Slow Cooker Honey Maple BBQ Ribs

I have had one particular goal in life since getting married, cook the perfect ribs.

This may seem easy enough for most, but I am not most people with it comes to this. Let me explain:

1. I usually only cook chicken breasts, purely for preference. I am a white meat kind of gal. However, I am a white meat kind of gal married to a red meat kind of boy. Enter sob story for my husband… lol! ;)

2. I don’t do well with raw meat. You have heard me explain this to you before, particularly in my Slow Cooker BBQ Ranch Meatloaf post. The less handling of raw meat, the better. I am not a vegetarian by any means (although, I can completely respect those that are), but the thought of raw meat sends anxiety through out my body. I like to dump it into whatever its cooking in as quickly and efficiently as possible. This is one reason most meat I buy is boneless meat. Its ready to go. See my other rib posts; Slow Cooker Hawaiian Ribs and Slow Cooker Easy BBQ Ribs for some boneless recipes (although they could easily be made with bone-in as well).

3. I have been long since been trying to redeem myself from my first rib disaster. Story time. A year or two ago, My husband was coming home from a week long business trip and I REALLY wanted to make him a dinner he would love. Ribs are one of his favorite entrees when we go out to eat, so why not make it homemade?! I bought a rack of ribs from my grocery store, followed a random recipe and threw them in the oven. They couldn’t be that hard, right?… WRONG! He walked in the door to a disaster. I opened up the oven and black smoke was every where and the ribs were burnt to a crisp. Literally. I cried. A lot. Being the sweet husband that he is, he tried his best to eat them with a smile, but we ended up chucking them out and ordering take out instead. Ever since this particular experience, he hasn’t fully trusted me to make ribs that live up to his standards.

Flash forward to today’s recipe. These are PERFECTION. I couldn’t believe how amazing these were when I sampled the finished product. I could hardly wait for my husband to sit down at the dinner table and sample these bad boys for himself! They just fall right off the bone, as a good rib recipe should do. I have decided that bone-in meat is far more tender than boneless (that is unless you screw up and burn your bone-in ribs like me in the story above.)

My husband took one bite of these ribs and exclaimed, “YOU HAVE DONE IT! These could be the best ribs I have ever eaten!!!!” There you have it folks! Not only have I redeemed myself, but this recipe may have topped his favorite ribs chart!

Slow Cooker Honey Maple BBQ Ribs from chef-in-training.com ...Hubby declared these to be the best ribs ever! They are perfectly flavored and fall right off the bone!

4.7 from 10 reviews
Slow Cooker Honey Maple BBQ Ribs
 
These are perfectly flavored and fall right off the bone!
Author:
Recipe type: Entrée
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs. baby back pork rib rack
  • salt
  • pepper
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 3 Tbsp. mustard
  • ¼ cup real maple syrup
  • 1 cup honey BBQ sauce, I love Sweet Baby Ray's
  • additional honey BBQ sauce for after ribs are cooked
Instructions
  1. Season rib rack with salt and pepper.
  2. Place and line the rib rack (height wise) in slow cooker. Place the meaty side facing the outer wall of the slow cooker. Rib rack should curve with the wall of slow cooker.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine honey, mustard, real maple syrup and honey BBQ sauce and stir until well combined.
  4. Take a pastry brush, or smear/spread with spoon, and pour and coat evenly entire rib rack, making sure to get both sides and all edges of the rib rack.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until meat is done and tender.
  6. Once cooked, remove from slow cooker and layer on extra BBQ sauce.

Enjoy!
(Idea of how to place rib rack in slow cooker inspired by Number 2 Pencil)

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #chefintraining and/or #chefintrainingblog. I would love to see how these recipes take shape in your kitchens.

Filed under: BBQ, crock-pot, dinner, pork

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Comments

  1. Tieghan

    These look so saucy and fall off the bone. Perfect!! I have to give the slow cooker method a try!

