Some of my family members are going to be shocked out of their mind to see this recipe on here. “What?! Stacy HATES ribs!” And yes, my friend…it is true. Ribs make me want to yak.
BUT, I love cooking for my man. And my man loves ribs. For the same reason I made myself learn how to make Chicken and Dumplings, I occasionally cook ribs – for Barry. The way to a man’s heart is through his ribs…medically and emotionally. Ha!
There are lots of different ways to prepare ribs, but I like the ease of this recipe. No boiling and then baking and then basting. Nope…none of that mess. Just plop these babies in the crock and then thicken the sauce later. That’s it. You’re welcome.
This recipe uses a dry rub that’s massaged into the meat. This meat is dead and it’s getting a massage. Does that seem wrong to anyone else? I’d like a massage too, please – minus the garlic…and the whole dead thing.
I once saw an advertisement for Boston Butt dry rub that said “Everything is better with a little butt rub.” How true. How very true.
You’re going to make a homemade barbecue sauce to pour over the meat – it cooks in this sauce all day long…and it smells pretty stinkin’ good, even for someone who hates ribs. Later, when the meat is done, we’ll thicken the sauce to serve over the meat.
Stinkin’ good. Is that an oxymoron?
My ribs were too big to fit all in one layer, so I had two layers. No sweat – they still cooked up fine.
I used country-style ribs for this particular batch but you can use any cut of ribs that you want. Make it beef or make it pork. But probably not chicken.
Cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, get one today. They make life easier…no more wondering if the middle of the meat is still frozen.
Remove the ribs when done and thicken the sauce using a cornstarch/water mixture. I used organic cornstarch from Vitacost. But you could also use arrowroot. The truth is I grabbed the cornstarch first out of the cabinet. That’s pretty good reasoning for me.
Serve meat with sauce poured over top. I DID eat some…mostly because I was hungry. I ate mine without the sauce, but Barry poured his sauce over top. And he enjoyed every bite.
And I got a kiss. And THAT my friends, is why I cook ribs.
Easy Crock Pot Ribs
- 5 pounds ribs, any style
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons sucanat (or brown sugar)
- 5 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons water
- Combine garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Rub into meat.
- Lay ribs in the bottom of a 5-6 quart greased crock pot. Layer if necessary.
- Combine sucanat, ketchup, water, Worcestershire, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Pour over meat.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours – until meat has a temperature of 170 degrees.
- Remove meat from crock and keep warm.
- Skim grease from sauce if desired (I don’t).
- Combine cornstarch and water. Stir into juices.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes or until thickened. Serve sauce over meat.
Oh.my.word. These are so good! My husband won’t stop raving about these to everyone. He even says they are better than ribs from the smoker! That’s a high compliment.
Yeah it is! Tell him I said THANKS! 🙂
P.S. I’m glad you’re back. I missed you. 🙂
🙂 Thanks.
Most cheese is “Stinkin Good” so nope, not an oxymoron in my book…LOL
12 years of marriage and I have never made ribs. Made these last night and they were a huge hit with the family. Thank you so much for the recipe!
These are great ribs! I do not measure, I splash and dash. Even my picky hubby who does not like bbq loves them with out the sauce on top.
Thanks for the great recipe.
I’m glad you’re able to find something that works for you!
Question-
I am trying to freeze a bunch of premmade dinners in advance before my twins are born. I love the idea of this recipe and wanted to know- if you already have ribs frozen in the freezer, how do you size them down to fit in your crockpot? ( mine is smaller in the bottom and larger at the top- an oval shape)
I am thinking I will have to defrost them to cut them to size to layer? Have any better ideas??
Thanks:)
Yes, I would defrost and cut to size. I very RARELY put frozen meat in my crock. 🙂
The easy crockpot ribs were a huge winner with my family & my husband doesn’t like ribs that much!! THANKS!!!
Hooray!!! 🙂
Do you have a thermometer you can recommend? I have gone through more then I care to admit, they are fine for a bit, then the temp is badly off. I really need one for yogurt!
I use my candy thermometer for yogurt. It’s a TruTemp brand and it works well. My meat thermometer is a Pelouze and I picked it up at a food trade show. I love my thermometers…keeps me from serving raw meat – which I would totally do otherwise. LOL
Thanks for this recipe. I like finding good crockpot recipes and this one is a keeper. These turned out tender and yummy!
I’m so glad! 🙂
Can the meat be frozen or will it water down the sauce that way?
I used frozen meat…that’s why I thickened the sauce because it was watery. 🙂
Just bought a big package of boneless ribs “used” (my family’s name for day old or marked down, as in “used bread store”), was wondering what I was going to do with them…now I know! These look delicious, and bet the leftovers will freeze well. BTW, got your cookbook, very nice, and signed by you, a surprise bonus. I am 54 years old and have never cooked healthy, but am pleased to say that I have accomplished my first Christmas with NO processed cheese spread (you know the brand) or cream of _____ soups!!!! And neither were missed.
LOL Oh my goodness! Used! BHAHAHAHAHA! I’m totally using that phrase now.
Why don’t you like ribs? I’ve gotta know! 😉
Oh, and this looks fantastic! I pinned and tweeted it to the rib-lovin’ world.
That’s because you rock. 🙂
They taste nasty. That’s why. 🙂
Stacy, I totally hear on cooking for your man! I have been making mine some of his most favorite foods and let’s just say it is working out well for me. lol Either he will not desire to trade me in or he will be too heavy to get away. (Just kidding) He is tall and thin.
LOL Oh my gosh! That was a complete hoot!