Dry-Rubbed Slow Cooker Ribs

Last Updated on November 2, 2019 by Annie

These dry-rubbed slow cooker ribs are fall off the bone tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Leave these beauties in your slow cooker and be rewarded for your patience with a rib so delicious you can’t help but drool.

Ribs on a wooden cutting board

Before I tell you all about these wonderful ribs I would like to begin by saying these ribs are entirely JASON’S FAULT. Let me take a moment to tell the tale of how this recipe came to be.

It started out like any other Saturday, I’m looking over the weekly ShopRite circular deciding what will be on the menu for the week and what will not. Sale items on the menu, non-sale items off. Why I ask Jason for his input is sometimes beyond me. But marriage is a partnership so… When I passed the paper to Jason he noticed something on sale I had not, Pork Ribs. Here is where it gets interesting.

I have never made ribs. Jason has never made ribs. And neither of us want to put in a ton of effort in making ribs. BUT Jason has a friend that makes his ribs in the slow cooker “so we can make them that way too!” Mind you, no recipe, simply because Nick makes them in the crock pot we can too. So, obviously, “we” (read Jason) picked up the ribs and went on our merry way.

Raw Dry-Rubbed Slow Cooker Ribs in a crock pot

Now “we” were supposed to make these ribs Thursday. Then “we” were going to make them Friday. When Saturday morning rolled around and the ribs were still untouched in the fridge it was clear we needed a different strategy. As I mentioned earlier, a marriage is a partnership, so WE (read both of us) set to making these ribs and were rewarded with fall off the bone, tender ribs.

Dry-Rubbed Slow Cooker Ribs on a cutting board with the bone hanging out
The meat seriously just falls off the bone y’all.

Pro Tips for Making Dry-Rubbed Slow Cooker Ribs

Prop the ribs upright in the slow cooker. It keeps the ribs from getting soggy on the bottom. Alternatively, you can ball up aluminum foil and rest the ribs on the foil to prevent them cooking in their juices.
-If you do not have 7-8 hours to cook them on low you can crank it to high for 4 hours.
Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes after cooking in the crock pot to crisp up the edges.

Did you make these delicious Slow Cooker Ribs? Feel free to share your creations with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can share your life after dairy adventures!

Recipes you Might Serve with Ribs

Pico de Gallo
Texas Caviar

Dry-Rubbed Slow Cooker Ribs

These dry-rubbed ribs are anything but dry. Cooked in your slow cooker you are just 8 hours away from the perfect slow cooked snack!

Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword BBQ, Dairy-Free, Game Day, Pork Ribs, Ribs, Slow Cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours

Ingredients

  • 3½ lbs Bone in Pork Ribs

Dry Rub Seasoning

  • 1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. Paprika
  • 2 Tbsp. Chili Powder
  • ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
  • ½ tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp. Cayenne Powder
  • 1 Tbsp. Salt
  • 1 Tbsp. Oregano
  • 1 tsp. Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Begin by making your dry rub seasoning. In a small bowl mix all spices together evenly.

  2. Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel.

  3. Sprinkle the rub onto the ribs and rub it in. Make sure all of the ribs are coated in the dry rub before moving to the next step.

  4. In a slow cooker, prop the ribs up on the bone to prevent the ribs sagging and laying in their juices.

  5. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours.

  6. Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Chop and serve!

  7. Optional- When the time is done, place the rack of ribs in the oven, on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes to give an extra crispy finish.

Recipe Notes

You can use beef ribs in place of pork if you wish.

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