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Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
with green salad / watermelon

Active: 40 min Total: 3 hr 40 min
These tender ribs get flavor from both a dry rub and BBQ sauce (use your favorite). These were last featured in 2019 but with different side dishes.
Smarts #1: Depending on the thickness of the ribs, the cook time may vary. You can check them for doneness starting 30 minutes to an hour before the lowest cook time listed, but try not to check them too often. Each time you remove the lid of the slow cooker or the foil (in the oven) you will release some of the moisture and heat trapped inside.
Smarts #2: You can pre-cook the ribs up to 2 days ahead and just finish them in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
Tags
Proteins
Cuisines

Ingredients

Metric
Servings:
4
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs:
  • Paprika - 1 Tbsp
  • Garlic powder - 2 tsp
  • Coriander, ground - 1 tsp
  • Salt - 1 tsp
  • Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Black pepper - 1/2 tsp
  • Baby back pork ribs - 2 lbs (2 lbs ~ 1 rack / slab of ribs)
  • Stock, any type - 1 cup (only if cooking in the slow cooker)
  • Foil - for cooking
  • BBQ sauce - 1/4 cup , plus more for serving (use your favorite)
Butterhead Lettuce Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumbers:
  • Cilantro leaves - 1 Tbsp , chopped
  • Vinegar, apple cider - 1 Tbsp
  • Mayonnaise - 1 Tbsp
  • Mustard, Dijon - 2 tsp
  • Garlic powder - 1/8 tsp
  • Oil, olive - 2 1/2 Tbsp
  • Cucumbers - 6 oz , chopped
  • Tomatoes, cherry or grape - 1 cup , halved
  • Butter lettuce - 5 oz , leaves torn or chopped
Watermelon:
  • Watermelon - ~3 lbs , wedges

Choose Cooking Method

Prep

  1. Make dry rub - Combine paprika, garlic powder (portion for ribs), coriander, salt, chili powder, and black pepper. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
  2. Make salad dressing - Chop cilantro. Whisk together cilantro, vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, and garlic powder (portion for salad). Whisk in olive oil. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
  3. Prepare ribs - Set ribs on a cutting board. Remove and discard membrane. (Check out this link for step-by-step photos.) Rub ribs on all sides with dry rub. If needed, slice ribs into portions that will fit (stacked) in your slow cooker. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
  4. Slow cook ribs - Pour stock into the bowl of a slow cooker. Add ribs and cook until tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
  5. Cucumbers / Tomatoes / Lettuce / Watermelon - Prep as directed.

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Make

  1. Heat oven to 400F / 204C degrees.
  2. Line a sheet pan with foil and brush with some cooking oil.
  3. Spread pre-cooked ribs out, meat side up, on sheet pan. Brush the top of the ribs with BBQ sauce.
  4. Bake ribs for 15 minutes, uncovered, to let the sauce flavor the meat.
  5. Just before serving, give dressing a stir and season with some salt and pepper. Toss together cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce. Add dressing until salad is dressed to your liking.
  6. Serve ribs with watermelon and salad on the side. Enjoy!

Prep

  1. Make dry rub - (If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating first.) Combine paprika, garlic powder (portion for ribs), coriander, salt, chili powder, and black pepper. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
  2. Make salad dressing - Chop cilantro. Whisk together cilantro, vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, and garlic powder (portion for salad). Whisk in olive oil. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
  3. Prepare ribs - Set ribs on a cutting board. Remove and discard membrane. (Check out this link for step-by-step photos.) Rub ribs on all sides with dry rub. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
  4. Pre-cook ribs - Spread ribs out on a sheet pan that has been lined with foil and then brushed with some oil. Add ribs, meat side facing up. Cover the top tightly with more foil. Bake ribs, covered, at 275F / 135C degrees until tender, 3 to 4 hours. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
  5. Cucumbers / Tomatoes / Lettuce / Watermelon - Prep as directed.

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Make

  1. Heat oven to 400F / 204C degrees (if oven is already on for pre-cooking ribs, just increase the heat).
  2. If ribs aren't still on the sheet pan used for pre-cooking, line a new sheet pan with foil and brush with some cooking oil. Add ribs to prepared pan.
  3. Brush the top of the ribs with BBQ sauce.
  4. Bake ribs for 15 minutes, uncovered, to let the sauce flavor the meat.
  5. Just before serving, give dressing a stir and season with some salt and pepper. Toss together cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce. Add dressing until salad is dressed to your liking.
  6. Serve ribs with watermelon and salad on the side. Enjoy!

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