Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Ribs

By dena

These bad boys are good! The fact that these cook in the slow cooker means you don’t have to worry about them, and that they have plenty of time to cook low and slow, until they’re tender and juicy, just how we like them. Then there’s the fact that these aren’t regular ribs, they’re apple ribs. The apples, along with the spruced up sauce we added, cook to thickened perfection, adding delicious flavor and kicking the whole dish up several notches. If you or your family consider yourselves BBQ lovers, you’re going to want to try this one…it’s just so good!

Ingredients

• 2 racks pork spareribs
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 (16 oz.) bottle barbecue sauce, divided
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 apple, cored and sliced
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 240mins
Adapted from 12tomatoes.com

Preparation

Step 1

20 minutes active; 4+ hours inactive to prepare serves 6-8

Cut ribs into small sections, and line the bottom and sides of slow cooker with ribs. Place apple slices on top of ribs.

In a blender or food processor, combine applesauce, maple syrup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, 1/2 BBQ sauce, and cinnamon, along with onion and garlic. Pulse until smooth.

Pour sauce (all except 1/2 cup) over ribs and cover slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10, until ribs are cooked through and tender.

Remove ribs from slow cooker and brush with remaining sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!