Cody Casey
Cooking rib chops in a crock pot is a great way to make tender and juicy ribs with minimal effort. The slow cooker method allows the meat to cook low and slow, resulting in fall-off-the-bone tender ribs that are full of flavor. With only about 15 minutes of prep time and a few hours of cooking, you can have delicious crock pot rib chops that the whole family will love. In this article, we will guide you through the process of preparing and cooking rib chops in a crock pot, as well as provide tips for creating a mouthwatering dish that will impress your family and friends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cook time | 4-8 hours |
| Temperature | Low |
| Clean-up | Use a crock pot liner |
| Ribs | Baby back pork ribs |
| Membrane | Remove |
| Rub | Brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked french fries |
| Storage | Tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months |
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Prepping the ribs
To prep your rib chops for the crock pot, start by cutting the racks into halves or thirds, depending on the size of your crock pot. You can ask your butcher to do this for you. If your ribs have a thin membrane on the bone side, remove it to allow for better flavour absorption and tenderness. You can use a knife to slip under the membrane and pull it off.
Next, prepare your dry rub. Combine paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and smoked paprika for a smoky touch. Mix the spices well, and then use your fingers to rub the mixture into both sides of the ribs. Massage the rub into the meat and get it into every nook and cranny.
If you're using a BBQ sauce, you can brush it onto the ribs before placing them in the crock pot. Place the ribs in the crock pot, meat-side up, and add a touch of water or broth to the pot. You can also add sliced onions and garlic to the pot for extra flavour.
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Making the rub
To make the rub, you will need paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Some variations on this include adding red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne for a little heat. You can also use Cajun rub, or even just salt and pepper.
If you want to make a dry rub, add some brown sugar for sweetness and caramelization. You can also add smoked paprika for a smoky touch. A generous amount of salt will bring out the flavors, and black pepper will add some spice.
Combine the rub mix and massage it into the ribs. You can also use your fingers to rub it into both sides of the ribs.
If you're using a slow cooker, place the ribs inside with the meaty side against the wall of the cooker. You can also stand the ribs upright in the slow cooker, or cut them into halves or thirds to fit.
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Cooking the ribs
Now, place the ribs in your slow cooker. Some people recommend placing the ribs upright with the meaty side against the wall of the cooker, but you can also lay them flat. If you choose to stand the ribs up, you can brace them against each other or use vegetables like carrots or potatoes to hold them in place. Add onion, sliced garlic, and a touch of water or broth to the slow cooker, then put the lid on.
Cooking time varies depending on the size of your ribs and your preferred level of tenderness. For smaller ribs, cook for around 5-6 hours, and for larger ribs, cook for 7-8 hours. You can also adjust the cooking time to achieve your desired level of tenderness. Remember not to lift the lid during cooking, as this can increase the cooking time.
Once the ribs are tender, remove them from the slow cooker. Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and place them under a broiler for a few minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize. Cut the ribs apart between the bones into the meaty section, and serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
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Finishing the ribs
Once your ribs are cooked, you can finish them off in a few different ways to add flavour and texture.
Firstly, remove the ribs from the crock pot and brush them with BBQ sauce. You can use your favourite sauce, or make your own. Some recipes suggest adding jam to the BBQ sauce for extra flavour. You can then place the ribs under a broiler for a few minutes to let the sauce caramelize.
If you want to add a little char or dry them out, you can grill or bake the ribs for 3-5 minutes. You can also cut the ribs into sections before grilling or baking, which will make them easier to manage.
If you're not ready to eat the ribs yet, you can wrap them in foil and put them in the oven at 150°F to keep them warm.
Leftover ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, wrap the ribs in foil and place them on a pan in an oven heated to 250°F until they reach an internal temperature of 130-140°F.
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Storing leftovers
If you wish to freeze your rib chops, they can be stored in a freezer for up to three months. Again, ensure they are wrapped tightly in aluminium foil and placed in an airtight container. When you are ready to eat them, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat your rib chops, you can use a slow cooker on low heat, a covered saucepan on low heat, or a microwave in a covered container. To prevent the meat from drying out, you can add a bit of water or barbecue sauce to the ribs before warming them.
Another way to reheat your rib chops is to wrap them in foil and place them on a pan in a 250-degree Fahrenheit oven until they reach an internal temperature of 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the size of the ribs. Small ribs should be cooked for 5-6 hours, while larger ribs may need 7-8 hours.
Set your crock pot to a low temperature.
Your rib chops are done when the meat is falling off the bone.
