Easy Pioneer Woman Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe

Baby back ribs slow cooker methods transform tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness that fills kitchens with irresistible aromas.

Tender, juicy meat falls right off the bone when prepared with gentle, consistent heat and strategic seasoning techniques.

Professional and home cooks appreciate this hands-off cooking approach that guarantees exceptional results without constant monitoring.

slow cooking allows complex flavors to develop and marry together, creating depth and richness impossible through faster preparation methods.

The magic happens when low temperatures break down connective tissues, rendering meat incredibly soft and infused with robust seasonings.

Succulent proteins become impossibly tender, absorbing every nuanced ingredient while remaining incredibly moist throughout the cooking process.

Weekend meal preppers and busy families will love how effortlessly this technique produces restaurant-quality results with minimal active kitchen time: Get ready for a flavor explosion!

What Makes Pioneer Woman’s Baby Back Ribs in the Slow Cooker Tender and Flavorful

• Effortless Tender Meat Magic: Slow cooking for 8 hours transforms tough rib meat into melt-in-your-mouth perfection, breaking down connective tissues to create incredibly soft, succulent bites without any complicated cooking techniques.
• Flavor-Packed Sauce Sensation: The unique blend of plum preserves, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce creates a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy coating that elevates the ribs from ordinary to extraordinary, delivering a complex taste experience in every single bite.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Comfort: This recipe requires minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Simply prep the ribs, toss them in the slow cooker, and let the magic happen with almost zero active cooking effort.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker

• Baby Back Ribs: Tender pork ribs that form the heart of the dish, best when fresh and high-quality with good marbling.
• Onion: Aromatic vegetable that adds depth and sweetness to the slow-cooked meat.
• Garlic Cloves: Flavor enhancer that provides a rich, savory undertone to the ribs.

• Kosher Salt: Essential seasoning that helps draw out moisture and intensify the meat's natural flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and complements the other seasonings in the recipe.

• Plum Preserves: Sweet fruit spread that creates a glossy, rich base for the sauce.
• Ketchup: Provides tanginess and helps bind the sauce ingredients together.
• Barbecue Sauce: Adds smoky and complex flavor to the rib coating.
• Hot Sauce: Introduces a subtle heat and additional depth to the sauce.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare The Ribs

• Sliced onion
• Garlic cloves
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Step 2: Slow Cook The Ribs

Cover the slow cooker with a tight lid. Set the temperature to low and cook for 8 hours. Keep the lid closed to maintain consistent heat and preserve moisture.

Step 3: Drain Cooking Liquid

After 8 hours, carefully remove the ribs and transfer to a plate. Drain the liquid from the slow cooker, keeping the cooked onions and garlic in the pot.

Step 4: Create Delicious Sauce

• Plum preserves
• Ketchup
• Barbecue sauce
• Hot sauce (few dashes)

Return the ribs to the slow cooker and coat them evenly with the sauce using tongs.

Step 5: Finish And Serve

Set the slow cooker to ‘warm’ setting for 20 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and flavors to blend. The ribs will develop a glossy, rich coating, making them ready to serve and enjoy.

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker

• Remove Membrane Masterfully: Gently peel back the silvery membrane from rib backs using paper towels for better grip, ensuring maximum seasoning absorption and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Boost Sauce Complexity: Mix a splash of bourbon or apple cider into your barbecue sauce for unexpected depth, creating layers of rich, tangy flavor that dance on your taste buds.
• Check Tenderness Technique: Gently twist a rib bone – when it rotates easily, your ribs have reached perfect slow-cooked softness and are ready to devour.
• Crisp Finishing Trick: Quickly broil ribs for 3-5 minutes after slow cooking to develop a caramelized exterior that adds irresistible crispy edges and visual appeal.
• Serve with Style: Garnish with fresh herb sprinkles like chopped chives or parsley, adding bright color and a fresh burst of flavor that elevates the entire dish.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect flavor and moisture by vacuum sealing leftover ribs in specialized bags. This technique prevents freezer burn and maintains meat quality for up to 6 months, extending storage life beyond traditional methods.
• Portion Control Approach: Separate ribs into individual servings before storing. Wrap each portion in parchment paper, then place in labeled freezer containers. This strategy allows easy reheating of precise amounts without defrosting entire batch.
• Marinade Preservation Trick: Pour remaining cooking liquid or marinade over ribs before refrigerating. The extra moisture helps prevent meat from drying out and enhances flavor when reheating. Simply cover container with tight-fitting lid and store for maximum 3 days in refrigerator.

