This slow cooker bourbon baby back ribs recipe is so good. The slow cooker does all the work for you so it’s super easy. You just throw the ribs into the cooker, whip up the sauce, pour it over the ribs, set the timer and you’ll end up with ribs that fall off the bone.
Slow cooker equals love
It’s fun that you can make delicious bourbon baby back ribs, even if you don’t own a grill (I haven’t owned one in years).
I make these ribs as often as I can. They are succulent for sure, but what makes them really stand out is the sauce. It’s boozy and has just the right amount of sweetness to complement the meat without overpowering it or making you want to check your blood sugar after consuming it.
The sauce is also so delicious that you might even want to ladle it over baked potatoes or veggies or, dare I say, dip your bread into it.
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Helpful tips
- Sometimes baby back ribs are also known as loin ribs. You can use either.
- You can cook these ribs in your slow cooker either on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. I find they come out exactly the same. I prefer getting the ribs done quicker so I can eat them sooner.
- Cut the ribs in half so they fit in the slow cooker better.
- Make sure to cover both sides of the ribs with the bourbon sauce, especially since they will have to overlap a little.
How to make bourbon baby back ribs
Pre-step
Get out your slow cooker and large glass bowl and whisk.
Step one
Gather the ingredients: bourbon, maple syrup, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic paste, onion powder and pepper.
Step two
Add all the above ingredients into the bowl. (A)
Step three
Whisk until combined. (B)
Perfect. (Christopher loves this sauce and eats it by the spoonful when he thinks I’m not looking.)
Meat prep
Step four
Take the pork out of its wrapping and trim off some of the fat. I also cut the rack in half so it will fit better in the slow cooker.
Step five
Place the ribs in the cooker. (C)
Step six
Pour the bourbon sauce over the ribs and take a spatula and scrape all the sauce out of the bowl. You don’t want to miss any drops of this delicious sauce.
Make sure the sauce coats the ribs, especially where the ribs touch. (D)
Step seven
Cover the slow cooker. Set the temperature to high and the timer for four hours. After two hours, open the cover and ladle some of the sauce over the ribs. Replace the lid.
Step eight
Transfer the ribs to a serving plate. Pour the bourbon sauce in a bowl and place a ladle in it. Cut as many ribs as you want and plate them.
Ladle more bourbon sauce over the ribs and plate with a baked potato and a veggie.
Mmmmm.
Let’s get closer.
The meat literally falls off the bone cooking it this way! And boy, is it TASTY!!
I hope you enjoyed this bourbon baby back ribs recipe!
Please feel free to leave me a comment. What’s your favorite bar-b-que sauce? I’d love to know.
Other popular bourbon recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Slow Cooker Bourbon Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
Bar-bie sauce
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup bourbon (or to taste)
- ⅛ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste (or two cloves, crushed)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper (or a few shakes)
Meat
- 3 pounds baby back ribs (trimmed, and cut in half)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add ketchup, bourbon, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion powder, soy and pepper
- Mix with a whisk until incorporated
- In a slow cooker, add the ribs
- Pour bar-b-que sauce on top of ribs and make sure you cover both sides. The ribs will overlap, so make sure there is sauce where they touch
- Cover slow cooker and set to high and cook for 4 hours
- After 2 hours, open the lid and ladle the sauce over the ribs, basting them.
- Plate ribs with a potato and salad
- Pour whatever bar-b-que sauce is left in the slow cooker in a serving bowl
- Pour some sauce on ribs
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Sometimes baby back ribs are also known as loin ribs. You can use either.
- You can cook these ribs in your slow cooker either on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. I find they come out exactly the same. I prefer getting the ribs done quicker so I can eat them sooner.
- Cut the ribs in half so they fit in the slow cooker better.
- Make sure to cover both sides of the ribs with the bourbon sauce, especially since they will have to overlap a little.
Nutrition
Originally published July of 2017.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
I know what you mean, all the time that takes to cook, and take pictures, and assemble, and write… I like your new style, plus you get to have some extra time to enjoy doing other things you love. As for this recipe, I am vegetarian, but my husband is a baby back rib lover and appreciates cooking with a slow cooker. He’d love this recipe 🙂 .
Elaine
Thank you for commenting Nicoletta, especially since you are a vegetarian! 🙂 I’m glad you agree about the time it takes photographing, cooking etc. 🙂
Patty @pattysaveurs.com
Golly! These ribs are so tempting it’s hard to look at the pictures, I’m drooling, I love how they fall of the bone! Please Elaine, feed me! 🙂
Elaine
Lol Patty! I wish I lived closer to you!
Ayngelina Brogan
This sauce looks amazing, I think I may try this recipe in the Instant Pot to see if it also holds up.
Elaine
Great Ayngelina! I have to get an instant pot! Pronto!
Dannii
Anything with bourbon has to be a good thing, right? These look incredible and I bet the sauce is epic.
Elaine
Thank you Dannii, it truly is!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
You had my attention at the mere mention of Bourbon 🙂 I hear ya on the multi photos – I wrestle with that question myself but totally understand. I think the way this is laid out is perfect and am absolutely loving your blog!
Elaine
Thank you so much Aly! I totally appreciate it!
Shashi at Savory Spin
OH MY! I think I could lick that whole slow cooker clean! That sauce! WOW! Your bourbon baby back ribs look so incredibly wonderful!
