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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Crock Pot Entree

    Fall off the bone Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe {Video}

    Published: Jan 23, 2013 ยท Updated: Nov 4, 2023 by Tammilee ยท This post may contain affiliate links

    Hereโ€™s a Fall-off-the-Bone Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe! You will not believe how easy it is to make these delicious CrockPot Ribs!

    Fall off the bone slow cooker ribs next to a rack of ribs on a white plate

    Slow Cooker Ribs

    Contents show
    Slow Cooker Ribs
    Preparation and Storage
    Recipe Variations
    Tips for the Best Crock Pot Ribs
    What to Serve with Fall-off-the-Bone Slow Cooker Ribs
    When to Serve
    Top Crock Pot Recipes
    Crock Pot Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe
    Ingredients
    Instructions
    Kitchen Tools
    Nutrition

    This Slow Cooker Rib recipe is so easy and turned out fantastic! I cooked the ribs overnight in the slow cooker for 10 hours.

    One of John's favorite restaurants is Texas Roadhouse. He loves their ribs. Every time we are there, he talks about how they fall off the bone and are just plain delicious.

    The closest Texas Roadhouse is 45 minutes from us. I have a hard time driving 45 minutes for dinner. I decided to make fall-off-the-bone ribs at home.

    We also made Texas Roadhouse Butter and loaded sweet potatoes for a proper restaurant meal at home. LOL

    After researching, I decided to try them in the slow cooker. I figured the low and slow heat would make the meat more apt to fall off the bone, and I was right!

    John said I had to show everyone how nicely the ribs fell off the bone. This recipe will be my go-to rib recipe from now on.

    ribs next to Worcestshire sauce, sherry cooking wine, sweet baby rays bbq sauce.

    Ingredients

    Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients for making epic Fall-off-the-Bone Slow Cooker Ribs! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

    • Ribs
    • Water
    • Cooking Sherry
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • BBQ Sauceย 

    Optional dry rub seasonings - onion powder, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, brown sugar

    Equipment Needed

    • CrockPot: We suggest using a 6-quart crockpot with a digital timer that automatically switches the slow cooker to warm after a set time to ensure your dinner cooks perfectly without stressing about cooking time.ย 
    • Knife - You will want to remove the membrane from the ribs.

    How to Make Fall-off-the-Bone Slow Cooker Ribs

    I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

    ribs covered in barbecue sauce in a crockpot

    1. Place ribs upright in the slow cooker.
    2. Pour ingredients over the ribs. I poured the barbecue sauce last and added some more right before serving.
    3. Cook low and slow in the slow cooker

    rib sticking out of crockpot ribs on a white platter

    John said I had to show everyone just how nicely the rack of ribs fell off the bone. He was in awe of these slow cooker ribs and said they were amazing. We had his Mom over for lunch and they both raved about the slow cooker ribs. This will definitely be my go-to rib recipe from now on.

    Preparation and Storage

    Make-Ahead: This baby back ribs recipe takes ten hours to cook in your CrockPot once you set the timer, making it the perfect make-ahead entree that gives you plenty of buffer time!

    They can be finished off on the grill or in the oven if you want to broil them. They are bone tender so be prepared for them to fall apart coming out of the slow cooker.

    Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three days.

    Freezing/How to Freeze: Freeze your leftover Crock Pot Ribs in an airtight, freezer-safe container and enjoy them within three months. You can wrap them snugly in plastic or aluminum foil for extra insulation against freezer burn.

    How to Reheat: Check out Southern Livingโ€™s guide to reheating ribs for expert tips for handling leftovers. Thaw any leftover portions overnight in the fridge to ensure they reheat evenly.

    ย 

    Recipe Variations

    Substitutions:

    We used Sweet Baby Rayโ€™s barbecue sauce, but you can use any high-quality barbecue sauce you enjoy.

    Vegetarian + Vegan Option: You wonโ€™t be able to use this recipe for slow cooker ribs, as itโ€™s written for meat. However, all it takes is some online research to uncover recipes for meat-free eaters who want vegetarian or vegan ribs.

    Gluten-Free: Sweet Baby Rayโ€™s confirms that many of its products are gluten-free and will be labeled accordingly.

