SUPER EASY SLOW COOKED BBQ BEEF RIBS

Tender, flavorful, delicious, BBQ seasoned beef ribs are cooked in a slow cooker then coated with a 10 minute homemade BBQ sauce and finished either on the grill or under a broiler. These are super easy to make and can be made ahead.

Have a slow cooker? I actually call it a crockpot because that’s what it was called growing up. Whatever you call it, I feel everyone should have one because you can make these BBQ beef ribs.

This recipe is so easy that anyone can make this and it’s basically foolproof. Even if you don’t like to cook, you should try these BBQ beef ribs.

Start off with a BBQ rub

My BBQ rub is so good, you will want to rub it on anything because whatever you rub it on will be delicious. Make a batch and use what you like then store the rest in an airtight container. I reuse my big spice bottles and relabel them.

Make my 10 minute BBQ sauce

The BBQ rub is also used to make my super delicious BBQ sauce. The sauce takes only 10 minutes to make and there’s no chopping of anything. Just add the ingredients into a small pot and let it cook for 10 minutes. Done and done.

You can store any leftovers and drizzle it over - you guessed it - anything you want to make more delicious.

You can use 1 or 2 racks of beef ribs. It depends on the size of your crockpot or slow cooker. You don’t need a fancy expensive one either. The one I use my Dad's and it’s missing the knob. It does the job and that’s good enough for me.

How to make tender delicious BBQ beef ribs

This is so simple you’re not going to believe it. Let’s go.

Slice the rack into individual ribs. You can see where to cut by looking at the backside of the rack. Simple slice in between the bones. There may be a membrane attached to the rack but I don’t bother to remove it as it helps keep the meat from falling entirely off the bone.

To be clear, we want the meat to be tender and ready to fall off the bone. We don't want it falling off the bone. You want to be able to pick up that rib and devour it like a mad man without it sliding completely off the bone. Otherwise, it wouldn't be called "ribs", it would be called "meat on a plate".

Make the rub by combining all the ingredients in a bowl. You can add them into a jar and shake. I like to reuse my large spice jars and relabel them.

Rub the ribs with a good amount of the BBQ spice. I use a little over ½ cup or 8 - 9 tablespoons.

Transfer the ribs into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for about 5 hours. I’ve cooked them for 6 and 5 ½ hours and they are so tender the bone slid right off. I want the bone to stay on so I can eat it off the bone. 

I’ve never cooked these on high, but if I were to guess, I would check them after 3 hours. If the meat is tender and easily pulled off, they’re good to go.

More delicious beef/lamb to try

Make the sauce

Add all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce into a small pot (1 quart is what I use) and place it over medium high heat. Cook until it starts to bubble then lower the heat to low and continue to cook for about 10 minutes. Make sure to stir it here and there.

Arrange the ribs on a foil covered baking sheet. Give them some room. If you are making two racks, use two baking sheets.

Coat or brush the ribs with BBQ sauce

You can either brush on the sauce or spoon sauce over each rib and use the back of the spoon to spread the sauce. I do the latter because I get to pour a good amount of sauce in one fell swoop instead of brushing it on.

Finish with a broil or on the grill

I’ll be honest here, I simply broil these. If I’m grilling other things like veggies, I’ll use the grill. But for me, it’s easier to just turn the broiler on and broil the ribs for 2 - 4 minutes. 

If I use the grill just for these ribs, I have to light it, wait for it to get hot, then clean the sick mess on the grates. You see what I mean? It’s up to you.

Give these BBQ slow cooked beef ribs a try. You won’t regret it.

SLOW COOKED BBQ BEEF RIBS

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Tender, flavorful, fall-off-the-bone BBQ-seasoned beef ribs are cooked in a slow cooker then coated with a 10 minute homemade BBQ sauce and finished on either the grill or under a broiler. These are super easy to make and can be made ahead.

Each beef rack serves 2.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Author: Natalie Gregory

Equipment Used

slow cooker

Baking Sheet

large tongs

Ingredients

• 1 - 2 racks beef ribs sliced into individual ribs

SWEET AND SPICY BBQ RUB

• ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon granulated onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• ¼ - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

QUICK BBQ SAUCE

• 1 cup ketchup
• ¾ cup brown sugar packed
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup Sweet Spicy BBQ Rub
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

MAKE THE RUB:

• Add all the BBQ rub ingredients in a small bowl and mix until combined. I use a fork to mix to break up any chunks. You can also add all the ingredients into an empty large spice container and shake to mix.

COAT THE RIBS:

• For 1 rack of ribs, add ½ cup or so of the BBQ rub and toss to coat. Double if using 2 racks.
• Transfer the ribs into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for about 5 hours. I’ve cooked them for 6 and 5 ½ hours and they are so tender the bone slid right off. I want the bone to stay on so I can eat it off the bone. 

MAKE THE SAUCE:

• Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium high heat. The moment you see it start to bubble, lower the heat to low to prevent any splatter and cook, stirring every few minutes, for 10 minutes. If you find it still splattering on low heat, partially cover the pan.

PREPARE THE RIBS:

• Transfer ribs onto a foil-lined baking sheet and coat with the Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce.
• You can finish by placing ribs under the broiler for a few minutes until the top is caramelized. Or, you can finish on a medium high grill for about 5 - 10 minutes until beautifully caramelized.
• Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side.

Notes

I cook one rack of ribs in my slow cooker which is enough for two people. I have a large slow cooker and can easily double the recipe. If you’re lucky enough to have two slow cookers/crockpots, you can double, triple, etc.

Nutritional Information

I don't post the nutritional value because I don't trust the accuracy of the nutritional apps. I’m not a nutritionist and don't want to post misinformation.

Did you make this recipe? Tag @thegeneticchef and use #thegeneticchef and tell me all about it!