Tillie Doyle
Cooking pork riblets in a crock pot is an easy way to make a delicious meal for any occasion. The process is simple and only requires a few ingredients. The key to achieving tender and juicy riblets is slow cooking them in the crock pot, allowing the meat to fall off the bone. Before cooking, season the riblets generously with a rub of your choice to create a flavorful crust. Then, place the riblets in the crock pot with a small amount of liquid and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. Finally, brush the riblets with BBQ sauce and broil them for a few minutes to achieve a golden brown colour and a caramelized sauce. This dish is perfect as an appetizer or main course and can be served with a variety of sides.
How to cook pork riblets in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking time | 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat |
| Ingredients | Pork riblets, broth, garlic, salt, pepper, barbecue sauce, onions |
| Seasoning | Pork rub, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, pepper |
| Sauce | Barbecue sauce, plum preserves, ketchup, hot sauce |
| Calories | 358kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Protein | 23g |
| Fat | 19g |
| Serving suggestions | Mashed Potato Patties, Banana Dessert Egg Rolls, Cheesy Texas Toast, Baked Potato, Cornbread |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping the pork riblets
Preparing pork riblets for the crock pot is a simple process. First, if your riblets still have a membrane attached, remove it. You can ask your butcher to do this for you. Removing the membrane will improve the flavour and tenderness of the meat.
Next, season the riblets generously with a rub. You can make your own rub by mixing together brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought pork rub. Apply the rub to all sides of the riblets.
Once the riblets are seasoned, place them in the slow cooker. You can add a little liquid to the crock pot to create steam and help the meat fall off the bone. You can also add onions and garlic to the crock pot for extra flavour.
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Cooking the riblets
First, season the riblets generously with your chosen pork rub, covering all sides of the meat. You can make your own rub by mixing spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper, or you can use a store-bought option. This rub will create a flavorful crust on the riblets.
Next, place the seasoned riblets into your slow cooker. If you have a lot of riblets, consider cooking them in batches. You can add a small amount of broth or water to the slow cooker, as well as some garlic. Cover the cooker with the lid and set it to low heat. Cooking the riblets slowly on low heat for an extended period of time will ensure they become tender without drying out. Let the riblets cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
About 30 minutes before serving, drain the liquid from the slow cooker. Season the riblets with salt and pepper, and then add your chosen barbecue sauce. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own by combining ingredients such as ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and various spices. Generously brush or spoon the sauce over the riblets, stirring gently to coat the meat.
At this point, you can decide whether you want to serve the riblets as they are or give them a crispy texture by broiling them in the oven. If you choose the latter, preheat your oven broiler and place the riblets on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Brush more barbecue sauce over the riblets and place them under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the sauce caramelizes. Keep a close eye on the riblets during this step to avoid burning the sauce.
Finally, allow the riblets to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This will let the juices redistribute, ensuring the meat is juicy and tender. Serve the riblets with extra barbecue sauce on the side, if desired.
Cooking riblets in a crock pot is a relatively hands-off and low-effort method that yields delicious, tender results.
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Making the sauce
While making the sauce for pork riblets in a crock pot, you can either use a store-bought barbecue sauce or make your own. If you want to make your own barbecue sauce, you can combine ingredients like brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and various spices. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or a splash of white wine vinegar to customise your sauce.
If you want to make a dry rub for the pork riblets, you can combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper to the dry rub.
Once you have made the sauce or dry rub, you can brush it on the pork riblets before placing them in the crock pot or after they have finished cooking. Some recipes suggest cooking the sauce along with the ribs, but this can make the sauce watery. It is generally recommended to add the sauce after the ribs have cooked so that they are glossy and sticky.
You can also broil the riblets in the oven after brushing them with barbecue sauce. Place the riblets on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil and put them under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the sauce caramelises.
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Combining the sauce and riblets
About 10 minutes before the riblets are done, preheat your oven broiler. Then, carefully remove the riblets from the slow cooker using tongs and place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Now it's time to add the sauce. Brush the BBQ sauce generously over the riblets. You can make your own sauce or use a store-bought option. Homemade BBQ sauce typically includes ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and various spices. You can customize your sauce by adding garlic powder, onion powder, or a splash of white wine vinegar.
Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the riblets turn golden brown and the sauce caramelizes. If you prefer your sauce to be crispy, you can broil for a few extra minutes. Keep a close eye on the riblets to avoid burning the sauce.
Allow the riblets to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. You can also let the juices redistribute by letting the riblets rest for 5 minutes after broiling.
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Serving and storing
Once the meat is falling off the bone, you know the riblets are done. Remove them from the crockpot and brush them with BBQ sauce. Place the riblets under the broiler for 3-5 minutes to let the sauce caramelize. Cut the riblets apart using a sharp knife and serve them with some BBQ sauce on the side.
If the riblets are done before you are ready to serve them, wrap them in foil and put them in the oven at 150°F to keep them warm. You can also store leftover riblets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the riblets in a single layer on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
To reheat the riblets, wrap them in foil and place them in the oven at 250°F or 275°F for 30 minutes or until warmed through. Make sure to slather them with BBQ sauce to get them nice and saucy again.
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Frequently asked questions
Season the riblets generously with a pork rub and place them in a slow cooker. Add broth, onions, and garlic, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Before serving, drain the liquid, season with salt and pepper, and add barbecue sauce.
Cook pork riblets in a crock pot for 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat.
Cook pork riblets at 195°F to ensure they are super tender.
You can use a store-bought barbecue sauce or make your own. A good barbecue sauce typically includes ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and various spices. You can customize your sauce by adding garlic powder, onion powder, or a splash of white wine vinegar.
