Smoky Mesquite BBQ Slow Cooker Beer Ribs

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If you don't have a smoker, but want to create that smoky flavor, you can make that happen in your slow cooker with soaked mesquite wood chips and a little liquid smoke!

This Smoky Mesquite BBQ Slow Cooker Beer Ribs Recipe is the perfect Father's Day recipe- smoky mesquite BBQ flavor, beer and baby back ribs... what more could Dad possibly want?! And you don't have to heat up your house or grill anything- the slow cooker does all the work for you!

Slow Cooker BBQ ribs

Obviously there is no actual smoke involved in these slow cooker BBQ ribs, so they're not going to taste exactly the same as making ribs in a smoker, but it's a close second! Is there anything a slow cooker can't do?! You've heard me say it before.... it's my fave small appliance, along with my Bread Machine, of course. What's not to love about a small appliance that does the work for you while you go about your day? 

Slow cooker beer ribs

The beer adds a really nice depth of flavor that melds beautifully with the smoky mesquite flavors of these slow cooker ribs. Like salt, alcohol brings out the flavor in food. Whether you’re cooking with wine, beer, or liquor, the alcohol in these beverages improves flavor perception in at least two important ways: by evaporation and by molecular bonding. You can read more about that HERE.  And slow cooking with alcohol is the ultimate method when it comes to making those flavors shine! These slow cooker beer ribs are true testimony to that.

But why cook with beer?

Beer adds a more complex depth of flavor to a finished creation. It lends itself to the rich flavors of meat, soups and stews. The spicy, fragrant flavors in many beer varieties compliment pork, beef, curries, chicken or even fish. If a recipe calls for a liquid, such as wine, stock, milk, water; you can easily substitute with beer. You can read more HERE.

And if you love cooking with beer, you'll love my Beer can Chicken Recipe !

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5 from 5 votes

Smoky Mesquite BBQ Slow Cooker Beer Ribs

If you don't have a smoker, but want to create that smoky flavor, you can do it in your slow cooker with soaked mesquite wood chips and a little liquid smoke. These Smoky Mesquite BBQ Slow Cooker Beer Ribs are loaded with flavor and there's no heating up the house or using the grill required. The slow cooker does all the work for you!

Course dinner

Cuisine American, Canadian, North American

Keyword beer, ribs, slow cooker

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours 40 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 470kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 5 lbs -of pork back ribs (baby back ribs) *approximately - about 2 racks
• ½ cup beer any kind (I used Coors light)
• 1 cup fave BBQ sauce *I use President's Choice gourmet
• 1 tbsp liquid smoke * mesquite flavor

Spice Rub

• 3 tbsp seasoning salt I use Hy's
• 1 tbsp cajun seasoning

Mesquite Wood Chips Packet

• 2 cups mesquite or hickory wood chips
• water to cover wood chips

Garnish/Topping

• additional BBQ sauce (to your liking) * I used about another ⅔ cup

Instructions

Mesquite Wood Chips Packet

• Soak your wood chips in a bowl with water for at least 30 minutes. Then drain the water.
  
• Spread out a good-sized length of parchment paper (15x20 inches approx) on the counter.
  
• Put the wood chips in the middle of the parchment paper.
  
• Fold over the edges of the parchment paper (long way)
  
• Fold over the other side- similar to the way you'd make a foil packet for your BBQ.
  
• Staple the ends, ensuring it will fit inside your slow cooker.
  
• With scissors, cut teeny tiny holes here and there in the top level of the parchment paper to let smoky steam escape.
  
• Place packet in the bottom of your slow cooker.
  

Spice Rub

• Mix seasoning salt and cajun seasoning together.
  
• Rub all sides of your meat with spice rub. Put it in the crockpot, directly on top of the parchment paper packet
  
• Cover with beer and add liquid smoke.
  
• Add your ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce and put the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on low for approximately 8-9 hours. ** I added the additional ½ cup of BBQ sauce towards the end of the cooking process - about 6.5 hrs, but you could add it at the beginning or earlier.
  
• The meat is done when it is cooked through and has reached desired tenderness.

Garnish/Topping

• Add additional BBQ sauce to your liking.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Smoky Mesquite BBQ Slow Cooker Beer Ribs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 470 Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Fat 30g46%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Cholesterol 123mg41%

Sodium 3140mg137%

Potassium 543mg16%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 35g70%

Vitamin A 538IU11%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 71mg7%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 3140mg | Potassium: 543mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 538IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 2mg

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And be sure to check out my other Slow Cooker Recipes!

This recipe is part of The Country Cook Weekend Potluck!