Sticky BBQ Ribs (paleo recipe)
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Prepare to lick those fingers clean after digging into these crave-worthy paleo ribs! Coated with an easy-to-make spice rub, slow-cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender, and then slathered in an easy-to-make (and refined sugar-free!) chocolate BBQ sauce. Finish them off with a quick grill or broil, allowing the sauce to caramelize and create a savory-sweet, sticky exterior.
I hope you’re ready for sticky fingers, a very happy belly, and absolutely zero regrets. These paleo ribs are pure comfort food bliss, and they’re shockingly easy to make. With just a handful of pantry staples and a slow cooker doing most of the work, this is one of those recipes that feels almost too good to be true.
I rub the ribs with a simple spice blend, tuck them into the slow cooker, and let them do their thing until they’re fall-apart tender. Right before serving, I brush them with sauce and finish them under the broiler or on the grill for that irresistible caramelized edge.
They’re easy enough to pull off on a weeknight, but impressive enough to serve when friends are coming over. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand — you’re going to need them.
Ingredients notes
Paleo ribs call for paleo ingredients! This recipe has a little secret weapon in the ingredients list: dark chocolate! It adds a rich depth and complex character to the BBQ sauce without being obviously chocolate-y. This is what you need:
- Baby back ribs: Also called pork back ribs!
- Paleo rib rub: Coconut sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Paleo BBQ sauce: Tomato sauce, coconut sugar, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and dark chocolate.
- Collagen: This ingredient is optional, so feel free to omit it.
- Optional: liquid smoke.
Baby back ribs vs pork back ribs
You’ve probably heard of baby back ribs, and you’ve probably heard of pork back ribs… So, what is the difference? Nothing! They’re the same. Despite different names, baby back ribs and pork back ribs are identical cuts of meat; you might also see them labeled as pork loin back ribs or loin ribs. We like pork back ribs (and baby back ribs) as they are meatier, and more meat = better ribs!
Can you use spare ribs or short ribs?
Back ribs are pretty easy to find, but if your store is out, don’t despair. You can still make this recipe using spare ribs (also known as pork side ribs) or short ribs. Spare ribs and short ribs have a higher fat content and less meat, and make delicious paleo short ribs or paleo spare ribs! The higher fat content means they’re extra tender and flavorful. The cooking time won’t differ in this recipe as they’re first cooked in the slow cooker.
So, where do you buy these ribs? Start by checking out your nearby supermarket, where you’ll likely find a selection of ribs in the meat produce section. If your local supermarket is small and you can’t see them, try visiting your local butcher!
What to serve with paleo ribs
Turn these paleo ribs into a meal by serving them beside some filling veggies. Our top picks are some sauteed green beans with garlic and some herb and garlic butter smashed sweet potatoes on the side! Some other ideas:
Sticky Paleo Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs (about 2 lb) (also called pork back ribs)
Paleo Rib Rub
- 2 tablespoons EACH: coconut sugar, chili powder, and smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder and sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Paleo BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup collagen (see notes)
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon EACH: chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Optional: 6 drops of liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons chopped dark chocolate
Instructions
- Remove the thin, papery skin from the back of the ribs. Once you get it started, it should pull off in one piece. Some butchers will do this for you. If you have a small BBQ, cut the rack of ribs in half.1 rack baby back ribs (about 2 lb)
- Mix the rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Sprinkle the rub over the meaty side of the ribs and pat it down so that it is well covered.2 tablespoons EACH: coconut sugar, chili powder, and smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and sea salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Pop the ribs into your crockpot and cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
- Add the tomato sauce, collagen, coconut sugar, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and (if using) the liquid smoke to a small pan over medium-high heat. Whisk the ingredients together and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate, and whisk it into the BBQ sauce.½ cup tomato sauce, ¼ cup collagen, ¼ cup coconut sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon EACH: chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, ½ teaspoon sea salt, Optional: 6 drops of liquid smoke, 2 tablespoons chopped dark chocolate
To Grill the ribs
- Preheat your grill to medium-high. Take the ribs out of the crockpot and baste them generously in the chocolate BBQ sauce. Grill for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
To Bake the Ribs
- Preheat your oven to broil. Take the ribs out of the crockpot and place them on a baking sheet. Baste them generously with the chocolate BBQ sauce then broil for 3-5 minutes on each side.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
More paleo dinner recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of our ribs recipes!
Do use a bar of unsweetened chocolate or the dark chocolate that has sugar in it?
We use dark chocolate. 🙂
Excellent!
Do you put any liquid in the crockpot with the ribs?
Nope! Just coat them in the rub.
What tomato sauce do you use? Do you mean ketchup? Or plain tomato sauce that you would use for pasta? Or passata? Thank you!
This is the tomato sauce that we use. It’s a plain tomato sauce that you could use to make pasta sauce. Passata would also work, but you may need to thin it slightly.
I’m so happy to hear you liked them!!
Hi Kristen
Can this sauce be made without the collagen ?
Lucy
It can. It just won’t have the boost of collagen that Vital Proteins gives it.