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Now that it’s officially spring, it’s time to fire up the grill and start cooking your favorite barbecue dishes. We’re talking smoked brisket, grilled chicken, and of course, tender barbecue ribs. But spring weather doesn’t always satisfy our appetites. Others don’t have the outdoor space to host a large barbecue. Leave it to pioneer woman Ree Drummond to find the simplest solution. She makes sticky, tangy, spicy barbecued pork ribs in the slow cooker.
The best part about making ribs in the slow cooker is that they leave an incredible aroma that lasts for hours in your house. By the time the family sits down to eat, ribs are probably on everyone’s mind. The slow cooker’s cool, moist environment also ensures that the ribs are melt-in-your-mouth tender. Some professional barbecue pitmasters argue that ribs shouldn’t be so tender that they fall off the bone, but we know plenty of people who do. i disagree.
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The Pioneer Woman Meandering Geo 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker
But the slow cooker is just one of the Pioneer Woman’s secrets to making perfect pork ribs indoors. Because slow-cooker ribs don’t get the added flavor of charcoal or wood smoke, Drummond makes a complex sauce and finishes it off with a drizzle. She uses ingredients like chipotle, ginger, soy sauce, and mustard in her adobo to create layers of flavor. Next, add some apricot jam to the jar to give the sauce an amazing sticky texture. Of course, if you’re short on time, you can always use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce.
Finally, to ensure the glaze adheres to the ribs and infuses the flavors, bake in a hot oven, brushing the glaze every 15 minutes until it thickens. If you want to get additional char, you can also run them under the broiler.
Next time you’re craving ribs but don’t feel like firing up the smoker, try Pioneer Woman’s easy slow cooker rib recipe. Pair it with your favorite sides and you’ve got a summer feast you can enjoy any time of the year.
Before you go, check out our roundup of summer cocktails below.
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