Elaine
Lol Shashi!! Thank you!
Chris
Had them again this week! Yay! Really DELISH.
Elaine
Soo good! Thanks Chris
Michele
I think your idea of no process shots is great! More time to create more recipes…. and I know you have us covered it its something a little tricks!
Elaine
Thanks Michele! I appreciate the support!
Christine
I am such a sucker for perfectly cooked ribs – I love how you’ve made them in the slow cooker. Definitely going to be giving these a try!
Elaine
Thank you Christine!
Jamie
Yum! I love fall off the bone ribs! Thank you for sharing – this looks delicious. Pinning for later!
Elaine
Thanks Jamie! These ribs are so tasty!
Gloria
Although I do not like drinking bourbon….I LOVE cooking with bourbon. These sound fantastic. I love my slow cooker…and pork. I just know these would be finger licking good.
Elaine
Thanks Gloria! Yes! I love cooking with bourbon too!
Veena Azmanov
Yum Yum Yum! What a scrumptious dish! Cannot wait to try this! Looks very delicious! Great recipe. I’m delighted! Thank you for sharing this great recipe.
Elaine
Thanks Veena! It is quite scrumptious!
Pam
Around here we use bourbon like some people use vanilla – many recipes benefit from a splash! So, this sounds just divine and cooking the ribs in the slow cooker no doubt makes them tender as can be.
Elaine
I love your way of thinking Pam, with a splash of bourbon! These ribs are super tender!
Christina Shoemaker
In the slow cooker??? YESSS!! And that sauce looks incredible!
Elaine
Thanks Christina!
Deepika
I love the flavors in this Bourbon Sauce. I am sure this is going to be a star of the meal.
Elaine
Thanks Deepika! Everyone loves these, for sure!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes, bourbon, just like bacon makes everything delicious. These ribs sound finger licking good. I actually have used this brand as well. You can never go wrong adding bourbon to recipes.
Elaine
Thanks Gloria! Yes! We have so much in common!!
Diana Reis
So tender and the bourbon really sets it off. You can’t find a better rib recipe.
Elaine
Thanks so much Diana! I appreciate it.
Jen
My hubs is a huge bourbon fan and we loved this recipe for bourbon baby back ribs. Will make again! great sauce!
Elaine
Thanks Jen! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Beth Pierce
What an incredible recipe! A restaurant worthy dish, indeed! Looking forward to making this for dinner tonight!
Elaine
Thanks Beth! I hope you enjoy it!
Tammy
Your shots are mouthwatering! This looks fall-off-the-bone delicious and super tender. I’m craving a rack of these ribs now!!
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Tammy! I actually had some for lunch. Just took them out of the freezer and heated them up. Yum.
Caroline
Those look so tasty – that sauce sounds so flavorful. I agree using the slow cooker is great for ribs.
Elaine
Thanks so much Caroline!
Michelle
Oh gosh, that sauce!! I’m veggie but that sauce has me drooling, I can just imagine it with a baked potato! Going to send this on to my meat-loving friends, they will love this!
Elaine
The sauce is great on so many things!! And thanks for sending it along to your friends!
SHANIKA
These Baby Back Ribs looks so delicious! I love that they are made in a Slow Cooker and that Bourbon Sauce is amazing!
Elaine
Thanks Shanika! These are a family favorite!
Danielle
It’s amazing how easy recipes have become with the invention of a slow cooker! Love the way the ribs look – so inviting. I am definitely trying this recipe over the weekend – can’t wait to get my hands dirty!
Elaine
Thanks Danielle! I hope you enjoy the ribs when you make them!
Jacquelyn Hastert
You caught my attention with bourbon 😉 These ribs look fall off the bone good! I love that the slow cooker does all the work for me while I am at work.
Elaine
They have to be my favorite rib recipe. The bourbon goes so well in the sauce and complement the ribs! Thanks Jacquelyn!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
Oh my gosh Elaine, you are speaking to my heart with this ribs! They look so delicious and easy to make! Can’t wait to try these!
Elaine
Thanks so much Carrie! 🙂 So easy and delicious and . . . well . . . bourbon.
Kathryn
It has been a long time since I’ve baby back ribs! This reminds me that I need to do it. Saving this recipe to use at an end of summer party!!
Elaine
Yay! Thanks Kathryn! I hope you enjoy it when you make them!
Amanda
What a delicious recipe! The slow cooker makes these ribs so tender, and I love the flavor the bourbon adds. Thanks for sharing!
Elaine
Thank you so much Amanda!! I appreciate it!
Analida Braeger
My stomach is growling currently and I’m drooling while reading this. Ive never tried slow cooker ribs but you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference! I definitely will try these 🙂
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Analida! I appreciate it!
Veronika's Kitchen
Bourbon and back ribs! My husband will definitely love this recipe! Can imagine how tasty that with with a splash of bourbon!
Elaine
It’s so good Veronika! I hope hubby enjoys them!
Amanda Mason
Yum! I love this homemade bbq sauce and that you made these in the crockpot!! What a convenient way to make these ribs!
Elaine
Thanks so much Amanda!! They are so easy!
Jo
Those ribs looks perfect, the flavours are so amazing. Absolutely droolocious
Elaine
Thanks so much Jo!! 🙂 I appreciate it!