Slow Cooker Beef Ribs With Dry Rub Prep

May 24, 2022 Post a Comment

Ribs & potatoes cook together in this easy slow cooker recipe. Producing tender ribs, you can also make this recipe in the Instant Pot.

PIN FOR LATER

Updated 2022 with Instant Pot instructions, Updated 2022

If you're one of those people who swears ribs should only be grilled then this recipe is not for you. However if you're looking for tender ribs with minimal fuss, keep reading.

Ingredients For This Ribs Recipe

There are only a few ingredients needed for this slow cooker ribs & potatoes recipe. I encourage you to use your preferred seasoning and BBQ sauce but I also provide healthy, homemade versions for you as well.

Ribs: You can use anywhere from 2 to 3 pounds of ribs for this recipe.
Homemade BBQ Rub: I include my homemade BBQ rub in the recipe box but feel free to use your own.
BBQ Sauce: The BBQ sauce you use will play a big factor in the flavor of the recipe. Feel free to use my homemade BBQ sauce or use your preferred sauce.
Potatoes: Use 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of potatoes. This can be anything from whole russet potatoes, chopped baby potatoes, or even sweet potatoes.

option 1 for the slow cooker: wrap ribs & foil and add whole potatoes around them

option 2 for the slow cooker: stand the ribs up, add chopped potatoes inside

How To Make Ribs & Potatoes In The Slow Cooker

Making ribs in the slow cooker or Instant Pot is very easy. I list two options for the slow cooker. For the Instant Pot, I have only made this recipe one way.

add BBQ sauce and place under the broiler

What Type Of Ribs To Use

This slow cooker ribs & potatoes recipe is meant to be made with pork ribs. You can use spare ribs, baby back ribs, St. Louis style ribs or even country-style ribs. I tend to use either spare ribs or baby backs. This recipe uses anywhere between 2-3 pounds of ribs. The rack you see in the pictures were a little under 3 pounds. Can you use beef ribs? YES. If you want to use beef ribs with this recipe, you don't need to make any changes, just swap out the pork for beef.

broiled ribs

Removing The Membrane

Pork rib membrane is the tissue that's attached to the underside of the rib. Rinse & pat dry your ribs. Meat side down, take a common butter knife and stick it between the membrane and the ribs. It should loosen fairy easily. Grab the membrane and simply pull it away. It should pull off fairly easily as well.

broiled ribs

What Type Of Potatoes To Use

For the potatoes, you can use your preferred potatoes. I kept things simple and use 4 medium-size russet potatoes. Other suggestions are waxy potatoes like red potatoes or even sweet potatoes.

What Type Of BBQ Sauce To Use

What sauce you use on your ribs will dictate whether this ribs & potatoes recipe is paleo or whole30 compliant. Personally I like to use my own homemade bbq sauce. If you're looking for a store-bought paleo/whole30 bbq sauce, I recommend Primal Kitchen classic BBQ sauce.

Notes About This Ribs & Potatoes Recipe

If you're using the slow cooker, do not add liquid! Just the meat and the potatoes.
I've have found that this is not a recipe that can let sit on warm for extended hours.
Be careful removing the ribs & potatoes from the appliance when cooking time is complete. I use a fork and tongs.
Omit the potatoes and you have a low-carb ribs recipe (depending on the sauce).

Other BBQ recipes you may enjoy:

Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

Ribs

Brisket

Pulled Pork

Pulled Chicken

I used a 6-quart slow cooker /or Instant Pot.

2–3 pounds pork ribs
Up to 2 pounds of potatoes
1/4 cup BBQ rub (see below for homemade)
1 cup BBQ Sauce
1 cup water (for Instant Pot only)

Homemade BBQ Rub

4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Prepare The Ribs

Remove the membrane from the ribs. Rinse & pat dry. You may need to cut the rack of ribs in half in order for them to fit in the appliance.
In a small bowl, mix together the Homemade BBQ Rub ingredients. Rub the seasoning all over the ribs on both sides.

Slow Cooker

Option 1:

Place a large piece of aluminum foil down. Add the prepared ribs to the center of the foil. You can also add unseasoned ribs and rub them down with the seasoning directly on the foil.
Bring the shorter edges to the center, then fold them over each other to make a seam in the center. Fold in the edges to seal so that you create a packet. Repeat with the other half of the ribs if you cut your rack in half.
Place the foil packet in the slow cooker. Pierce the potatoes with a fork and add them to the slow cooker around or on top of the ribs.
Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Option 2:

Add the prepared ribs to the slow cooker, standing up with the meat facing out.
Add potatoes in the center inside the ribs.
Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Instant Pot

Add the water to the pressure cooker. Add the trivet rack to the base.
Add the prepared ribs, standing up around the trivet with the meat facing out. Add the potatoes inside the ribs on the trivet rack.
Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 35 minutes. When cooking time is done, naturally release pressure for 10 minutes then manually the remaining pressure.

BROIL

Turn your oven to BROIL.
Carefully remove the potatoes and the ribs from the appliance.
Place the ribs on a baking sheet. Spread the BBQ sauce on top of the ribs. Place the baking sheet in the oven under the broil for 2-5 minutes. Add more BBQ sauce if needed.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hours

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.