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    Home » Meat Recipes » Slow Cooker Beef Ribs

    Slow Cooker Beef Ribs

    Last updated: Apr 12, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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    When you cook beef ribs in the slow cooker they come out tender, succulent, and so very flavorful.

    I cook them slowly for several hours, then baste them with the pan juices and briefly broil them to brown the fat.

    Beef ribs photographed on a white background.

    A couple of years ago, I spotted gorgeous beef ribs at Whole Foods and bought them without the faintest idea of how to make them.

    At home, after some research, I developed the following recipe, which resulted in tender, succulent, and very flavorful ribs.

    It's so good, that I've been making it regularly ever since. Apart from being super tasty, these ribs are also very easy to make, and I love the fact that leftovers are REALLY good - almost better than the freshly cooked dish.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variation
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to cook beef ribs in the slow cooker. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Beef back ribs: I usually get them at the meat counter at Whole Foods.
    • Smoked salt: This ingredient is non-negotiable. The smoky flavor it adds greatly enhances this dish.
    • To season: Black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika (also very important), ground cumin, and dried thyme.
    The ingredients needed to cook beef ribs in the slow cooker.

    Instructions

    Cooking beef ribs in the slow cooker is so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    Your first step is to cut the rack into individual ribs. You can remove the thin membrane from the bone side of the ribs, but it's not mandatory, and I typically don't.

    A photo collage showing steps 1-4 for slow cooking beef ribs.

    Now, mix the salt and spices and season the tops of the ribs, gently pressing to help the spices adhere.

    Add some water to the slow cooker pan, then layer the ribs in the pan. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.

    A photo collage showing steps 5-8 for cooking beef ribs in the slow cooker.

    Transfer the cooked ribs to a rimmed baking sheet. Baste them with the pan juices, then briefly broil them to brown and crisp them up. That's it! Dinner is ready.

    A photo collage showing steps 9-12 for making slow cooker beef ribs.

    Expert tip

    Using smoked salt and smoked paprika in this recipe is a must. They both impart a subtle but wonderful smoky flavor to the ribs. They really do greatly enhance this dish.

    You can buy the salt on Amazon - a link is provided in the recipe card below. Smoked paprika is available in most supermarkets.

    Frequently asked questions

    Should I remove the membrane from the ribs?

    Beef back ribs have a thin membrane attached to the bone side. You can remove it if you wish. But it gets considerably soft in the slow cooker, does not interfere with eating the ribs, and helps them stay intact. So I don't remove it.

    What is the best way to cook beef ribs?

    I like to use the slow cooker. These ribs are wonderful thanks to being cooked for several hours in very low heat and in a moist environment. You can't cook these ribs quickly - if you do, the meat would be tough and unpleasantly chewy.

    Can I cook these ribs faster?

    You can try cooking them on HIGH for 3-4 hours. But it won't be the same. It's best to make this recipe on a day when you have the time to cook them on LOW for the full six hours.

    Variation

    You can cook these ribs with BBQ sauce if you wish. Personally, I'm not a fan, because these ribs are so wonderfully flavorful and I don't want a sweet-tasting sauce to mask their flavor.

    But if you'd like to try, season the ribs with just salt and pepper. Then spoon barbecue sauce on top of each rib - use a total of about 1 cup. Cook them for 6 hours on LOW. Once cooked, spoon some more BBQ sauce on top of each rib (use a total of about ½ cup) and briefly broil them.

    Serving suggestions

    You can serve these ribs with any side you like! They're very versatile. Personally, I like to serve them with any of the following side dishes:

    • Loaded mashed cauliflower
    • Cauliflower potato salad
    • Creamed spinach

    Storing leftovers

    Leftovers keep well in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, on 50% power.

    A close up of five cooked beef ribs with exposed bones.

    Related recipes

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      Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks
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      Boneless Short Ribs

    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Slow cooker beef ribs shown on a white background.
    4.99 from 381 votes
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    Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe

    These beef ribs are tender, succulent, and very flavorful. They are cooked in the slow cooker, then briefly broiled to brown the fat.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time6 hours hrs
    Total Time6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 816kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 lb. beef back ribs (7-8 ribs)

    Seasoning mix:

    • 2 teaspoons smoked salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

    Instructions

    • If your ribs came in a full rack, use a well-sharpened butcher’s knife or chef’s knife to cut them into individual ribs, as shown in the video below.
    • You can remove the thin membrane from the bone side of the ribs, but this membrane helps prevent the ribs from falling apart and is considerably softened in the slow cooker. I don't remove it.
    • Season the tops of the ribs with the seasoning mix, pressing to help the spices adhere to the meat.
    • Layer the ribs in the slow cooker pan. Add ½ cup of water to the bottom of the pan.
    • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
    • Fit an oven rack 6 inches below the broiler element (not directly below) and heat your broiler on high (500°F).
    • Arrange the ribs on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Baste them with the cooking liquids. Broil the ribs briefly to brown them, for about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    The nutrition info assumes that the entire rib is eaten - lean and fat parts. 
    Variation: use BBQ sauce
    Season the ribs with just salt and pepper. Then spoon barbecue sauce on top of each rib - use a total of about 1 cup. Add ½ cup water to the bottom of the slow cooker pan, layer the ribs in the pan, and cook them on LOW for 6 hours.
    Once cooked, transfer the ribs to a rimmed foil-lined baking sheet, spoon some more BBQ sauce on top of each rib (use a total of about ½ cup) and broil them 6 inches below the heating element for 2-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them so that they don't burn. 
    Leftovers: 
    The leftovers keep well in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power.

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    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 2ribs | Calories: 816kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 66g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Sodium: 840mg
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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kym Snelling

      September 14, 2023 at 6:40 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe in its simplicity! I only made a couple of adjustments. I broiled the ribs for about 7 minutes on each side before I slow-cooked them. Also, instead of using water in the bottom of my crockpot, I used beef broth. My family really enjoyed them.

      Reply
      • Vered DeLeeuw

        September 14, 2023 at 8:48 pm

        I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe, Kym! Thank you for leaving a comment.

        Reply

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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