉
wearenotmartha says
Wow. These photos are glorious and make me want to sit down at my work desk with a big platter of ribs right this second… Who cares what my co-workers think! 🙂
Sues
Sweetphi says
I bet your coworkers wouldn’t mind if you brought enough to share 🙂 Thanks for the comment Sues!
Rebecca@Figs and Pigs says
Gosh now I’m super hungry looks too good.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much 🙂
whatjessicabakednext says
These look so good! Loving the flavours!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, homemade bbq sauce on ribs (or anything for that matter) is such a favorite 🙂
Jocelyn Delk Adams (@grandbabycake) says
These ribs are seriously making me so happy! YES!!!!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much girl, ribs are the best, aren’t they?
Shawnna says
Yummy!! This looks so good!!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for the comment Shawnna!
Little Cooking Tips says
This is a great recipe Philia!! We love the fact of the homemade bbq sauce. Can we use another way to cook these ribs, since we don’t have slow cooker? Can we grill them? Have a beautiful day! 🙂
Panos & Mirella
Sweetphi says
Hi Panos and Mirella, you most certainly can cook this a few other ways, grilling is one (always good), but you could also bake them in the oven (low and slow, I’d say 250 in a foil lined pan for 4-6 hours). Enjoy!