Ashley’s Crock Pot Pork Ribs ๐๐ฅ
History:
Crock Pot Pork Ribs, often called slow-cooked or crockpot ribs, is a delicious and convenient dish that allows you to enjoy tender and flavorful pork ribs with minimal effort. The slow cooking method is inspired by traditional barbecue techniques, where ribs are cooked slowly over low heat to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Components:
- Pork Ribs: The star of the dish, typically baby back ribs or spare ribs. You’ll need around 3-4 pounds of ribs for this recipe.
- BBQ Sauce: A key ingredient that provides the ribs with their signature smoky and sweet flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade sauce.
- Seasonings: Ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to season the ribs.
- Vegetables (optional): You can add onions, bell peppers, or garlic for extra flavor.
Steps to Prepare:
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Preparation: Start by removing the membrane from the back of the ribs for better tenderness. Season the ribs with your choice of seasonings, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
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Searing (Optional): In a hot skillet, you can sear the ribs briefly to lock in flavor, but this step is optional.
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Layering: Place a layer of ribs at the bottom of your crockpot, followed by a generous amount of BBQ sauce. Add any optional vegetables at this stage.
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Repeat: Continue layering ribs and sauce until all the ribs are in the crockpot. Make sure to coat each layer of ribs thoroughly with sauce.
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Cooking: Set your crockpot to low heat and cover. Slow cook the ribs for 6-8 hours until they become tender and easily pull apart with a fork. Cooking times can vary based on your specific crockpot model, so check them periodically.
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Finishing Touch: When the ribs are almost done, you can optionally transfer them to a preheated oven or grill to caramelize the BBQ sauce and give them a bit of a charred, smoky flavor.
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Serve: Plate the ribs, drizzle with more BBQ sauce, and garnish with fresh herbs or additional seasonings.
Time Needed:
The preparation time for Ashley’s Crock Pot Pork Ribs is relatively short, typically around 20-30 minutes. The majority of the time (6-8 hours) is spent in the slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld and the ribs to become incredibly tender. If you choose to sear or finish them in the oven or on the grill, that will add extra time.
Enjoy your mouthwatering Crock Pot Pork Ribs! ๐๐๐
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and health information for Crock Pot Pork Ribs:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per 3-ounce serving of cooked pork ribs):
- Calories: 283 kcal
- Protein: 20 grams
- Total Fat: 22 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Monounsaturated Fat: 9 grams
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 grams
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Potassium: 245 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugars: 0 grams
- Vitamin A: 1% of Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 1% of Daily Value
- Calcium: 2% of Daily Value
- Iron: 6% of Daily Value
Health Information:
- Protein: Pork ribs are a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.
- Fats: Ribs contain a notable amount of fat, with the majority being unsaturated fats. While excessive consumption of saturated fats should be limited for heart health, moderate intake of healthy fats is necessary for a balanced diet.
- Cholesterol: Pork ribs are relatively high in cholesterol, so it’s advisable to consume them in moderation, especially if you have high cholesterol levels.
- Sodium: The sodium content is relatively low, which is a positive aspect for those watching their sodium intake.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Ribs provide some essential vitamins and minerals, albeit in relatively small quantities. They contain a bit of vitamin A and iron.
It’s important to note that the nutrition facts can vary based on the specific cut of pork ribs, the BBQ sauce used, and the cooking method. While pork ribs are delicious, it’s recommended to enjoy them as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your diet due to their higher fat and cholesterol content. Balancing them with plenty of vegetables and other nutrient-rich foods is a good dietary practice.