Description
Tender and flavorful slow cooker barbequed beef ribs cooked to perfection with a rich blend of spices and a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce, making them fall-off-the-bone delicious every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Rub
- 3–4 lbs beef back ribs or short ribs
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Barbecue Sauce Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (plus extra for serving)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix thoroughly to create the spice rub.
- Apply the Rub to Ribs: Pat the beef ribs dry with paper towels. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the ribs, pressing it firmly into the meat to ensure full flavor penetration.
- Place Ribs in Slow Cooker: Arrange the seasoned ribs in a 6-quart slow cooker, layering if necessary but avoiding overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
- Mix and Pour Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the ribs, making sure they are well coated.
- Slow Cook the Ribs: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours. The ribs are done when they are tender and easily falling off the bone.
- Broil to Caramelize (Optional): Carefully remove the ribs and place them on a baking sheet. Broil under high heat for 3–5 minutes to caramelize the barbecue sauce, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Brush ribs with additional barbecue sauce if desired and serve hot for a deliciously saucy finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the ribs with the dry rub overnight before cooking.
- Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce; both smoky and sweet variations work wonderfully.
