Forget Your Grill: Make The Best Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs With This Method
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Ribs and grilling go together like peanut butter and jelly, but we're here to tell you that your trusty grill isn't the only way to get the fork-tender, succulent ribs you love ... in fact, it may not even be the best way! For the most succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs, bust out the crockpot. (Extra large capacity for the win, like this spacious Hamilton Beach model with excellent reviews.) Sure, you know the difference between baby back and spare ribs, but both of them are begging for a long, slow cook ... and science backs this fact up.
Ribs of all kinds are loaded with collagen. Collagen can make meat tough and chewy when it's solid, but when it breaks down, you get that unctuous, luscious, gelatinous tenderness that folks prize in their protein. The best way to break down collagen into gelatin is with a combination of a long cook time and a low temperature, both of which are present in your slow cooker.
Furthermore, grilling, while deeply satisfying, isn't always a pleasant experience. Bad weather, like freezing snow, rain, or summertime steam, can make being outdoors and babysitting a grill nigh unbearable. On the other hand, your slow cooker sits on the counter and happily does the work for you. The best crockpot recipes are "set it and forget it" methods, and cooking ribs via slow cooker comes pretty darn close to that exact set of instructions.
It couldn't be easier to cook ribs in your slow cooker
Perhaps the best part about slow-cooker ribs other than the buttery texture is the fact that even a novice home cook can prepare them beautifully and without too much skill. The number one thing to remember is to remove the silver membrane from your ribs, because this will interfere with your spice rub absorbing its flavor into the meat. If you feel uncomfy with the (limited) knife handling required to peel it off yourself, you can ask the butcher at your supermarket to do it for you.
After that, simply apply your choice of herbs and spices to the ribs – celebrity chef Ina Garten chooses Stubbs BBQ rub as her store-bought go-to – rub them in well, stand the ribs up in your crockpot, coiling them if necessary, and let the device do its magic. On high, the ribs will take at least four hours to cook thoroughly; on low, you can expect around eight hours. Just make sure to take proper precautions if running your slow cooker overnight.
Once the ribs are cooked through, you get to do the fun part: taking them out, brushing them with your favorite BBQ sauce (customers go crazy for Capital City Mambo Sauce) and sticking them under the broiler in your oven to caramelize, which should only take a few minutes. Once they are sticky, sweet, and falling off the bone, you'll be ready to dish up your easy-peasy, flavorful, and oh-so-tender ribs with all your favorite sides. You might never want to mess with grilling ribs again.