  2. Lacey

    I am excitedt to have the perfect rib recipe! My family loves ribs too and I am always looking for a great recipe for them! Thanks, your picture is beautiful!

  3. Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil

    I love your cooking stories Nikki, they crack me up! These ribs sound amazing!!! Thanks for the link! xo

  4. Kalyn

    This made me laugh out loud: "I am a white meat kind of gal. However, I am a white meat kind of gal married to a red meat kind of boy. Enter sob story for my husband…"

    But does this ever look good, great photo and sounds delicious.

  5. Ashlee

    Mmmmm I am SO hungry right now and these look SOOO good! I wish I could order through my screen!

  6. Kerry

    O my BF would love this! Maybe he might marry me at last?! haha!

  7. Liz

    I am anxious to try this recipe. I love my slow cooker. Thanks and have a great day!

  8. Kathleen Clegg

    When I was reading this I thought I was reading about myself. I feel just as you do about meat in general. If I have to trim meat, it makes my skin crawl. I am going to try these ribs though. They sound excellent. Do you know if I can make them boneless? I have some in my freezer ready to go.

  9. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious

    Jason is CRAZY about ribs so he will be so happy when I make this for him! Love that I can throw this in the crockpot too!

  10. Stephanie

    This recipe sounds delicious! I think we all have a few of those recipe clunkers that make great stories later on. I am glad you got the chance to redeem yourself! The picture looks lovely!

    P.S.: On step 6 you have 'later' instead of 'layer'. Just something I noticed.

  11. Lauren Everson

    I just bought a rack of baby back ribs because they were on sale and I love ribs (when done right)! I have done a rack in the slow cooker before, and they work out beautifully - perfectly fall of the bone tender. However, I opted to do an Asian style rib recipe. I'm not saying it was bad, it was simply unexpected. When I eat ribs I want exactly what's in your photograph - saucy barbecue-y goodness. I might just have to give these a try!

  12. Jennifer

    HI! I made these last week after I saw your post and I have to say they were amazing! I've tried ribs in the slow cooker before and they've just never come out this tender before. Thanks for posting and sharing the link to Melissa's No 2 Pencil post....I've also tried bbq sauce in the slow cooker before and that has also been a fail until now....the flavors were incredible and the meat was that perfect "fall off the bone." I even caught my husband bragging to his cousin how good the ribs were hehe....thanks for the great recipe! I will definitely be sure to try more from your site!!

  13. Michelle

    Where can I find real maple syrup? Sorry I am a little confused :(

    1. Chef in Training

      next to the syrup but it will say pure maple syrup :) It just has more of a stronger flavor.

  14. Lori Van Emmerik

    In #2, you say place and wrap ribs? What do you wrap them in?

    1. Chef in Training

      you wrap them around the edge of the slow cooker :)

  15. Lisette

    Hello. What if the ribs aren't in rack form and are already separated? Can I follow the same recipe for those? If so is there a manner to how they should be placed in the slow cooker?

    1. MissKitty

      I used bone in beef, and boneless beef ribs and followed this same recipe exactly....Im am NOT creative in the kitchen, AT ALL!! LOL! And they came out Perfect every time! Making them again right now, with boneless beef ribs! Mmmmmm...mmmmm good! Thank Gawd for the creative bloggers in the world...and the internet, my family would probably be non existent right now, due to famish and scurvy..or some crazy form of disease from eating wayyyyyyyyy too much chicken and take out! Lol! So, thank you, Chef in Training, for this blog because I cant cook my way out of or into anything!!! Lol! And the story above, I can SO relate!!! To all of it...I hate raw anything not living! =O Yuck! Blog on, and know, you have a follower for life! =)

  16. Autumn

    Can you cook more than one rack of ribs in a 5 qt crock pot? 2 perhaps?

  17. Sandra

    Made these tonight for my husband's birthday. They turned out wonderful! Thank you for the fantastic recipe!!!!!

  18. Valerie

    I love ribs but have never had very good luck cooking them. Made your crockpot ribs tonight and they were fall off the bone delicious ! Thanks!

