Slow-Cooker BBQ Ribs
Slow-Cooker BBQ Ribs are a beloved American comfort food where pork ribs are seasoned with a dry rub, then cooked low and slow in a barbecue sauce until fall-off-the-bone tender. The dish typically features pork baby back or spare ribs, a blend of spices like paprika and garlic, and a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. It's a staple of backyard cookouts and Southern cuisine, with roots in various regional American barbecue traditions.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein and fat, with very few carbohydrates coming primarily from the BBQ sauce. A typical serving (about 4-5 oz of meat) provides a significant amount of protein, B vitamins, and minerals like zinc and selenium, with a calorie range of roughly 350-450 calories depending on the cut and sauce.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 650 kcal |
| Protein | 45 g |
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Fat | 45 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
| Potassium | 500 mg |
| Phosphorus | 350 mg |
| Zinc | 8 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 10 mg |
| Selenium | 40 mcg |
| Cholesterol | 180 mg |
Per 1/2 rack (about 225 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, BBQ ribs are a centerpiece of American communal dining and competition cooking, with fierce regional rivalries over the 'best' style. Nutritionally, the slow-cooking method makes the collagen in the ribs break down into gelatin, creating a uniquely tender texture while also rendering much of the fat.
