Best Crockpot Beef ribs recipe (2024)

Check out this super simple, tasty and delightful Delicious Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe. This Best Crockpot Beef ribs recipe delivers a little sweeter rib meat than you may be used to, as they use brown sugar.

These are very close to fall of the bone. I'd say they are, because if you quickly grab a bone, it slides right out!

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Delicious Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

Hold on to your hats because this Best Crockpot Beef ribs recipe is sure to take you away! Ribs have long time been a favorite at barbecues. I mean, what's a barbecue without ribs? I chose to cook this meal as a way to celebrate the beginning of summer.

Originally I was going to cook some ribs on the grill, but lo and behold my gas grill was out of propane. I guess it worked out well because it is about 100 degrees here and I really wasn't looking forward to standing over the grill in that heat.

Besides, it is mosquito season and I am not too fond of the idea of having flies constantly land on the plate.

I am fortunate to have good neighbors and I like to have them over every summer to kick back and relax while I do the work. It's my way of saying "Thank you".

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Delicious Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

This recipe is on the sweet side, so I chose to make some homemade coleslaw, spicy baked beans, corn on the cobs and dinner rolls. These side items went nicely with these ribs, but of course, you can choose whatever sides you would like to make.

What I really like about this recipe is the use of the apricot preserves. Normally I would have never thought of using that as an ingredient, and although sweet, it added a little tart to the sauce.

The Worcestershire sauce is usually an ingredient I use with every meat for barbecues, as it offers that unique taste and soaks into the meat very well. And the brown sugar coupled with the ketchup makes these ribs extra sweet and sticky!

Looking for other Quick & Easy recipes to serve alongside my Best Crockpot Beef ribs recipe?

Check out these crock pot, slow cooker and instant pot recipes that I have shared over the years, like our Crockpot Baked Potatoes Recipe. They are all tried and true recipes that I have made over the years, or my trusty food writers have made.

Instant Pot & Ninja Foodi Recipes

Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese Recipe
Slow Cooker Cheesy Spinach And Artichoke Dip Recipe
Slow Cooker Meatball Subs

Make sure you have plenty of wet naps, you will need it! This was the perfect portion size as it was just a small gathering, myself and 4 close neighbors. Sometimes less is more!

Not only would they not be outside in that wicked heat, but they wouldn't be getting chewed alive by those horrible creatures we call mosquitoes! No one wants to be eaten at the barbecue!

How to make this Delicious Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

Ingredients needed to make this Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe :

3-4 lb pork ribs
1 cup water
1 onion, chopped
1 cup apricot preserves
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper

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Directions for making this Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe :

Add 1 cup water to your slow cooker. Use kitchen shears to cut the ribs in half so they fit into your slow cooker. Place in slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle onions on top.

In a small bowl, add preserves, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.

Spread onto the ribs in the slow cooker. Sprinkle onions on top.

Set the cooker to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours and cook the ribs.

This Delicious Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe serves 4-6 people.

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Delicious Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

Jennifer

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Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Servings 4

Ingredients

3-4 lb pork ribs
1 cup water
1 onion chopped
1 cup apricot preserves
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper

Instructions

Add 1 cup water to your slow cooker. Use kitchen shears to cut the ribs in half so they fit into your slow cooker. Place the ribs in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the onions on top.
In a small bowl, add the apricot preserves, the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and the Worcestershire sauce. Mix it very well. Spread it onto the ribs in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the onions on top.
Set the cooker to low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours and cook the ribs.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

FAQs

Should ribs be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

Don't worry that the ribs go into the slow cooker without liquid; the heat is gentle enough that the ribs do not burn, and the meat releases liquid as it cooks, so it braises in its own spiced juices. (You could also make these ribs in a pressure cooker by following this recipe.)

Do beef ribs get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

This flavoursome fat and connective tissue means that beef short ribs need long, slow cooking in order to become tender. Once fully cooked, however, they are particularly soft - the meat can be easily pulled away from the bones with little effort and cut through with a spoon.

Read The Full Story ›

Why are my ribs not tender in slow cooker? ›

There's no need to cover your ribs in liquid when slow cooking them. Add a bit to the bottom of the crockpot to keep things steamy inside the crockpot, but you won't cover the ribs. Why are my ribs not tender in the slow cooker? Ribs that aren't tender are usually a result of undercooking.

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Can you cook ribs too long in a crockpot? ›

Can You Slow Cook Ribs Too Long? Yes, just like oven baked ribs, if you leave them in the crockpot for too long they can become dry and tough. This will likely not happen, but it is possible. So just use the timer on your crockpot if it has one or set your own.

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What is the best liquid to cook ribs in? ›

Add water, apple juice (or apple cider vinegar) and liquid smoke (optional, but recommended for that great smokey flavor). Place the ribs upright, with the meat side facing out. If you're using one large rack of ribs, then circle them around the pot.

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What liquid do you put in a slow cooker? ›

To ensure the dinner cooks correctly and doesn't get soggy, decrease the amount of liquids you add. Usually only ½ to 1 cup of liquid does the trick. And, for extra flavorful results, try using liquid like broth, wine, or juice, instead of just plain water.

Know More ›

What is the best way to tenderize beef ribs? ›

Braising, which is actually slow simmering (after browning in a bit of oil or butter), brings irresistibly tender and boldly flavored results to this meaty cut of beef. Because short ribs require long, slow cooking for tenderness and flavor, braising is the perfect technique for cooking them.

What is the secret to tender ribs? ›

The secret to incredibly tender ribs is baking them low and slow. Baking ribs in the oven is so easy. 95% of the cooking time is spent relaxing while your ribs transform into fall-off-the-bone perfection.

Why are my beef ribs always tough? ›

When it comes to cooking these chunks of beef, there is a right way and a wrong way. If they aren't braised long enough, they can be super tough to eat; if they are cooked too long, the meat will just fall apart.

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Should you sear ribs before slow cooking? ›

🙂 To give these ribs an extra layer of flavor, I sear them in a wicked hot skillet first, and then lay them on a layer of chopped onions in the slow cooker.

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Should ribs be submerged in slow cooker? ›

Cooking in the Slow Cooker

The ribs don't need to swim in liquid, but they should be moistened well — a cup or two of liquid is sufficient, depending on the size of your cooker and the number of ribs.

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Can I cook beef ribs in 3 hours? ›

Beef ribs can cook well and easily in about 3 hours time.

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Can I cook ribs for 12 hours? ›

You can get very juicy ribs by cooking them at 135 degrees, but making them tender takes two or three days. At 160 degrees, you get tender ribs in 10 to 12 hours. At 170 to 180 degrees, the meat is noticeably dryer, but the cooking time is a more manageable 6 to 8 hours.

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Should liquid always cover meat in slow cooker? ›

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables.

Do you cover pork with liquid in slow cooker? ›

Pour the water, around, but not on top of, the pork. Scatter the garlic and onion around the pork. Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the meat is tender and can be easily shredded, 10 to 12 hours.

Get More Info Here ›

Should I put liquid in with ribs? ›

If your BBQ doesn't have a water pan, it is suggested to place a pan of water or apple juice in with the ribs. Smoke for 3 hours at around 210-225 degrees. Regularly spray your ribs with apple juice to keep your ribs from drying out.

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Should you cover ribs when slow cooking? ›

Do you bake ribs covered or uncovered? You can cook ribs either covered with foil or uncovered. Foil is used to stop the meat from drying out but is not essential.

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