Why Some Chefs Recommend You Start Slow Cooking Your Ribs

It seems like every other day you hear about some new kitchen device or gadget that promises to enrich your life and make dinnertime a breeze. You have your air fryers, which are small convection ovens that create crispy textures without an excess of fat. Then there's the Instant Pot, a multi-purpose device that can serve as a steamer, pressure cooker, and sauté pan, along with many other functions.

Slow cookers certainly aren't a new kitchen device, but they've managed to capture the attention of homemakers for many decades now. The first slow cooker, called the Naxon Beanery, was patented in 1940 with the intended purpose of allowing Jewish families to prepare a special stew prior to the Sabbath. Inventor Irving Nachumsohn eventually sold his patent to Kansas City's Rival Manufacturing in 1970, at which point the device became known as the Crock Pot. The Crock Pot quickly achieved success, earning $93 million in sales just four years after its launch.

Slow cookers remain a popular kitchen tool because of the convenience they afford. The device also offers a great alternative to cooking methods like grilling when it comes to ribs. "Ribs do really well in the slow cooker," chef and cookbook author Kim Laidlaw tells Insider. It's a technique embraced by other professionals, including chef Jeff Jackson of Smith's in Salt Lake City, who uses a slow cooker to prepare ribs spiked with Dr Pepper soda, as detailed by KSTU.

Despite the fun of grilling ribs, it's not always feasible when you get a craving. For many, grilling is a culinary activity relegated to the spring and summer months. The process is also pretty labor-intensive, which is why ribs are sometimes saved for special occasions. While the actual grilling time is brief, you often need to braise the meat beforehand to ensure it takes on the optimum texture. As a result, grilling ribs might not be the best idea on a busy weeknight after a long day at work.

That's precisely where your slow cooker comes in. There are lots of recipes for slow cooker ribs that yield tender, tasty meat without a lot of work. One simple method involves adding 1/2 cup of water to the slow cooker after seasoning your ribs, though you can use broth for an extra flavor boost. In the ribs go, followed by a sprinkling of chopped onion and garlic. With the slow cooker set on high, the fatty cuts of meat should be done in a little over four hours. They can then be slathered in barbecue sauce and placed in the oven for another 10 minutes so the condiment can turn into a glaze. The result is ribs that practically fall off the bone, without the need for a grill. And if you think ribs are an unlikely selection, wait until you find out what else you can make in a slow cooker.

Pecan pie is a tasty southern tradition. While normally associated with holiday celebrations, the dessert can also be conveniently made in a slow cooker any time of the year. Simply add pie crust to the bottom of the slow cooker, which should be protected with non-stick paper to ensure easy removal of the pie. Mix pecans and other ingredients in a bowl and add to the crust while it's still in the slow cooker. After about three hours, the pie can be removed. The pie can also be placed into the oven for three to four minutes to ensure the top is perfectly brown.

If you're looking for an easy and delicious vegetarian meal for dinner, Better Homes & Gardens' slow cooker falafel is an excellent option that doesn't involve frying. Chickpeas and other ingredients are mashed in a bowl and formed into eight slightly bulbous patties. After adding oil to the slow cooker, patties can be placed in the bottom. The total cooking time is about five hours, and the falafels should be turned one time to ensure even doneness.

And if you have your heart set on slow cooker ribs, there's a clever way to upgrade the experience. For the fullest barbecue facsimile, you can turn your slow cooker or Instant Pot into a makeshift smoker. These and other recipes show that slow cookers are a lot more versatile than one might initially think.