crockpot bbq ribs

BBQ ribs are one of those things that when they're good, they're gooooooood.  And these crockpot ribs are some of the best!  They are simple, easy and oh so delicious.  When you are cooking meats, the slower and longer you cook them, the juicier and more tender they become.  The easiest way to make some fall-off-the-bone delicious BBQ ribs is in your crockpot!  There are 2 key secrets in making these mouth watering BBQ ribs: 1. Make your own BBQ sauce! None of that store bought stuff.  BBQ sauce is fairly simple to make and when you make it yourself it makes a HUGE difference in how the ribs come out and 2. After the ribs are done cooking in the crockpot, baste them with BBQ sauce and broil them in the oven! Don't leave off this step.  It is the key to getting that delicious caramelization and crispy texture on the outside of the ribs.

They are pretty easy to make and turn out delicious. We prefer to pull out the bones and eat them with a fork and knife which is super easy because after cooking them for 8 hours, the meat just falls off.  But for those of you boys out there who like to eat them "like a man" on the bone, cooking them in the crockpot, you can eat them both ways, the best of both worlds!

[BBQ Sauce]

1/4 cup butter
1/2 a large onion (diced)
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/3 cup ketchup
2 cups (packed) brown sugar*** - use 1 cup if you prefer a more vinegary bbq sauce

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

***This BBQ sauce recipe is for a sweeter BBQ sauce.  Use half the amount of brown sugar (1 cup) if you want a more vinegary BBQ sauce.  Which we totally love but it is definitely an acquired taste.  We usually use somewhere between 1 and 2 cups of brown sugar, by adding in 1 cup and then keep adding more until we're happy with the way it tastes.

[How to make the BBQ sauce]

Saute the diced onion in the butter over medium heat until tender in a large sauce pan (about 3 minutes).  Then add  the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  Turn down the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until it reduces a little, stirring occasionally.  Season with the salt and pepper to taste.

The sauce can be made up to a week ahead of time, just let it cool, cover and refrigerate until you're ready to use it.

[How to make the ribs]

Try and buy your ribs from the meat counter at the grocery store, that way you can pick how big of a piece you want to make.

Add just enough of your bbq suace to cover the bottom of your crockpot, then add the ribs in on top of it.  Don't worry if your crockpot isn't big enough to lay the ribs flat, you can cut them in half and layer one piece on top of the other.  Add one piece of the ribs, then some BBQ sauce, and then put the second piece on top of them.  Then add more of your BBQ sauce to coat and cover the ribs.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours and switch them (putting the bottom piece on top and the top piece on bottom) about halfway through.  It makes the two pieces cook more evenly.

Remove the ribs from the crockpot using tongs, this is a little tricky because they will be a pile of falling off the bone deliciousness.  Place them meat side up on a pan and baste them with more BBQ sauce.  (you can discard the liquid that is left in the crockpot).  Put them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, depending on your broiler.  WATCH THEM CLOSELY!  When the BBQ sauce has started to caramelize and there is an outer layer of crispy yumminess, take them out, baste them with some more BBQ sauce and broil them again.

Now, brush on some more bbq sauce and enjoy your oh-so-yummy BBQ crockpot ribs!