Slow-Cooked Beef Back Ribs with Smoky Paprika Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

Tender beef back ribs slow-cooked in a rich smoky paprika glaze, perfect for a comforting meal with deep layers of flavor. This beef recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs beef back ribs, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs beef back ribs
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp olive oil

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to create the dry rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs beef back ribs thoroughly with 2 tbsp olive oil, then evenly coat with the dry rub mixture, pressing it into the meat.
3. Step 3: Place the ribs in a slow cooker. Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup water around the ribs.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours, or until the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender.
5. Step 5: Optional: For a crispy finish, preheat the oven broiler. Remove ribs from slow cooker, place on a foil-lined baking sheet, and broil for 3-5 minutes until the edges caramelize and become crispy.
6. Step 6: Serve ribs hot with your choice of sides.