Looking for a mouthwatering, hands-off way to make juicy, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs without firing up the grill? Say hello to your new favorite comfort dish: Slow Cooker Barbequed Beef Ribs — tender, flavorful, and smothered in rich barbecue sauce with minimal effort.
This slow cooker rib recipe takes all the bold flavors of traditional barbecued beef ribs and simplifies the process so you can enjoy them any day of the week — no smoker or oven required.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make these perfectly tender slow cooker beef ribs , plus share expert tips, flavor variations, and even how to monetize this content if you run a blog or YouTube channel.
Let’s get cooking!
🥩 What Are Slow Cooker Barbequed Beef Ribs?
Slow Cooker Barbequed Beef Ribs are fall-apart-tender beef short ribs or back ribs cooked low and slow in a crockpot until they’re infused with smoky, savory flavor — then finished with a thick coat of homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce.
They're:
- Super tender and juicy
- Loaded with deep, rich flavor
- Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep
- Great for feeding a crowd or freezing for later
- Easy enough for beginners, impressive enough for guests
Whether you're a meat lover, BBQ fanatic, or just looking for an easy dinner that feeds the whole family, this recipe will become a staple on your dinner table.
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for 4–6 servings:
For the Beef:
- 3–4 lbs beef short ribs or back ribs
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional but recommended)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (if searing)
For the Liquid Base:
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (for extra depth)
For the Barbecue Sauce:
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
💡 Tip: Add sliced onions, carrots, or potatoes to the slow cooker for a complete one-pot meal!
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
