Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

These are so easy because the slow cooker does most of the work. Definitely double the recipe if you have a hungry crowd. Most 6 quart slow cookers can handle 2 racks, cut in half crosswise and stacked in the slow cooker.

2 lb baby back ribs (1 rack)
1 1⁄4 cups BBQ sauce, store-bought or homemade (recipe below)
1 T brown sugar, light or dark
1⁄2 t black pepper
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
2 t Worcestershire sauce
2 T apple cider vinegar
1⁄2 t cayenne (or more to taste)
Kosher salt and black pepper

Spray inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Cut the rack of ribs in half crosswise so you have 2 smaller racks. Place them in the bottom of your slow cooker. Season ribs with salt and pepper.

Combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne in a medium bowl. Mix well and coat ribs with about 2⁄3 of the sauce. Reserve the rest of the sauce for later. Cover, and cook on low for 7 hours, or high for 3 hours (This setting cooks ribs that are tender but stay on the bone. If you prefer ribs that fall off the bone, cook on low for 9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.)

Remove ribs to a sheet pan lined with parchment. Pour half of the cooking juices into the remaining sauce you’d set aside. Stir. Preheat broiler (or grill) and baste the ribs with the sauce.

Broil about 6 minutes, just until they begin to crisp around the edges and char in spots.

Serve with remaining sauce.

Homemade Barbeque Sauce

1 c ketchup
1 c packed brown sugar
1⁄4 c water
1⁄4 c apple cider vinegar
1 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T honey or molasses
1 t kosher salt
1 t garlic powder
1⁄2 t cayenne, or to taste

Make sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer until thickened, about 40 minutes.