Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Ribs (Gluten-Free)

Fall-off-the-bone tender, flavorful Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Ribs pair the perfect sweetness of apples with a smoky barbecue flavor, making for an easy weeknight meal!

Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Ribs are the perfect meal for a busy weeknight or even weekend too. They are packed with mouthwatering flavor with the addition of apple cider and apple barbecue sauce to create delicious, tender rib meat that falls right off the bone.

This recipe is adapted from our original Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs Recipe.

What ingredients do you need for Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Ribs?

• Baby Back Ribs or Spare Ribs
• Brown Sugar
• Head Country Apple Habanero Barbecue Sauce
• Apple Cider
• Liquid Smoke
• Worcestershire Sauce

What barbecue sauce should you use for this rack of ribs?

In order to truly get that apple flavor, I highly suggest using Head Country Apple Habanero Barbecue Sauce. It has a wonderful apple flavor that pairs well with this recipe.

If you choose not to use this sauce, use your preferred barbecue sauce; however, remember the apple flavor may be a little less than it would be with this sauce.

Tips for Making Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Ribs:

Pork Ribs are used for this recipe and can be either Baby Back Ribs or Spare Ribs, but they will need to be cut to fit your slow cooker. This recipe is typically made in a 6-quart slow cooker.

The first step will be to remove any membrane or silver skin if not already from the back of the ribs. Once this is done, then a sharp knife can be used to cut the ribs to fit in your slow cooker.

Once the ribs are cut, keep them on the cutting board and coat them with a layer of brown sugar. Then, the ribs can be placed into the slow cooker or Crockpot.

Next, the sauce will be made by combining the barbecue sauce, apple cider, liquid smoke, and Worcestershire sauce. This will then be coated over the ribs with a brush and the additional coating can be spread around the ribs in the slow cooker too.

Once done, the ribs will cook on low for 6 hours.

The ribs will be easy to remove from the slow cooker. The meat will fall off the bone when pulled slightly with a fork, but it should not completely fall apart when removed from the slow cooker.

Remember that this recipe uses REAL Apple Cider NOT Apple Cider Vinegar, these are two different things.

Should the ribs be broiled?

If you prefer a sticky, crispy rib over the meat falling off the bone entirely, then they can be broiled after cooking. This is a completely optional step and they will taste fabulous with or without doing this step.

After the slow cooking time, carefully remove the ribs and place them on a baking sheet. Coat the ribs with additional barbecue sauce and broil on low in the oven for 5-7 minutes.

Generally, we do not do this step; however, it can be done.

Variations of Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Ribs:

• Make it Deluxe – Use an additional dry rub of choice to coat the ribs with prior to adding to the Crockpot or Slow Cooker.
• Make it Spicy – Add an extra level of spicy with red pepper flakes or jalapenos.

How do you store leftovers?

Once the ribs are fully cooled, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, place the ribs on an oven-safe pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, they can be placed on a microwave-safe plate and heated for 1-2 minutes to rewarm.

Slow cooker apple BBQ ribs are the perfect blend of sweet and smoky, with a tenderness that’s hard to resist. This recipe is easy, flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. These pair wonderfully with a variety of sides like potato salad, broccoli salad, or baked beans.

Best Side Dishes:

• Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (Gluten-Free)

• Gluten-Free Easy Potato Salad Recipe

• Easy Campfire Beans

• How to Make Coleslaw Dressing