  19. Roger

    Tried these last night. Very yummy. I used whole grain "bold" mustard. Next time, I'll substitute the honey BBQ sauce with a chipolte BBQ sauce. Like it a bit spicier, but I think I have found the recipe that I will be using from now on.

  20. Gladys Stough

    The recipe sounds great. I just wanted to know what size slowcooker do you use? I have 3-4 quart or 5-6 quart . Thanks

  21. Brittany

    The thought of cooking ribs absolutely terrifies me. I know so many people who cook "amazing" ribs that I wouldn't even feed to my dog. I guess that's not saying much because I really do care what they eat, but you get the point. My husband absolutely loves ribs and to avoid his kind rejection of yet another red meat dish I make; I've always opted not to make them. However, I saw this recipe and despite my doubts, I gave it a try...... OH. MY. GOSH. These were AMAZING! I was completely blown away myself. My husband said I've been holding out. After 10 years of marriage and I've never made ribs before and I can make them like this? Lol. Our neighbors were quite pleased as well. I used a different brand of sauce... one that actually says gluten free on it. Sweet Baby Ray's says they are gluten free, but I've been contaminated too many times by them. I used top of the line honey and maple syrup. Only because I cook with them regularly though. I didn't specially buy the stuff for this recipe. I actually used spare ribs instead of baby back ribs because that is what the store had when i went shopping. Rolled up they lined the crockpot perfectly tip to tip. Every hour I basted the ribs and half way through I actually flipped them. Your steps didn't call for this, but I was worried (since using spare ribs instead of baby back) that they wouldn't get done/tender in the given time and I was cooking on a time schedule. I cooked them for seven hours and twenty minutes. At the end I pulled them out very carefully, laid them out on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet, drizzled some more sauce on top, and slid them into the oven on broil for about 5 minutes to make the sauce thicken up and the edges darken just a little more. WOOOW!!!!!!!! Absolutely wow! I will make these again... even though I'm personally not a big rib eater, I know far too many people who are to hold this recipe a secret! Thank you so much for the share. I'm surprised you aren't getting more feed back. You definitely need to get this recipe out there. I know it's a long comment. Couldn't help it. DELICIOUS!!!

  22. Are Hall

    What does "Place and wrap rib rack in slow cooker" mean? Is there a wrap part left out, what do I wrap them in?

    1. Chef in Training

      no you don't wrap the ribs themselves you just place it in the crockpot along the outer edge wrapping it along side the crock pot with the curves. Does that make sense?

  23. Petunia

    Can beef ribs be substituted for the pork ribs?

  24. Linda

    Is the mustard dry or prepared?

  25. MaryAnn

    5

    Wow! Best ribs I've ever made! Great recipe, thanks for sharing. Now excuse me while I go throw away all my other rib recipes, they won't be needed here anymore.....

  26. Tammy

    This looks so delicious, my husband will be so happy to try this recipe.

  27. ELLEN

    Could you please clarify--what kind of mustard--prepared yellow or ground?...Haven't made these ribs, yet.... will be making them though based on the comments...

    1. Chef in Training

      I used prepared mustard :) You will have to let me know how you like them!

  28. Beth W.

    5

    Delicious! We loved this! Thumbs up all around the table. I used boneless country ribs because I had them on hand. Highly recommend! Thanks for a great recipe. Don't tell Mel from Mel's Kitchen Cafe that I strayed to a new blogger ;-) You have been added to my favorites list now.

  29. sarah

    5

    I have made these 3 times now and they are delicious. Almost becoming a weekly meal they are so good. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes!

  30. Amelia

    hiw do you wrap the ribs and why wouldn't I put the sauce before I place them in?

    1. Chef in Training

      I just mean line the outer edge of the slow cooker with the fatty side of the ribs, having it pressed up against the side and molding the rib rack along the end of the slow cooker.

