Who'd have guessed that the BEST baby back ribs I've ever had started in a slow cooker? It's true, this grilled slow cooker baby back ribs recipe produces fall-off-the-bone tender ribs! Toss them on the grill for a few minutes and you have the best of both worlds...
Ever since we returned from our annual beach vacation, the reality that summer is winding down has slowly been sinking in. In fact, my kids already started school last week! I feel like this summer just flew by...
Those first few days of school are always rough, as we ease back into routines and juggling homework plus sports practices. So taking a cue from a Gabe and Garrett video my kids recently watched on YouTube, we decided this past weekend called for a little end of summer hoorah (AKA a family cookout with all the faves)!
My older boys requested that I add ribs to the menu, since we haven't had them for awhile. Only problem? Other earlier obligations meant we didn't have hours to grill them low and slow to perfection....
So I decided to pull an old trick out of my bag and tossed them into the slow cooker for a few hours. Then we finished them off with about 15 minutes on the grill to add a little char.
How To Make Grilled Crockpot Ribs
Want to give this grilled crockpot ribs method a try for yourself? You won't believe how easy it is...
I started by rubbing down a couple racks of baby back ribs with my favorite BBQ pork rub. Smoked paprika is a spice that I recently added to my collection, and I'm loving the smoky, spicy flavor that it adds to grilled foods.
Of course, you could just use your favorite store-bought spice rub instead, but I find they're typically loaded with extra salt and preservatives. Totally up to you!
Next, slice each rack into 3-4 portions, transfer to the slow cooker, and cook them on low for about 7-8 hours — any more and they become a little too tender to throw on the grill. I just layered them on top of each other in my 5-qt. crockpot, and they fit perfectly.
After their stint in the crockpot, I finished the ribs off on the grill over high heat for about 15 minutes, turning every few minutes. I basted them with the same sweet & spicy honey chipotle glaze that I used on my bacon wrapped corn on the cob, which added the perfect amount of heat. I wasn't kidding when I said we were going to smother everything in it!
Pro Tip
You can also use this slow cooker method and then finish the ribs off under the broiler. This comes in handy during cold weather or if you run out of gas in your grill while cooking — which seems to happen for us way too often...
Printable Recipe ↓
Grilled Crockpot Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs
- 2 tablespoon pork rub
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Rub each rack of ribs with about 1 tablespoon of the pork dry rub, and then cut each into 3-4 portions.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to the crockpot, then layer each portion of ribs in it and cook on low for 7-8 hours. I recommend using a liner to avoid sticking.
- Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and grill over high heat. Cook for about 15 minutes or until you reach a nice char, brushing with your favorite BBQ sauce (try this honey chipotle glaze!) and turning frequently.
Recipe Notes
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Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your crockpot ribs turn out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Nikki says
Do you have to put them right on the grill after they are done in slow cooker? I’m waiting for my husband to get home he said he’s going to be another hour or 2 and the ribs just finished in the slow cooker, can they wait to be grilled or should I just throw them on now?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Nikki! Yes, you can certainly wait to grill them later. Just keep in mind if you refrigerate them in the meantime, you'll want to grill them longer to ensure that they're warmed through.
Doctor B says
This is my go-to recipe for ribs when I’m not in the mood to spend a day at the smoker. My only mod is to add a half teaspoon of liquid smoke to the vinegar.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Great tip — thanks for sharing!
Joy says
I do so with my children too, always on the weekends I look for a different dish to eat on the weekend and they like the myth of new things, I'll make your recipe and then I'm sure that just like yours, mine will want me to do more times.
Joy says
I do so with my children too, always on the weekends I look for a different dish to eat on the weekend and they like the myth of new things, I'll make your recipe and then I'm sure that just like yours, mine will want me to do more times.