Emilie Meyer
Slow cooking is an ideal method for cooking less expensive portions of meat, making them tender and tasty. You can cook rib tips in a crock pot or slow cooker for 4-8 hours, depending on the heat setting. The meat should be tender and fall off the bone. You can then finish the ribs in the oven or under a grill or broiler for a few minutes to add some char. You can use a variety of BBQ sauces and rubs to flavour the ribs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Baby back ribs, spare ribs, country-style ribs |
| Type of cooker | Crock-Pot, slow cooker |
| Temperature | Low |
| Cook time | 4-8 hours |
| Broil time | 3-5 minutes |
| Sauce | BBQ sauce, apple cider, apple juice, Dr. Pepper, Coca Cola |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping the ribs
To prep your ribs for cooking in a crock pot, you'll first want to cut the racks into pieces that will fit into your slow cooker. Depending on the size of your crock pot, you may need to cut the racks in half or into thirds. If your crock pot is 6 quarts or larger, you can fit half racks.
Next, you'll want to remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. You can do this by slipping a knife under the membrane and pulling it off. If it's slippery, a piece of paper towel can help you grip it.
Now it's time to make your rub. You can combine paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and then use your fingers to rub it into both sides of the ribs. Make sure to really coat the ribs with the rub—you want it on all sides. Let the rub rest on the ribs for about 10 minutes.
Finally, it's time to add the ribs to the crock pot. If you're using apple cider or another liquid, pour it into the crock pot first and then add the ribs. If your crock pot is large enough, place the ribs upright with the meaty side against the wall of the cooker. If not, that's okay! Just stack them flat on top of each other. You can also add onion, garlic, and a touch of water or broth to the crock pot.
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Choosing a rub
Firstly, you can opt for a dry rub, which will give the ribs a flavourful crust. This can be done by mixing spices like paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, and rubbing it onto the meat with your fingers. Ensure you coat all sides of the rib tips generously and let it rest for a few minutes before placing them in the crock pot. This dry rub method is perfect for those who prefer their ribs without sauce.
Alternatively, you can make a wet rub or a paste by adding liquids such as oil, mustard, or even apple cider to the dry ingredients. This will create a thicker coating on the ribs, which can enhance the flavour and moisture of the meat.
If you're looking for a kick of spice, add some chilli powder or cayenne pepper to your rub. For a sweeter option, consider using a brown sugar-based rub, especially if you plan to use a smoky BBQ sauce. You can also experiment with different ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, or coriander seeds to create a unique flavour profile.
Additionally, you can customise your rub by toying with the proportions of the ingredients. For instance, increasing the amount of brown sugar will result in a sweeter rub, while adding more salt and pepper will give it a savoury kick.
Remember, the rub is a crucial step in achieving mouth-watering crock pot rib tips, so don't skimp on the quantity and ensure you coat the meat evenly.
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Picking a sauce
The sauce you choose for your rib tips will depend on your taste preferences and dietary requirements. You can use any BBQ sauce you like with this slow cooker ribs recipe.
If you like your sauce tangy, you could try a Carolina BBQ sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, a Bourbon BBQ sauce could be a good option. For those who like their sauce smoky, a good mesquite or hickory BBQ sauce will do the trick.
You can also make your own sauce by combining ingredients such as plum or apricot preserves, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce. If you want your sauce to be spicy, you can add some hot sauce or spices to your BBQ sauce or dry rub.
Some people prefer their ribs with just a dry rub, so you could leave the sauce off altogether and simply use a rub made with ingredients like paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
If you want to add a little extra something to your ribs after cooking, you could brush them with Alabama white sauce or olive oil.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for rib tips in a crock pot can vary depending on the specific recipe and your crock pot's settings. However, here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the cooking process:
Firstly, it's important to note that the cooking time will depend on whether you choose to cook your rib tips on high or low heat. On average, cooking rib tips on high heat will take around 4 to 5 hours, while cooking on low heat will take about 8 hours. It's worth mentioning that some sources suggest cooking times of 6 to 8 hours on low heat.
During the cooking process, it is generally advised not to lift the lid of the crock pot, as this can substantially increase the cooking time. Additionally, different crock pots may have varying temperature settings for "high" and "low," so it's recommended to refer to your crock pot's instructions or verify the temperatures with the manufacturer. Some crock pots may have temperatures of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit for both high and low settings, with the difference being the time it takes to reach that temperature.
After the initial cooking in the crock pot, some recipes suggest transferring the rib tips to an oven to finish them off or achieve a desired level of doneness. This typically involves placing the rib tips in an oven preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, followed by additional cooking and saucing intervals of 10 minutes each.
It's important to note that the cooking time may also depend on your preference for rib tip doneness. While some people prefer their rib tips to be fall-off-the-bone tender, others may prefer them with a little more structure. Adjusting the cooking time in the crock pot and the subsequent oven cooking can help achieve your desired level of doneness.
Lastly, the type of ribs you use may also impact the cooking time. Baby back ribs, spare ribs, and country-style ribs all have different meat-to-bone ratios and cooking times. Spare ribs, for example, may require a little extra time compared to baby back ribs.
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Finishing touches
Once your ribs are cooked, remove them from the crock pot. Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and place them under the broiler for a few minutes to let the sauce caramelize. You can also add a dry rub to your ribs instead of sauce. If you want a little char on your ribs, leave them under the broiler for 3-5 minutes.
If you want to add a sauce to your ribs, but don't want to use BBQ sauce, you can make your own. Combine plum or apricot preserves, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce in a bowl. Stir it until it's combined, then pour the sauce over the ribs. You can also add apple cider or apple juice to your crock pot to add some sweetness to your ribs.
If you want to add a little crisp to your ribs, place them in the oven at 300°F for about 3 hours after you've removed them from the crock pot.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times vary depending on the crock pot used and the texture desired. Some recipes recommend cooking ribs on high for 2.5 hours, while others suggest cooking on low for 8 hours.
The ingredients needed are ribs, a spice rub, apple cider or apple juice, and barbecue sauce. Some recipes also call for onions and garlic.
Cut the racks of ribs in half and place them in the crock pot with a touch of apple cider or apple juice. Add the spice rub and any other desired ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-8 hours. Once the ribs are tender, brush them with barbecue sauce and broil for a few minutes until the sauce caramelizes.
Baby back ribs are the most commonly used rib for this recipe as they are tender and flavorful. Spare ribs can also be used, but they may require a longer cooking time.
