If you’re after deeply rich and savory, fall-of-the-bone tender crockpot beef ribs, this is the recipe you want to make!
Beef ribs get coated in a smoky, savory spice blend—paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper—then head straight into the crockpot where they’re slathered with barbecue sauce. As they cook low and slow, the meat becomes incredibly tender. Right before serving, a quick trip under the broiler caramelizes the sauce into a sticky, glossy finish that’s completely irresistible.
I love this recipe for so many reasons. After about ten hours in the slow cooker, the ribs are truly fall-off-the-bone tender, with deep, developed flavor from just a simple spice rub and your favorite BBQ sauce. The crockpot does all the hard work, which makes this one of those magical recipes that’s both easy and impressive. It’s perfect to start in the morning on a busy day, but special enough to serve to guests—and since there’s no grilling involved, it’s a year-round ribs recipe I come back to again and again.
The low-and-slow cooking method of crockpots is ideal for deep, rich beefy flavors! Make this crockpot beef stew next.
Which BBQ sauce should I use for slow-cooker beef ribs?
The truth is, slow-cooked beef in any BBQ sauce tastes amazing! We’ve experimented with these beef back ribs using various homemade or store-bought BBQ sauces, and they always turn out great. If you have a favorite BBQ sauce, use that one! Here are some of our top picks:
- Homemade: This chocolate BBQ sauce or this bourbon BBQ sauce are both delicious, or make our BBQ sauce for chicken or BBQ sauce for pork (they’re both great with this recipe, too!)
- Paleo: Date Lady makes a BBQ sauce that’s sweetened with dates.
- Super spicy: Crazy Mooskies makes a super hot (and no sugar added) BBQ sauce.
- No sugar added: G Huges Smokehouse Sugar Free BBQ Sauce .
- Gluten-free: Daddy Sam’s makes a tasty and gluten-free BBQ sauce.
- Popular: We all know that Sweet Baby Ray’s is always a solid option.
Watch how to make crockpot beef ribs
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What ribs do I use for slow cooking?
For slow cooking, you’ll want ribs with a decent amount of meat and connective tissue. So, for our beef ribs in a crockpot recipe, look for cuts labeled as beef back ribs or beef short ribs. Both of these are well-suited for slow cooking methods. Beef plate ribs, also referred to as dinosaur ribs or spare ribs, work well for slow cooking, too. You may also have heard of beef chuck ribs. Because they have less marbling, they’re less suitable for slow cooking.
How do I store leftover slow cooker beef short ribs?
If you have crockpot beef ribs leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze t them in a freezer-proof container for up to three months.
What to serve with slow cooker beef short ribs?
Enjoy your slow cooker beef ribs with a variety of sides – keep it simple and make a side salad, like a bacon kale caesar salad or a broccoli coleslaw . Or serve them with some vegetables to round out the meal. Pop your crockpot beef ribs on top of a bed of garlic parmesan mashed potatoes . Then, scoop up some apple pie baked beans , spicy honey roasted carrots , or some sauteed green beans to complete the meal.
Can you cook ribs in a slow cooker without liquid?
You can, but this particular crockpot beef ribs recipe uses barbecue sauce as the liquid element. The slow cooker’s heat is gentle enough to cook the beef without burning it, and the beef will also release liquid as it cooks. So, your beef ribs are self-braising without the need to add beef broth!
Try these ribs recipes next
Braised Pork Ribs (literally the best recipe)
Grilled Pork Ribs with Ponzu Sauce
Baked Ribs and Potatoes with Green Beans
Sticky Paleo Ribs
BBQ Crockpot Beef Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, pepper, and salt
- 8 beef back ribs
- 1 cup bbq sauce , divided - see notes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, pepper, and salt. 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, pepper, and salt
- Sprinkle the spices evenly over both sides of the ribs. 8 beef back ribs
- Place the ribs into your slow cooker, pour ¾ cup of the BBQ sauce over the ribs, and set your slow cooker for 10 hours on low.
- When the ribs have finished cooking, preheat your oven to broil with a rack in the top third of the oven. Carefully remove the ribs (they will be tender!) from your slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet. Baste one side with the remaining ¼ cup of BBQ sauce then broil them for 5-6 minutes, until the BBQ sauce is bubbling and starts to caramelize and smell extra sweet.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and serve right away.
