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Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs (Gluten Free & Paleo)

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Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

BBQ ribs don’t have to be cooked on the grill. Try these mouth-watering Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs that will be the easiest ribs you ever make!

These slow cooker ribs are made with healthy ingredients and the BBQ sauce is made from scratch.

I made these ribs a while ago and they were awesome! Naturally, I made them again and served them at my small paleo potluck and people seemed to like them.  

Except, the second batch I quadrupled and didn’t have the time to cook for a full 6 hours so the sauce was thinner and the ribs were almost fall-off-the-bone quality but they were still yummy!  

Slow cooker ribs in a cooking sheet with parchment paper and a bowl of bbq sauce.

Don’t forget to sear the ribs because this adds a lot of flavor and improves the texture of the finished ribs.

You can also try out my other gluten free BBQ-inspired recipes like Maple BBQ Sauce, Campfire Banana Boat, and Grilled Asparagus.

Tools to use for this recipe

For this recipe you will need:

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs Ingredients

Slow cooker ribs in a cooking sheet with parchment paper and a bowl of bbq sauce.

How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

Generously apply salt and pepper all over the rack of ribs.

Place some grass fed ghee/olive oil or preferred fat into a large pan and turn to medium-high heat.

Place the ribs in the heated pan and brown both sides.

Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and pour into a slow cooker that can fit the ribs. You can also cut the ribs into smaller sections to fit better.

Place the ribs in the sauce and turn the temperature of the slow cooker to low heat.

The sauce should cover the majority of the ribs. If it doesn’t add a little more chicken broth or water.

Allow the ribs to cook for 6 hours flipping the ribs around the 3-hour mark.

When the ribs are done they should be falling off the bone. If the BBQ sauce is not thick enough place it in a pot and bring it to a boil and continue boiling it and stirring it until it is thick enough.

Slow cooker ribs in a cooking sheet with parchment paper and a bowl of bbq sauce.

Can you stack ribs in a slow cooker

Yes, you can stack ribs in a slow cooker. It is preferred to put the ribs against the wall of the slow cooker if you are cooking many racks of ribs at once.

More Easy Gluten Free Dinner Recipes

If you love snacks, here are more Paleo desserts and Paleo snacks! Make sure to check out my huge collection of gluten free dinner recipes.

If you loved this Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs recipe, I would be really grateful if you could rate the recipe card and share any photos you took on Instagram using #ditchthewheat and tag me in your post or story.

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs Recipe

Yield: 1 rack of ribs

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

BBQ ribs don't have to be cooked on the grill. Try these mouth-watering Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs that will be the easiest ribs you ever make!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 rack of pork ribs
  • Sea Salt & Pepper to season

BBQ Sauce Ingredients

  • ½ cup coconut amino acids
  • 1/4 cup of maple syrup
  • 1 can of tomato paste
  • 3 tbsp of ground dried mustard
  • 3 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp ground pepper
  • ½ tsp cayenne (use less if you don't like it spicy)
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water

Instructions

  1. Generously apply salt and pepper all over the rack of ribs.
  2. Place some ghee/olive oil or preferred fat into a large pan and turn to medium-high heat.
  3. Place the ribs in the heated skillet and brown both sides.
  4. Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and pour into a slow cooker that can fit the ribs. You can also cut the ribs into smaller sections to fit better.
  5. Place the ribs in the sauce and turn the temperature of the slow cooker to low heat.
  6. The sauce should cover the majority of the ribs. If it doesn't add a little more chicken broth or water.
  7. Allow the ribs to cook for 6 hours flipping the ribs around 3 hours.
  8. When the ribs are done they should be falling off the bone. If the BBQ sauce is not thick enough place it in a pot and bring it to a boil and continue boiling it and stirring it until it is thick enough.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 351Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 2924mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 5gSugar: 48gProtein: 11g

Did you make this recipe?

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DISCLOSURE: Not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations is at the choice and risk of the reader. Ditch the Wheat is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I only endorse products that I believe in.

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Carol Lovett is the founder of Ditch the Wheat and a Globe and Mail bestselling author of the cookbook, Ditch the Wheat. She has been eating gluten free since 2010. She loves all things food, natural living, and spiritual. She's also a reiki master and crystal healer.

Gluten Free Resources

Do you need help with gluten free meals?
I recommend this meal-planning app. It makes cooking gluten free dinners extremely easy and family-friendly.
What gluten free snacks can I eat?
Lots! I have a ton of practical gluten free snack recipes in my cookbook.
How can I eat dessert on a gluten free diet?
You can 100% eat dessert while eating gluten free. Try my dessert cookbook for easy gluten free dessert recipes.
How do I know what is gluten free and what isn’t?
I have a whole section is it gluten free?
How do I make substitutions?
If you need substitution advice I created a ton of resources here.

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