Are you ready to take your rib game to the next level? Whether you're a fan of the deep, savory flavors of slow-cooked ribs or the caramelized perfection of oven-baked ones, we've got you covered. In this culinary showdown, we'll explore two genius techniques to achieve fall-off-the-bone tenderness that's sure to impress. Get ready to discover your new favorite rib-cooking method!

1. Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

Slow Cooker RibsPhoto byButter & Baggage

Baby back pork ribs cooked in the crock pot are fall-off-the-bone delicious. The dry rub and caramelized barbecue sauce make these the BEST baby back ribs around. Flavorful and tender, a true Southern specialty.

When you need a fabulous dinner recipe that you can forget about all day long, but still impress friends and family, you’ve got to try baby back pork ribs made in the slow cooker. It’s a recipe that my family is always asking for. Serve it with some fluffy pimento cheese biscuits and some baked beans for a true Southern dinner.

Everyone in the South has their favorite baby back rib recipe, handed down for generations or just tweaked until it’s just the way they like it, and this is mine. In the oven, on the grill or in the slow cooker, all have one thing in common, you have to cook them slow.

When I want to have friends over for a casual dinner, this is my go-to recipe. Who doesn’t love tender pork ribs, and while it takes a little planning, there’s hardly any effort needed.

How to plan for Slow Cooker BBQ ribs

Baby back ribs are delicious all by themselves because they cook slow with the bones which brings out the flavor. But to really get a great barbecue flavor, you need to take a couple of steps in advance.

The night before you need to get them started by removing the membrane and adding a dry rub.

The next day you will add them to a slow cooker with some pineapple juice along with a little vinegar to help tenderize them while they cook. Pork ribs need to cook slowly to become tender, so plan on 6 hours for this step.

Right before serving you will place them under the broiler with some BBQ sauce and let it caramelize on the ribs.

What You'll Need For Slow Cooker Ribs

RUB

• ▢2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• ▢1 ½ tablespoons smoked paprika
• ▢1 ½ teaspoons cumin
• ▢1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ▢½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ▢½ teaspoon onion salt
• ▢½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ▢¼ teaspoon pepper
• ▢¼ teaspoon cayenne
• ▢¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• RIBS
• ▢2-3 lbs baby back pork ribs
• ▢½ cup pineapple juice
• ▢2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• ▢1 teaspoon garlic minced
• BBQ SAUCE
• ▢1 cup tomato based BBQ sauce Rufus Teague Sweet Honey
• ▢¼ cup honey
• ▢1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• ▢½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ▢¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Get the Recipe for Slow Cooker Ribs

2. Oven Baked Tender and Juicy BBQ Pork Ribs

Oven Baked RibsPhoto byButter & Baggage

If the slow cooker is not your thing, you can still get amazing ribs without one. While this multi-step recipe takes a little time to get fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, it’s more than worth it. The oven does all the work!

The first step of the cooking process is an overnight marinade, then a cook at a low temperature, followed by high heat, and finally a quick broil to get the best ribs possible.

This recipe is enough for large racks of ribs—just about three pounds—but it can easily be doubled or tripled depending on your need. And who doesn’t need more ribs? For ease, I modify my favorite BBQ sauce, but feel free to make your own homemade BBQ sauce if you’re feeling like it! And don’t forget to use a mixture of dry spices beforehand to really amplify the flavor.

If you want an even easier version, skip the dry rub and try Coca-Cola ribs that are marinated in Coke.

What You'll Need for These Oven Baked Ribs

• ▢2-3 lbs baby back pork ribs
• ▢1 onion chopped
• ▢3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢1 orange
• ▢1 lime
• ▢1 ¼ cup Rufus Teague Honey BBQ sauce
• ▢¼ cup honey
• ▢1 ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
• ▢½ tsp dry mustard
• ▢¼ tsp red pepper flakes

The tender meat goes beautifully with all your favorite side dishes like ranch potato salad, cornbread, and a macaroni salad.

Get the Recipe for Oven Baked Ribs