Tender Pioneer Woman Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe
Unleashing succulent baby back ribs slow cooker magic transforms ordinary meat into a culinary masterpiece that dances on your taste buds.
Tender proteins surrendering to gentle heat create a mouthwatering symphony of flavors that whispers comfort and indulgence.
Professional chefs and home cooks alike swear by this effortless cooking technique that demands minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.
Low and slow cooking allows robust seasonings to penetrate every fiber, breaking down tough connective tissues into silky, fall-apart goodness.
The secret lies in consistent, patient heat that coaxes out incredible depth and richness from each rib.
Marinades and spice blends meld together, creating a flavor profile that will have dinner guests begging for seconds.
Weekend warriors and busy families can now enjoy restaurant-quality ribs without spending hours hovering over a hot stove: Prepare for a taste sensation that redefines home cooking!
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hour
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Calories: 600 kcal
Servings: 5
How to Prepare Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Gently remove the tough back membrane using your fingers or a knife. Slice the rack into manageable sections that will fit comfortably in your slow cooker. Scatter fresh chopped onions and crushed garlic cloves across the meat for deep flavor infusion.
Lock the lid and set your slow cooker to low heat. Allow the ribs to transform into melt-in-your-mouth goodness over 8 hours. Resist lifting the lid to maintain consistent temperature and seal in moisture.
Whisk together sweet plum preserves, zesty ketchup, rich barbecue sauce, and a splash of hot sauce in a mixing bowl. Carefully transfer ribs back into the slow cooker and generously coat each piece with the vibrant sauce using tongs.
Switch the slow cooker to warm setting for 20 minutes. This final stage allows the sauce to caramelize and intensify, creating a glossy, mouth-watering exterior. The ribs will develop a stunning sheen and incredibly rich flavor profile perfect for serving to hungry guests.
Rib Tips for Tenderness and Taste
Plating Ideas for Baby Back Rib Fans
Keeping Leftovers Juicy & Flavorful
Baby Back Ribs: What You’ll Need
For Meat Base:For Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:For Sauce Components:Gear to Slow Cook Tender Baby Back Ribs
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Tender Pioneer Woman Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman baby back ribs slow cooker create mouthwatering tender meat that melts off the bone. Kansas ranch-style preparation delivers rich barbecue flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
- 5–6 lbs (2.3–2.7 kg) baby back ribs (approximately 2 racks, each about 2.5 to 3 lbs or 1.1–1.4 kg)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 12 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup (320 g) plum preserves
- ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
- ½ cup (120 ml) barbecue sauce
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) black pepper
- A few dashes of hot sauce
Instructions
- Membrane Removal: Detach the tough back membrane from rib racks using a sharp knife, ensuring optimal meat tenderness. Slice each rack into manageable halves for efficient slow cooking.
- Initial Layering: Position rib halves inside the slow cooker, interspersing with thinly sliced onions and crushed garlic. Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper across the meat to establish a robust flavor foundation.
- Slow Cooking Process: Secure the lid and set slow cooker to low temperature. Allow ribs to simmer gently for 8 hours, transforming the meat into incredibly tender morsels without disturbing the cooking environment.
- Liquid Preparation: Extract ribs and strain cooking liquid, preserving caramelized onions and garlic. Combine plum preserves, tomato ketchup, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce in a bowl, whisking until a smooth, vibrant glaze forms.
- Sauce Application: Reintroduce ribs to the slow cooker, thoroughly coating each piece with the prepared sauce using tongs. Ensure comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor penetration.
- Final Glazing: Switch slow cooker to warm setting for 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and create a lustrous, sticky exterior that enhances the ribs’ visual and gustatory appeal.
Notes
- Membrane Removal Technique: Carefully peel off the tough back membrane using a sharp knife to ensure maximum tenderness and better sauce absorption.
- Low and Slow Cooking Secret: Maintain consistent low heat for 8 hours without lifting the lid to preserve moisture and create fall-apart tender meat.
- Sauce Coating Pro Tip: Use tongs to thoroughly and evenly coat ribs with sauce, ensuring every inch of meat gets maximum flavor coverage.
- Flavor Melding Magic: The final 20-minute warm setting helps blend sauce flavors and create a glossy, sticky glaze that makes the ribs irresistibly delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hour
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.