Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

Last week I took Friday off to play Auntie and make over 100 fish cake pops for my twin neice's 2nd birthday party.  It was quite the project but so worth it to see the smiles on their faces along with everyone else at the party.  

My mom and dad came down to help--well let's be honest, my dad went golfing and my mom sat at the counter and provided emotional support.  She also was the official dog wrangler, two very important jobs that added to the success of the cake pops.  

I knew I would be really busy making the cake pops so I didn't want to fuss over dinner.   I thought  I should use the crock pot since I didn't want to take time to really make something.  But, things in the crock pot are typically pretty heavy and who wants heavy food when its 100 degrees out?  I'll tell you--no one.  Ultimately I thought ribs would be good, I have made my Grandma's Spare Ribs in the crock pot, why not BBQ ribs.  I did, and they were awe-some.  You should totally give these a try.  Fall off the bone ribs that are finished on the grill.  Absolute summer perfection. 

They start off with a quick dry rub.  Season all salt...burred for effect...or crappy photography. : )

Dry mustard

Black pepper

And some cayenne pepper for a bit of heat.

Get your ribs out

And rub with the dry rub.

Spray the heck out of your crock pot and add the ribs meaty side facing the outside of the crock pot.

Pour 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce (I didn't actually use my favorite, Sweet Baby Ray's, because it has a high sugar content and I didn't want them to burn--so I would advise not using that) over the ribs

I added a bit of water to the bottle, shook it around and poured it in the middle.  I hate to waste. Pop these on low for 7-8 hours and let them be.  No moving, no peeking, no nothin'.

This is my "puppy" who was helping me in the kitchen and keeping my mom on her toes.  He is huge and it makes my heart hurt.  That face...bahhhhh.

Okay, back to the ribs.  They are done!

Remove them from the crock pot.  This will be difficult since they are fall off the bone tender at this point...hence the two tongs.  

Slather them with the juices/BBQ sauce in the crock pot.  Thank you Momma for the hand modeling. 

Pop them on the grill meaty side down for just a few minutes to get that charred effect.  This is so worth it.  Do it....carefully.

While the ribs are grilling, remove the juices/BBQ sauce from the crock pot and put it in a medium sauce pan on medium high heat.  Reduce this shiz.

I cheated and added a bit more BBQ sauce.

Simma.

And serve it up.

Easy summer meal.

See those charred bits? Yeah, I live for them.

I could eat these every day of my life.

Happy weekend!

Crock Pot BBQ Ribs


2 racks of baby back ribs
4 tablespoons season all salt
1 tablespoon dried mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
a few shakes (more or less depending on your taste) cayenne pepper
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1/4 cup water

Start by combining the season all salt, dried mustard, black pepper and cayenne pepper.  Rub this all over the ribs.

Spray the crock pot with cooking spray and add the ribs around the outside meaty side facing out.  Pour the BBQ sauce over the ribs.  Add 1/4 cup or so of water to the empty BBQ sauce bottle, give it a shake and pour it in the middle of the crock pot.  Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

After 7-8 hours, carefully remove the ribs from the crock pot and place on a baking sheet.  Slather the ribs with the juice/BBQ sauce in the crock pot.  Preheat the grill on medium high heat and grill the ribs, meaty side down, for about 3 minutes.

While the ribs grill, remove the liquid from the crock pot and pour it into a medium sauce pan on medium high heat.  Reduce this a bit.

When the ribs are done grilling, remove and cut into pieces between the bones.  Serve with the reduced BBQ sauce.

Enjoy!

Recipe by: Mrs. Schwartz