Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches

Sabrina Snyderby Sabrina SnyderPublished: March 16, 2017 41 Comments
5 from 4 votes

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Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald’s bbq sauce, onions and pickles.

Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.

Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches are the best of both worlds. You get that amazing McDonalds McRib bbq sauce but with rib meat that is actual tender ribs instead of a pork patty in the shape of ribs. If what you’re hoping for is the actual patty flavor, Serious Eats has a pretty in depth copycat recipe. For me the idea I was getting ribs was exciting even if the patty was always a bit of a letdown. Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.

Enter the Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches, made from baby back ribs with the classic onion and pickle topping. The recipe is pretty darn easy and the bbq sauce is just a quick 15 minute simmer on the stovetop that you can do anytime. We also like to use the bbq sauce on chicken and slow cooker shredded beef here.

I use baby back ribs for the recipe for a few reasons. First, I think they’re the most tender and flavorful, second they fit best in the hoagie rolls. You can use any kind of ribs you prefer, but if you use a different cut, you may not get the same pretty rib “patty” look. Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.

Looking for more BBQ Recipes?

Looking for more Slow Cooker Sandwich ideas?

Tools used in the making of these Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches:
Slow Cooker: Love this slow cooker and how programmable it is, it has been a workhorse for me… until…
My New Slow Cooker: This recipe was made in this slow cooker. For larger roasts I also brown the meat in the insert and not lose a bunch of the flavor by transferring the meat and leaving the browned bits behind. If you’re thinking of a new slow cooker, consider it if your budget is open.
Spice Rack – I buy spices in bulk from local grocers and from Penzey’s. It’s less expensive and significantly higher quality than buying the jars individually but I ended up being left with tons of little bags of spices. Enter the spice rack.
Sheet Pan – This pan stands up to the high heat of broiling without warping and it is nonstick to boot.

Recipe

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Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.
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Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches

5 from 4 votes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours
  • Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
  • Course: Main
  • Cuisine: American
  • Author: Sabrina Snyder
Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.

Ingredients

For the Ribs:

  • 1 rack of baby back ribs cut in half to fit the slow cooker
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
US Customary - Metric

McDonalds BBQ Sauce:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
US Customary - Metric

For Assembly:

  • 4 hoagie rolls
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 12 pickles
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions in a large 1" dice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.

  1. Put the ribs in the slow cooker and top with salt and pepper.

  2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

  3. While the ribs are cooking make your bbq sauce.

  4. Add the McDonalds BBQ Sauce ingredients into a saucepan and cook on low for 15-18 minutes or until sauce is thickened enough to coat a spoon and leave a line when you swipe your finger across the spoon.

  5. When ribs are done remove them from the slow cooker and put them onto a sheet pan.
  6. Cover with bbq sauce.

  7. Broil for 1-2 minutes on the top shelf of your oven.

  8. Spread butter on your hoagie rolls and toast.
  9. Slide the bones out of your ribs (they should come right out with a little twisting).
  10. Use 1/4 of the ribs on each hoagie, then top each one with three pickles and a sprinkling of onion.

Recipe Notes

McDonalds BBQ Sauce recipe from my hometown paper, the LA Times.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 4 servings, Amount per serving: 533 calories, Calories: 533g, Carbohydrates: 66g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 2976mg, Potassium: 671mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 1415g, Vitamin C: 6.7g, Calcium: 143g, Iron: 12.7g

All images and text © for Dinner, then Dessert.

Keyword: Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches
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Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.

Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.
Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.
Slow Cooker McRib Sandwiches with an amazing baby back rib meat topped with the classic McDonald's bbq sauce, onions and pickles.

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Comments

  1. cant wait to make this recipe! Im a huge McRib fan and always get annoyed when McDs teazes us, if you blink you will miss out! my question for you about the ribs, do you need to remove the underside silver skin before cooking in the crock pot?

    Reply

  2. My 10 year old is just getting into cooking, and he wanted to make this. We made it exactly as written and it was delicious, thank you! 🙂

    Reply

  4. Looks beautiful and delicious! I do some prep ahead meals but not that many. I think this is very worthwhile and nice to know you always have a meal on hand!

    Reply

  5. Can I sear the meat in a skillet before I put it in the slow cooker? I always sear meat first before adding them to the slow cooker to seal in the juices.

    Reply

  8. These look amazing!!!! I’m pinning this and will use on an RV trip this fall – if I can wait that long!
    Thanks for posting.

    Reply

    1. Well, that’s totally different than the recipe! The problem with the actual recipe is that is says cooking time is 15 minutes. I’m fully aware that these are done in a slow cooker, so, please correct the cooking time to display 7-8 hours!

      Reply

  9. These ribs were delicious! I did cook the ribs with a sliced onion, other seasonings and in a can of beer. Other than that, I followed the recipe by making the sauce, putting it on the ribs and broiling them in the oven. Absolutely my new favorite way to make ribs!

    Reply

    2. Hey Dana, got you ribs drunk, that is great everything is better with beer and bacon 🙂 This recipe looks great..

      Reply

    1. My only worry about using a smaller slow cooker is that it might take longer to cook or they might not cook evenly being a bit crowded. You may want to only make it as a half rack, depending on the size of the ribs otherwise no modifications.

      Reply

  11. Have you ever had issues with baby back ribs having little bones aside from the main bones? For some reason whenever I get ribs at like Texas Roadhouse I get little chunks of bones in their ribs, which I believe are baby back ribs.

    Reply

  12. Hi Sabrina,
    These rib sandwich look great!
    Do you put the baby back ribs in the slow cooker dry?
    Don’t you always have to have liquid when cooker in the slow cooker?
    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Yes, I put them in dry. No need to add liquids as the fat will render down to help cook while still having a nice crisp on it. Enjoy!

      Reply

  19. I love that you took a fast food classic and turned it into real food. Loving these homemade McRib sandwiches — this is something I can get behind for sure!

    Reply