  31. Dianna

    Totally get how you feel about raw meat! I am the same way! I do everything I can to avoid touching it. I didn't make meatloaf for years. I have a Kitchenaid mixer and make it in that. My family loves meatloaf and I have been trying to make more things at home and from scratch as much as possible.

  32. Nancy

    What do you mean by "wrapping" the ribs before placing in slow cooker? Sounds and looks delish! Cant wait to try!

    1. Chef in Training

      just lining the fatty side of the ribs around the outer edge of the slow cooker. Does that make sense? Please let me know if it doesn't or if you have any further questions.

    2. Veronica O

      I've read a few times about how to wrap the ribs..... do you have any pictures? :) I am SO excited to try this. Do you think if I used a crock pot liner it would make any difference?

    3. Ellyn Minor

      4

      Does 3 LBS fill a 6 Quart or will it hold more? I am cooking for a crowd I do have 2 slow cookers

  33. Kenya

    5

    Made this today step by step. Instant hit, the meat fell off the bone it was so tender. The sauce was great! Thanks for sharing. I'm a fan!!

  34. Anne Marie

    5

    I have made the. Slow cooker honey maple BBQ ribs several times for family and friends and it is always a bit hit! Simple to make and well worth the extra few pennies to buy the real maple syrup.

  35. Gillian Robertson

    5

    Which kind of prepared mustard? English, Dijon, Whole grain or any of the other various types of mustard available???

  36. Meg

    Broil them for 15 minutes after you take them out of the slow cooker. It will char them a little and make the sauce super sticky. So delicious.

  37. Neli

    If I'm allergic to mustard seed, do I have to pass on this recipe? Any substitution suggestions? It looks so good and I'd love to try!

  38. Zohra

    Hi, I made this today ... Turned out awesome!! Just one thing... I have a little too much gravy left after the ribs are cooked ... What can I do to thicken the gravy?
    Thanks.

  39. Doreen

    What is a rib rack ?

  40. MIssy

    Do you use fresh or frozen ribs?
    If frozen, do you need to thaw before cooking in crockpot?

    1. Chef in Training

      for this particular recipe I use thawed/fresh ribs.

  41. Debie

    Thank you for sharing your recipe. I too have never had any success with ribs.
    In your ingredients list do you use prepared mustard or mustard powder?
    Thank you
    Deb

  42. Diana

    3

    I had this problem also. I couldn't get fall off bone ribs on grill, I now put them in pressure cooker for 30 mins, then put them on grill or in the oven with babecue sauce just to get grill marks and they just fall off the bone. I made a believer out of a friend of ours who now wants a pressure cooker

  43. Christy

    Is there something else I can use besides the mustard? We are a non-mustard family. No one likes it. It's not even in the house... I have mustard powder for cooking, but they swear they can taste it even when it's a pinch.. *eye roll* ... I guess I can just omit it, but I'm sure it adds something we'll be missing. Any suggestions?

    1. Chef in Training

      I am not sure a substitute, but I promise, you can't even taste the mustard. It just enhances the flavor :)

  44. Shelley

    Question, at the end when you pull the ribs out, do you out the same sauce mixture on them or did you just use plain bbq sauce??? Thanks!! I'm cooking them now!!

  45. Kristen Poyner

    I just came across this recipe and it sounds awesome. I have a question though. I have tried to make ribs before, with well not disastrous results. But I know there is a membrane on the back. My question is do you take it off or leave it?

    1. Sandy Cabalka

      I always peel the membrane off - I think it allows the sauce to soak in better. My trick, slice the membrane at one end, then using a paper towel, grab and pull. Easy peasy!

  46. Jersey.Karen

    5

    HI. I tryed your recipe last Night it was soso good, the meat fell off the bone.

  47. Misskitty

    5

    4 years later, and THIS is STILL my go to for crock pot ribs! Of any kind! I love this recipe! Just wanted to come back by and say thanks, again!

  48. Jan

    this sounds amazing I did get some short ribs boneless on sale would they be as effective there already precut so I'm not going to be able to make the rib rack