These fall-off-the-bone tender Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs are perfectly seasoned and slathered in a sweet and tangy homemade BBQ sauce. They're cooked low and slow, then finished in the oven for a delicious caramelized touch.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Crockpot Baby Back Ribs
• 🔪 How to Make Ribs in the Slow Cooker
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Crockpot BBQ Ribs
• 💡 Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• How Do I Know My Ribs Are Done?
• Can I Make This Recipe Without A Slow Cooker?
• How Many Baby Back Ribs Do I Need Per Person?
• Should My Ribs Be Submerged in Liquid While Cooking?
• Can Ribs Be Overcooked in the Slow Cooker?
• 🍽️ More Keto Slow Cooker Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

• Fall off the bone tender baby back ribs
• Perfectly seasoned with a BBQ dry rub
• Slathered in a homemade low carb BBQ sauce
• Caramelized in the oven as a finishing touch
• Super easy to make with minimal prep work

These crockpot ribs are absolutely phenomenal, and the best part is that they’re incredibly easy to make! Starting with a homemade dry rub, they're infused with amazing smoky, savory BBQ flavor. Then, they're coated with a finger-licking sauce that soaks into the meat as they cook.

Cooked low and slow, these ribs come out with a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that's downright heavenly. After cooking, a quick trip under the broiler perfectly caramelizes the sugar-free BBQ sauce, creating some of the best ribs you'll ever taste. They're tender, sweet, tangy, sticky, and, oh, so good!

Looking for more delicious rib recipes? Check out my Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs and Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs for even more mouthwatering options!

🛒 Ingredients for Crockpot Baby Back Ribs

• Baby back ribs
• Keto BBQ Spice Dry Rub
• Keto BBQ Sauce

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Slow cooker
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

🔪 How to Make Ribs in the Slow Cooker

Trim any excess fat off of your ribs and pat them completely dry with paper towels.

Remove the membrane from the back of your rack of baby back ribs and discard it.  It’s easiest to do this using a paper towel, as it helps to get a firm grasp on it.

Cut the rack of ribs in half (or thirds), depending on the size of your slow cooker insert. Take the BBQ Spice Dry Rub and rub it over all sides of the ribs.

Place each section in your slow cooker insert.

Then take some of your BBQ sauce and spread it over the top. Layer in the remaining section(s), repeating the process.

Add the cover on and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, or until they are tender.

Once they’re ready, preheat your oven to 450°F and place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Take the remaining BBQ sauce and spread it over the tops, then bake until caramelized.  This should take about 5–7 minutes. If you really want a thick layer of the sauce, which I personally love, add more BBQ sauce and bake for another 5-7 minutes.

Once slightly cooled, slice and serve.

☑️ Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Allow the cooked ribs to cool down to room temperature. Wrap the ribs tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Store the ribs in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

• Freezer: Allow the cooked ribs to cool down completely to room temperature. Wrap the ribs with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Label the package with the date and contents. Store the ribs in the freezer for up to 2–3 months.

• Reheating: If frozen, thaw the ribs overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Preheat your oven to around 300°F. Place the ribs in a baking dish or on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place in the oven for about 20–30 minutes.

🍴 What to Serve with Crockpot BBQ Ribs

• Classic BBQ sides: Easy Homemade Coleslaw and Cauliflower “Potato” Salad are always go-to choices.

• Grilled or roasted vegetables: Grilled Broccolini, Air Fryer Broccoli, Cauliflower Steaks, or Cabbage Steaks will be a hit with any BBQ main dish.

• Salads: Broccoli Salad, Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad, and Mediterranean Cucumber Salad are all light and refreshing options.

• Bread: Homemade Keto Dinner Rolls or Keto Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread pair perfectly with these ribs.

💡 Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

• Removing the membrane from the back of the ribs is crucial for tenderizing the meat and allowing flavors to penetrate the meat. It will only take a couple of minutes, but it is well worth it.

• When purchasing baby back ribs, look for ribs with plenty of meat on the bone and minimal fat. To ensure even cooking, try to choose a slab that is relatively uniform in thickness.

• Opening the lid of a slow cooker can cause a significant loss of heat and increase the cooking time. Resist the temptation to check on them until right before time is up.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

Ribs: St. Louis style ribs and spare ribs can be cooked the same way, though you will need to adjust the cooking time.

Herbs: Enhance the dry rub with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano.

Liquid smoke: Give the ribs extra smoky flavor by adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the bottom of the slow cooker or into the BBQ sauce.

Apple cider vinegar: Include a splash of apple cider vinegar in the slow cooker for a bit of tanginess and to help tenderize the meat.

Spicy kick: Add a kick of heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the sauce.

Mustard: Brush ribs with mustard before applying the dry rub to help it stick and to give the ribs a subtle, tangy flavor.

How Do I Know My Ribs Are Done?

These ribs are done cooking when the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone. You can test for doneness by inserting a fork or knife into the meat. It should slide in and out easily.

Can I Make This Recipe Without A Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! While the slow cooker method is convenient, you can also cook the ribs in the oven. Simply adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly, and follow the same steps for seasoning and finishing with BBQ sauce.

How Many Baby Back Ribs Do I Need Per Person?

Plan on serving about ½ to ¾ of baby back ribs per person. This is typically about 3 to 4 ribs, depending on their size.

Should My Ribs Be Submerged in Liquid While Cooking?

No, it's not necessary for the ribs to be submerged in liquid when cooking them in a slow cooker. In fact, submerging them can lead to overly soggy and waterlogged ribs.

Can Ribs Be Overcooked in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, ribs can be overcooked in a slow cooker if left in the cooker for too long. Slow cookers are designed to cook food at low temperatures over an extended period of time. However, if ribs are cooked for too long, they can become mushy and fall apart.

🍽️ More Keto Slow Cooker Recipes

• Tuscan Chicken
• Chicken Soup
• Turkey Breast with Gravy
• Southern Green Beans
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• BBQ Meatballs