Fork Tender Barbecue Beef Back Ribs Made in the Crock Pot
I know it’s January, and most people are craving chicken and dumpling, or making pot pies, but lately my family and I have been on a barbecue kick. I don’t know what it is about us and ribs, but we can go for it ribs, and at any time. The only issue is, I live in the NW and it’s too cold and wet for me to be outside grilling ribs. So I what did I do? I did the unthinkable – and made slow cooked barbecue beef back ribs in my Crock Pot!
I know what you’re thinking… ” Barbecue ribs, in the slow cooker?! Rosie you’re officially trippin’!” . But I assure you that these ribs are the BOMB.COM. Besides, this would be the first time I made ribs in my Crock Pot. Check out my Pork Spare Ribs if you haven’t already ….
I kid you not- These are the best beef back ribs you will ever make!! Not only are these ribs fool proof, but they come out perfect every single time. If you live in an apartment, and are unable to fire up a grill, this recipe is a winner.. Heck, even if you’re able to fire up a grill- give this recipe a try. It’s less work, and you still get the same , if not better, taste that you’d get from the grill. Don’t believe me? Try it out yourself. You can thank me later!
NEED A VISUAL?! WATCH ME MAKE IT!

Slow Cooked Beef Back Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs of beef back ribs
- 18 oz bottle of barbecue sauce
- 27 - 36 oz of water
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 2 tsp seasoning salt OR salt free seasoning
- a few drops of Liquid smoke optional
Instructions
- Cut the ribs into sections, then rinse the meat under cool water.
- Pat dry the meat, then sprinkle the seasonings onto the meat.
- Place the ribs into the Crock Pot, then pour in the barbecue sauce, and water.
- Add a few drops of liquid smoke, then cover the Crock Pot, and set it on high for 8 hours.
- After the 8 hours, the ribs are done.
- Carefully remove the ribs from the Crock Pot, and serve!
I can’t wait for one of these networks to hurry up and put you on! Literally, put you on! You need your own show darlin!
That would be lovely! 😉
I Rosie,just saying once again…I am your number one fan…I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…if it were not for you I don’t know what I would do…P.S. tell your husband that I’m gonna marry you…lol
LOL!! Thanks Louis!
Hi Rosie. What is liquid smoke? Where can I buy it from?
You can buy it at any local grocery store.
My husband made this a few days ago….meat was falling off the bones and it was so delicious!
I find your video’s more interesting than most on TV. I can’t stop watching. Very inspiring. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!!
Would I be able to make this on high for 4 hours using the crockpot? Trying to make this tonight.
I’m nervous using so much water. It doesn’t end up watery starting with more water than bbq sauce?
Everything is shown in the video hun.
Is there a link to print the recipe for the slow cook ribs. Would someone please send me the link to print it.
I fixed it. The recipe is there.
Thank you Rosie
Hi there, if I make half of the recipe, do I need to cut the cooking time in half as well?
No. The cooking time would remain the same.
Hey Mrs.Lady your ribs look oh so good and juicy and tender I will be making these next weekend can you make these in the oven if so what temp would I cook them on and for how long and do I cook them covered or uncovered.
Hi Felicia! I don’t have a baked beef rib recipe uploaded. I’ll upload one in the future. 🙂
Ok Mrs.Lady thanks I’ll try these and let you know how they came out keep up the good work ion showing and sharing your recipes with us
8 hours on High or 8 hours on low?
On high.
Wow! I have just left the table after using this fabulous slow cooked beef back ribs recipe. Unbelievable!
This recipe is a keeper. It’s so true, fall off the fork kinda or ribs.
Thanks you Rosie.
Hi Irene! I’m glad that you liked the recipe!
So the ribs come out that color by just putting it in the slow cooker? I was thinking about searing/browning them before I put them in a slow cooker. Yay or nay? I also did your smothered oxtails recipe and it was awesome!!!!
Yes they did. However, you can sear them if you’d like.
I’m trying this recipe today, love the video and the simplicity to this recipe but I really wanted to know the purpose of the rinse if the meat is already clean and properly butchered? Which leads me to my next question of the importance of “pat drying “the meat which I did with some paper towels ?
It’s just something that I do. If you want to skip the step you can.
Is there a brand of BBQ sauce you prefe? Trying tnight
Ooh too many to name. LOL
Sweet baby ray is my preference ‼️
Can I use boneless beef ribs for this? If so do I keep everything the same as mentioned in recipe? Thanks Rosie
Yes for everything! XOXO
These came out soooo delicious! My family and I loved it. I accidentally left it cooking an extra hour but it turned out fine. The meat was falling off the bone and filled with lots of juicy goodness. We broiled them with extra bbq sauce and it was just spectacular. I will definitely be making these again.. in fact today haha thank you for sharing a wonderful and simple recipe!
Thanks for trying my recipe Angelica!
I’m soooooooo looking forward to making these today, actually will be placing them in the slow cooker in about an hour. Quick question, I’ve never used liquid smoke and I am getting different reviews on in. Do it make or break the recipe?
If you want smokey flavor I suggest using it. You can also skip it if your iffy about it. Just make sure that you have a nice BBQ sauce 🙂
These ribs were AWESOME! So thankful I found this recipe. Even my 2 year old son who barely eats meat and never eats beef was asking for 2nds…and 3rds! That alone sold me. Tried this recipe after finding a rack of ribs on sale randomly. Plus it was a snow day @ the end of May. Typical Colorado. Followed the recipe almost to a T. Only changes I made were I added coriander and ground mustard. Similar spices we use for prime rib. Other than that I did exactly as told and it was super easy. I for one will definitely be trying more recipes from this site and from yourself. Thank you for sharing!
Oh, and yes the ribs come out with that beautiful color and “sear” just from being in the slow cooker. Real talk…. These are simply AMAZING!
Hi Mike! I’m so glad that you and the family enjoyed my recipe!
Thank you! I just got married a few days ago, and also started a 2nd job, so thank you for giving me the AMAZING ribs that I could do in a crockpot with only a few minutes of my time! My 1st successful dinner! Lol…
OMG good. Thank you.
Can I use chicken instead? If so, I would just need to adjust the cooking time right?
I have a slow cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe as well.
I am a novice cook, I made this recipe today. The meat is so tender and so juicy. Amazing! Thank you Rosie! Merry Christmas!
Can i give it 10 stars?? AMAZING and soooo easy!!! I am going to check out Notre of your recipes. Thank you for letting regular people create delicious meals
I meant “more” of your recipes!
Hi! When you cut your ribs into sections, did you cut the slab of ribs into the individual ribs and then cut each individual one in half, or did you just cut your slab of ribs into individual ribs? I’m sorry I can’t tell based on the size. They look kind of small.
Hi Jill! I cute them in individual ribs.
Amazing. Can I ask what brand barbeque sauce you use? We are in Australia so keen to find something close.
What a wonderful recipe. The ribs are tasty and fall-off-the-bone tender. Love it.
Doubled everything except the time. Delicious fall off the bone on high in 6 hours. Thank you!
Great recipe.. Great flavor.- Quick and easy to make. Fall off the bone tender. Perfect.
Thanks for trying my recipe!
Very delicious and tender..always my ho to if I don’t want the hassle of the grill..
Made this for dinner….yummy!!!!
Looks good! Did you have a lot of sauce left?
Hi neighbor Rosie! I adore beef back ribs. They’re my favorite! Why are they so darn expensive but nevertheless, when I see them, it makes my day! I will definitely be doing your recipe, but don’t laugh….I’ll convert it to my Instant Pot. In 45 minutes, the meat falls off the bone. I hope you’re doing well this beautiful summer day. How about that storm last night?!?
Thanks again my dear!
Very good. I wasnt sure what the difference in beef back and regular until you made this recipe.
Wow, the depth of beef flavor I crave I was able to achieve with your recipe. Bought the beef back ribs on sale and by the looks of them I thought I wasn’t going to have much meat to eat, but your recipe and my crockpot came through and produced a wonderful meal.
I did add a couple more herbs – thyme and rosemary, used chicken and vegetable broth instead of water and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce.
Thanks very much,
M