Slow cooker BBQ ribs

Name: Slow cooker BBQ ribs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h 30 min
Total time: 6 h 50 min
Yield: 4 - 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1.5kg pork spare ribs; 500 mL apple juice; 250 mL barbecue saue; 1 large red chilli, sliced into rings; 1 star anise; 2 tbsp. finely chopped chives

We adore BBQ ribs, and this slow cooker version is great if you want to pop on and leave to cook.

By Emma FranklinUpdated: 16 September 2019

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Let the slow cooker do all the work with these delicious meaty pork spare ribs, slow cooked in spiced apple juice until wonderfully tender, then simply glaze with your favourite barbecue sauce.

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Yields:

4 - 6 serving(s)

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

6 hrs 30 mins

Total Time:

6 hrs 50 mins

Cal/Serv:

488

Ingredients

1.5kg pork spare ribs
500 ml apple juice
250 ml barbecue saue
1 large red chilli, sliced into rings
1 star anise
2 Tbsp. finely chopped chives

Directions

1. Step 1Place spare ribs in a slow cooker with the apple juice, 4tbsp of the barbecue sauce, the chilli and star anise. Add cold water to just cover the ribs. Cover with a lid and cook on low for 6hr, until very tender.
2. Step 2If finishing ribs in the oven, preheat it to 220°C (200°C fan) mark 7. Or prepare barbecue on a medium heat. Brush ribs all over with remaining barbecue sauce. If finishing in the oven, transfer to a large baking tray lined with baking parchment. Cook ribs in oven or on barbecue for 20-25min, turning occasionally, until starting to char and crisp. Alternatively, to finish in the slow cooker, strain off the cooking liquid and pour the barbecue sauce over the ribs, turning to coat. Recover with a lid and cook for 30min on high, until the sauce is hot. Scatter over chives before serving.

Get ahead: Slow-cook the pork ribs a day ahead, cool, cover and chill in their cooking liquid. To serve, bring up to room temperature for 1hr before finishing in the oven or on the barbecue.