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These slow cooker teriyaki ribs are a truly easy “set it and forget it” recipe, perfect for those busy weekdays and weekends when you just need dinner ready to serve at the end of the day. Prep them in minutes, place the baby back ribs in the Crock Pot, brush on the sauce, and press start. Hours later, this tender, tasty, pork meal is ready to serve.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS POST
Recipe Ingredients and Equipment
Ingredients:
- Pork baby back ribs (see my recommendation below)
- Teriyaki sauce
- Balsamic vinegar
- Garlic
- salt & pepper
Add your favorite sauce to supplement the teriyaki sauce or use a completely different sauce. We like to change things up by adding a little BBQ sauce.
Equipment:
- Slow Cooker (the one I use is linked)
- Basting brush
- Measuring cups
- Instant read thermometer
Tips for tender baby back ribs
- Look for ribs marked “extra meaty.” These larger baby back ribs hold up better during slow cooking in the Crock Pot. These Smithfield ribs are my favorite meaty pork ribs.
- Remove the thin membrane on the underside of the rack of ribs (see photos and tips below).
- Undercooking and overcooking pork ribs will leave you with tough or dry meat. Check both the temperature of the pork and test the meat for tenderness.
Here is how to easily remove the membranes from the underside of the teriyaki ribs:
- Turn the slab over so that the bones are facing up. Using a sharp paring knife, separate the membrane from the rib bones, as shown above.
2. To strip the membrane from the teriyaki pork ribs, grasp the membranes with a paper towel and pull it from the bones as shown above and below.
This process takes a little practice, but once you have done it a few times, it will take 1-2 minutes.
Removing the rib membranes allows for the seasoning to permeate both sides of the meat, providing more flavoring.
How to Prepare Ribs for Slow Cooking
This set it and forget it recipe has just a few simple steps!
- Cut the slab of pork ribs to fit inside your slow cooker (this is the one I use). Then, brush with teriyaki sauce and season with salt and pepper.
- Set the slow cooker to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Add balsamic vinegar and garlic, and thicken the sauce before serving.
Get the recipe below to make the easiest, tastiest teriyaki ribs!
To create a delicious complete meal, pair these slow cooker teriyaki ribs with salad or coleslaw, loaded mashed potatoes, pinto beans, easy 3 ingredient biscuits, and apple cobbler.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Should you sear ribs before cooking? You should not sear your ribs before cooking. You want to cook them low and slow to break down the connective tissue so they will fall off the bone when eating. I do find that a quick sear will help to lock in juices and provide a good smoky flavor.
The ribs will soak up any seasoning you rub on them. I use a bit of salt, pepper, brown sugar, and a few drops of liquid smoke. After seasoned, place the crockpot ribs in the slow cooker (WITHOUT liquid) and turn it on high. Leave it for a few hours to sear.
It is possible to overcook ribs, and while you can cook them on high in the slow cooker, I recommend cooking them on low for 6-7 hours. If the meat is literally falling off the bones, it has more than likely been overcooked. You want the meat to come off with light pressure.
Easy Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs Recipe
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 rack/slab baby back ribs (about 2.5 lbs)
- 2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
optional
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Sprinkle ribs lightly with pepper, place in crockpot, and brush with 1/3 cup of teriyaki sauce generously to ensure that the ribs are coated on both sides with sauce.
- Cover with the lid and turn on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Internal temperature should be 145ºF.
- Remove from crockpot, cover with foil, and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- While the ribs are resting, add vinegar, garlic, and remaining 1/3 cup of teriyaki sauce to the juices in the bottom of the crockpot. For a really rich sauce, add 1/3 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Turn crockpot to high setting and allow to simmer until thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
- Brush thickened sauce from crockpot onto the ribs, and serve warm.