    Alcohol-Free Option: We donโ€™t use alcohol in this recipe, and Sweet Baby Rayโ€™s Original also contains none. However, whiskey and bourbon are common additions that you can try if you want to infuse your slow-cooker ribs with boozy flavor.

    Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: We used three pounds of ribs to yield six servings. Scale the written recipe up or down to your desired yield, working in batches as needed if you scale up.

    Make It Spicy: If you want to use the same brand, look for Sweet Baby Rayโ€™s Sweet โ€˜n Spicy Barbecue Sauce to spice up CrockPot Ribs. Otherwise, any spicy BBQ sauce works!

    Sugar-Free: Use Sweet Baby Rayโ€™s No Sugar Added Original or any other sugar-free BBQ sauce to make this recipe sugar-free.

    Fork pulling meat off of crockpot ribs on a white plate

    Tips for the Best Crock Pot Ribs

    • Don't be surprised that the ribs sink into the slow cooker. I like to set them on their side first to ensure the ingredients coat both sides of the ribs. They get so tender with slow cooking.ย 
    • How much barbecue sauce you put over the ribs is up to you. I like adding a bunch at the beginning and then coating them right before cooking.
    • I use kitchen tongs to remove the ribs from the slow cooker. Be prepared for them to fall apart and drop back into the slow cooker. Having a kitchen rag near you helps to wipe up sauce splatters.
    • If you want your ribs even saucier, you can serve extra sauce on the side in a bowl.

    What to Serve with Fall-off-the-Bone Slow Cooker Ribs

    These CrockPot Ribs are tender, flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion needing a standout meat entree! Here are some menu pairing suggestions.

    Sides: Broccoli Casserole, Apple Stuffing, Carrot Soufflรฉ, BLT Pasta Salad, Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Air Fryer Baked Potato, Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream, Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Yams, Southern Style Green Beans, CrockPot Bourbon Baked Beans

    Main Dishes: CrockPot Chili Mac and Cheese, CrockPot Bacon Mac and Cheese, CrockPot Ham & Cheese Grits, CrockPot Beer Chili, CrockPot Cuban Pork Sandwiches, Buffalo Chicken Wontons, CrockPot Bacon Ranch Chicken, CrockPot Buffalo Sloppy Joes

    Desserts: Red Velvet Brownies, Chocolate Coconut 5 Layer Bars, CrockPot Mixed Berry Cobbler, Black Bean Brownies, Easy Homemade Banana Bread, Salty & Sweet Ruffles Marshmallow Treats, Peanut Butter Bacon Cookies, Molasses Cookies

    Drinks: Coke Slushie, Kool-Aid Slushie, Red Robin Freckled Lemonade, Brazilian Lemonade, Sonic Ocean Water, CopyCat McDonald's Sweet Tea, Watermelon Agua Fresca

    When to Serve

    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Potlucks
    • Family and Friends Gatherings

    Top Crock Pot Recipes

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    Crock Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts

    Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.

    Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for our recipe posts.

    slow cooker ribs on a white plate

    Crock Pot Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

    Delicious easy to make Crock Pot Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe! The entire family will love this meal
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 hours hours
    Total Time: 10 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 745kcal
    Author: Tammilee Tips

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds Ribs
    • 1 cup Water
    • ยผ cup Cooking sherry
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • Barbecue Sauce Sweet Baby Rays
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Place ribs sitting up in the Slow Cooker
    • Pour ingredients over the ribs. I poured the BBQ Sauce last and then added a bit more right before I served the ribs
    • Cook low and slow for 10 hours in the slow cooker.

    Kitchen Tools

    • Slow cooker

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Crock Pot Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 745 Calories from Fat 576
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 64g98%
    Saturated Fat 28g175%
    Cholesterol 170mg57%
    Sodium 150mg7%
    Potassium 524mg15%
    Carbohydrates 2g1%
    Protein 36g72%
    Vitamin A 45IU1%
    Vitamin C 0.3mg0%
    Calcium 26mg3%
    Iron 3.9mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Love this recipe?Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo!

    Recipe originally shared on January 23, 2013. Updated October 2020.

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    About Tammilee

    Lifestyle blogger who travels the world and drinks too much Chai tea. Travel blogger, award winning photographer, sunset hunter, Birkenstock girl, bird nerd
    You can find Tammilee on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hollis Ramsey

      May 17, 2015 at 12:14 am

      it's 3 a.m. and i just had my first bite of slow-cooker ribs with Sweet Baby Ray's Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce. OMG. thank you so much for the tips. i just used water and BBQ sauce, and they really need nothing else, though i'm sure the other ingredients add another layer of flavor. today is my 61st birthday, and i'm going to spend it like a cavewoman -- gnawing on bones and sucking grease off of my fingers!!!

      Reply
    2. kalee r

      August 12, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      We make these all the time but use bourbon instead of sherry. Hey we're from the South lol and Southerners use Bourbon for everything. We also use a southern sweet BBQ sauce like The Shed. The ribs are delicious! we no longer order them at restaurants because we can make them at home.

      Reply
    3. Melissa B

      September 25, 2013 at 7:20 am

      What do you mean set the ribs straight up? I am confused by this for some reason. Want to make these next week. Thank You!

      Reply
      • Tammilee

        September 25, 2013 at 9:27 am

        Hi Melissa, I set the ribs up against the side of the crock pot so they were at a 45 degree angle and not sitting flat on the bottom of the crock pot. I hope this helps

        Reply
        • Denise

          September 26, 2013 at 11:25 am

          I was wondering what you meant by that as well. I can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks!

          Reply
    4. Pam Jeffers

      July 06, 2013 at 4:25 pm

      Do you have to use sherry

      Reply
      • Tammilee

        July 06, 2013 at 5:09 pm

        You could easily make it without the cooking sherry. It just ads a bit of flavor.

        Reply
    5. Denise

      May 23, 2013 at 11:13 am

      I don 't have cooking sherry, is there anything else I could use?

      Reply
    6. Robin W.

      May 19, 2013 at 6:30 am

      Hi I wanted to know, Did you use pork baby back ribs? or beef ribs? And you said you sat them up in the slow cooker is the way they are shown in your picture they way you put them in the slow cooker? Im sorry for all the questions Im a beginner LoL! and this is my first time cooking ribs :o) Yours look so delish! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Tammilee

        May 19, 2013 at 8:12 am

        Hi Robin,
        I used Pork Baby Back Ribs. I sat them straight up and down in the crock pot. Please feel free to ask any questions you have. I am happy to answer them.

        Reply
        • bill rush

          May 24, 2013 at 11:59 am

          I don't understand how you can get the ribs in the crockpot. More than half would be out sticking out.how does that work. Puzzled

          Reply
          • Tammilee

            May 25, 2013 at 9:11 am

            We did not have a problem fitting ribs into our crock pot. They sit at an angle in the crock pot.

            Reply
          • Ann

            November 10, 2022 at 7:05 pm

            You cut the rack of ribs into 3 or 4 rib sections (more ribs can be in a section if they will fit, on edge, in your crock pot. Usually 4 rib sections are a good size for a serving for eating.

            Reply
    7. Judith Perry

      May 11, 2013 at 10:18 am

      How can we print your recipes?

      Reply
      • Sara Swails

        June 15, 2013 at 7:34 pm

        I would like to know how to print this recipe. Fall off the bone Slow Cooker= ribs.

        Reply
        • Tammilee

          June 16, 2013 at 7:55 am

          Hi, You should be able to click on the printer icon at the bottom of the recipe and it will print.

          Reply
    8. Shari G

      April 26, 2013 at 10:03 am

      These look so amazing!!

      Reply
    9. Michelle

      April 16, 2013 at 4:27 am

      I have a rack of ribs in our freezer just calling out for this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing - looks deelish!!!

      Reply
    10. Stacy

      April 12, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Thank you for this recipe!!! My boyfriend is wary of any BBQ recipe that claims to have the meat falling off the bone, but he was completely satisfied with this! Even my 4-year old daughter had some, and she's the pickiest eater of them all. Definitely adding this one to our rotation.

      Reply
      • Tammilee

        April 12, 2013 at 2:18 pm

        Stacy, I am so glad they enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    11. Dell O'Brien

      March 31, 2013 at 4:50 am

      I found this site and this recipe yesterday morning and I'm super excited because they're in my.slow-cooker now- for Easter Dinner!

      Reply
      • Tammilee

        March 31, 2013 at 10:04 am

        Let us know what you think of them. They are a family favorite here.

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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