Delicious Variations of Pioneer Woman’s Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker

• Spicy Kick Ribs: Enhance the recipe by adding cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a fiery flavor profile. Incorporate diced jalapeños into the onion mixture for extra heat and depth.
• Asian-Inspired Glaze: Replace plum preserves with hoisin sauce and add ginger, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to create an East Asian-inspired coating. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving for authentic touch.
• Smoky Maple Version: Swap barbecue sauce with maple syrup and add a tablespoon of liquid smoke for rich, woodsy undertones. Include smoked paprika in the seasoning to amplify the smoky flavor throughout the ribs.
• Herb-Infused Option: Mix fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and sage into the sauce for an aromatic herbal experience. Incorporate minced fresh herbs directly into the rib seasoning for deeper herbaceous notes.

Pioneer Woman’s Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker: A Tender, Flavorful Feast

Slow-cooked baby back ribs become a culinary masterpiece through Pioneer Woman’s ingenious recipe.

Her method transforms basic ingredients into a mouthwatering dish that connects generations of home cooks.

Tender meat falls effortlessly from bones, revealing layers of rich, complex flavors.

Classic barbecue sauce mingles with sweet plum preserves, creating an unforgettable taste experience.

Comfort and tradition merge on your plate, promising a memorable meal for family and friends.

Eager taste buds will dance with excitement – share this remarkable recipe, comment with your personal twist, and spread delicious inspiration across your social networks!

Pioneer Woman Baby Back Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Slow-cooker baby back ribs from Pioneer Woman offer a mouthwatering journey through tender, fall-apart meat infused with rich barbecue flavors. Southern comfort meets simple preparation, delivering irresistible ribs that melt in your palate and bring smiles around the dinner table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 5–6 pounds (2.3–2.7 kg) baby back ribs (approximately 2 racks, each about 2.5 to 3 pounds or 1.1–1.4 kg)

Aromatics and Seasoning:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 12 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) black pepper

Sauces and Preserves:

• 1 cup (320 g) plum preserves
• ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
• ½ cup (120 ml) barbecue sauce
• A few dashes of hot sauce

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the ribs by carefully peeling away the tough membrane from the back of each rack using a sharp knife. This crucial step ensures maximum tenderness and flavor absorption. Slice each rack in half to facilitate easier handling and compact placement in the slow cooker.
2. Arrange the halved rib racks in the slow cooker, layering thinly sliced onions and crushed garlic cloves across the top. Generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating an aromatic base for the meat.
3. Cover the slow cooker tightly and set to low temperature. Allow the ribs to cook slowly for 8 hours, maintaining a consistent heat that will transform the meat into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Resist the temptation to lift the lid during cooking to preserve heat and moisture.
4. Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the ribs and transfer to a clean platter. Strain the cooking liquid, reserving the caramelized onions and garlic for additional flavor enhancement.
5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together plum preserves, tomato ketchup, tangy barbecue sauce, and a few dashes of hot sauce until smooth and well-integrated. This vibrant sauce will provide a rich, complex flavor profile.
6. Return the ribs to the slow cooker and generously coat each piece with the prepared sauce. Use tongs to ensure even coverage, allowing the sauce to cling to every crevice of the meat.
7. Set the slow cooker to warm setting for an additional 20 minutes. This final stage allows the flavors to meld harmoniously and creates a glossy, sticky glaze that will make the ribs irresistibly appetizing.

Notes

• Minimal prep work transforms tough meat into a crowd-pleasing meal that tastes like it came from a professional kitchen.
• Versatile cooking method works perfectly in slow cooker, making meal preparation stress-free and convenient.
• Homemade sauce delivers complex flavor profiles that elevate these ribs from ordinary weeknight dinner to memorable feast.
• Low temperature ensures meat becomes incredibly tender, literally falling off the bone with each delicious bite.
• Draining excess liquid concentrates rich flavors, creating a glossy, mouthwatering coating that guests will absolutely love.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hour
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 540 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg