Do you want to make a delicious and succulent dinner that takes minimal effort? Then look no further than Slow Cooker Spare Ribs! After just a few minutes of prep, your spare ribs will be simmering in the slow cooker for hours until they are tender and fall-off-the-bone perfection.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Tender and Juicy: Slow cooking ensures these ribs are perfectly tender and fall-off-the-bone good.
- Effortless Cooking: Just set the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
- Flavorful Feast: The mix of spices gives these Slow Cooked Spare Ribs a mouthwatering, smoky flavor.
🥘 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients for your slow cooker baby back ribs recipe:
- Baby Back Ribs: Are the star of the dish, known for their tenderness and meatiness, they become incredibly flavorful and fall-off-the-bone tender when slow-cooked.
- Cloves Of Garlic or Garlic Powder: Whether fresh or powdered, garlic adds a punchy, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich taste of the ribs.
- Dark Soy Sauce: Gives the ribs a deep, savory umami flavor and a beautiful dark color.
- Sweet Soy Sauce: Provides a balance to the saltiness of the dark soy sauce, adding a hint of sweetness and a glossy finish to the ribs.
- Raw Honey: Enhances the sweetness in the dish, creating a delightful sweet-savory balance and helping to create a sticky, caramelized exterior on the ribs.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle onion flavor and sweetness that complements the other spices and the strong flavors of the soy sauce and honey.
- Paprika Powder: Lends a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and a vibrant color to the ribs, enhancing their overall appeal.
- Cumin: Brings a warm, earthy flavor that rounds out the taste of the ribs, adding complexity to the dish.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- If you don't have honey you can add a tablespoon of brown sugar instead. This slow cook recipe serves 2-3 people. You're going to love this slow cooker ribs recipe.
🔪 How To Make Slow Cooker Spare Ribs
- Step 1: Combine the onion powder, paprika powder, and cumin, and rub the ribs with the dry rub. Mince the garlic and add the dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and honey to a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Step 2: Brush the marinade over the ribs. Save some of the marinade. Cut the ribs in half and place them in the slow cooker. Cook for 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
- Step 3: Brush the rack of ribs every hour with the remaining sauce. Now your ribs should be bone tender and ready to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Creating delicious slow cooker spare ribs is easy when you follow this recipe. With little effort, you can have a flavorful dinner on the table with minimal fuss.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Even Marinating for Optimal Flavor: Ensure the ribs are evenly coated with the marinade. To achieve this, brush the sauce onto the ribs and let them sit for a while to absorb the flavors. For an even better result, marinate the ribs for a few hours before cooking.
- Baste Every Hour: To achieve a sticky, caramelized glaze on the ribs, be sure to baste them with the remaining marinade every hour. This adds more flavor and helps develop that glossy finish.
- Slow Cooking for Tenderness: Slow cook the ribs on low for 7-8 hours to ensure they become perfectly tender. For a quicker option, use the high setting for 4-5 hours, but low and slow is always best for that fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
- Add a Sweet and Savory Twist: If you prefer a richer flavor, substitute honey with brown sugar in the marinade for a deeper sweetness, balancing the savory umami flavors from the soy sauce.
💭 FAQs
Don’t throw away the trimmings from your spare ribs! They make a great snack or appetizer. Simply season them with some salt and pepper, then bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Serve with some Ranch Dressing or Honey Mustard Sauce on the side for dipping.
Yes, you can still make slow cooker spare ribs with boneless pork ribs. The cooking time may be slightly shorter since the meat is thinner. Be sure to check the internal temperature of the ribs before serving to ensure they are cooked through.
It depends on the setting you use. Generally, it takes 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high for the spare ribs to become tender.
When the meat is fork-tender and starts to pull away from the bone, your spare ribs are done. You can also check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—it should register at least 145°F (63°C).
Yes, basting your spare ribs will help keep them moist and add more flavor. Simply brush the rack of ribs every hour with the marinade you made earlier.
Cool your Slow Cooker Spare Ribs to room temperature before refrigerating. Use an airtight container or tightly wrap them in plastic for freshness.
You can freeze the ribs for longer storage. Ensure they are completely cooled, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or wrap them tightly in freezer-grade plastic wrap. Label with the date for easy tracking.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are my favorite sides to serve with Slow Cooker Spare Ribs:
- Almond Milk Mashed Potatoes: Perfectly complementing the tender spare ribs, these mashed potatoes are creamy and flavorful.
- Red Cabage Coleslaw : The crispness of coleslaw and the tangy dressing cut through the richness of the ribs, creating a balanced bite.
- Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts provide a satisfying crunch alongside the fall-off-the-bone ribs.
- Buttery Cornbread: Soft buttery cornbread is an excellent side to soak up the delicious juices from the spare ribs.
- Loaded Potatoes: Stuffed with cheese, bacon, and green onions, these potato skins are a delightful indulgence to accompany your slow cooker's spare ribs.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Slow Cooker Spare Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 Rack Rack Of Baby Back Ribs
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- ¼ Cup Dark Soy Sauce
- ¼ Cup Raw Honey
- ½ Teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Cumin
Instructions
- Combine the onion powder, paprika powder and cumin, and rub the ribs with dry rub. Mince the garlic and add the dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce and honey to a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Brush the marinade over the ribs. Save some of the marinade. Cut the ribs in half and place them in the slow cooker. Cook for 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
- Brush the rack of ribs every hour with the remaining sauce. Now your ribs should be bone tender and ready to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
If you loved this slow cooker ribs recipe then you may enjoy the following slow cooker ideas:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Gravy
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Chili Mac
- Slow Cooker Chicken Stuffing
- Super Easy Slow Cooker Keto Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Slow Cooker Meatball Subs
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
- Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken
These ribs are fall-off-the-bone perfection! The sweet and savory marinade, featuring soy sauce, honey, and spices, creates a sticky glaze that's absolutely irresistible. A must-try for rib lovers!