SLOW COOKER BARBECUED BEEF RIBS

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🍖 SLOW COOKER BARBECUED BEEF RIBS

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 hours (slow cooker)
Total Time: ~6–8 hours (depending on slow cooker)

⭐ Ingredients

For the Beef Ribs:

  • 3–4 lbs beef ribs (bone-in or spare ribs)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the BBQ Sauce:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder (optional for heat)
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (optional for extra heat)

🥣 Instructions

1. Prepare the Ribs:

  • Pat the beef ribs dry with paper towels.
  • Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • If you prefer, you can remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for more tender meat, but it’s optional.

2. Make the BBQ Sauce:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together:
    • Water
    • Ketchup
    • Tomato paste
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Brown sugar
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Soy sauce
    • Mustard
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Paprika
    • Chili powder
    • Black pepper
    • Hot sauce (optional)
    Stir until smooth and combined.

3. Slow Cook the Ribs:

  • Place the seasoned ribs into the slow cooker.
  • Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the ribs, ensuring they’re well-coated.
  • Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6–8 hours or until the ribs are tender and the meat is falling off the bone.
    (If you’re in a rush, you can cook them on high for 3–4 hours.)

4. Finish and Serve:

  • Once the ribs are done, remove them carefully from the slow cooker.
  • If you’d like a caramelized finish, you can brush some of the BBQ sauce on the ribs and place them under a broiler for 3–5 minutes for a crispy glaze.
  • Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve with classic BBQ sides like coleslaw, cornbread, grilled vegetables, or potato salad.
  • You can also serve the ribs with some crispy fries or a fresh green salad for balance.

💡 Tips for Success:

  • Low and slow is key to making ribs tender. The longer they cook in the slow cooker, the better the texture.
  • For extra smoky flavor, try adding smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce.
  • You can freeze leftover ribs for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the microwave or slow cooker.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving):

  • Calories: 400
  • Protein: 30g
  • Carbs: 20g
  • Fat: 20g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 15g

(Note: Nutritional info may vary based on the cut of beef ribs and BBQ sauce ingredients.)

Conclusion:

These slow-cooked beef ribs are incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re serving them for a family meal, a casual get-together, or a BBQ dinner, they’re sure to be a hit!

Recommendation:

  • Try making extra BBQ sauce to have on hand for dipping or as a glaze for other meats.
  • Pair with a refreshing fruit salad or a tangy pickled cucumber salad to balance the rich flavor of the ribs.

Embracing Healthful Indulgence:

To make the recipe a bit lighter, use leaner cuts of beef like flank steak or sirloin, and go easy on the sugar in the BBQ sauce. You can also opt for low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the amount of added sugar for a healthier twist.

This recipe is a perfect balance of ease and flavor — you get all the goodness of slow-cooked BBQ ribs without the fuss! Let me know if you’d like more variations or tips on making this a family-friendly or keto-friendly recipe.

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