Perfectly Cooked Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Ribs

Sticky sweet and savory, these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Ribs are perfectly tender and absolute irresistible. The meat is infused with bold flavors thanks to soy sauce, garlic, and honey.

You’ll love the balance of sweet and tangy ingredients in this easy recipe-- a hearty and satisfying dish that’s the peak of indulgent comfort food.

Jump to:

• 💚 About This Recipe
• 🧂 Ingredients Needed
• 🔪 Instructions
• ❔ FAQs
• 💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
• 💡 Substitutions and Variations
• 🥫 Storage and Reheating
• 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
• ✔️ More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
• 📋 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

💚 About This Recipe

Tender and juicy, these slow cooker ribs are packed with sweet and savory flavors! So easy to cook to perfection in the slow cooker, this recipe is perfect to feed a crowd or prep meals for the week.

With a homemade dry rub and a flavorful but simple sauce, this is one of my favorite ways to prepare spare ribs. You'll love how quick it is to put this dish together, and the whole family will love how these ribs fall right off the bone!

Serve this alongside a fresh and flavorful Green Apple Salad for a delicious dinner your family will love. Or really jazz up your meal with a side of these savory and flavorful Air Fryer Peppers and Onions!

And if you can't get enough pork recipes in the slow cooker, try my 2 Ingredient Pulled Pork or a crock pot full of hearty Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Hash Browns!

🧂 Ingredients Needed

• seasonings - a combination of paprika, cumin, and onion powder form the base of flavor for these sweet and savory ribs.
• spare ribs - tender and juicy ribs are so easy to cook to perfection in the slow cooker.
• garlic - I like to use cloves of fresh garlic for this dish, but you can also use jarred minced garlic for a shortcut.
• soy sauce - use both sweet soy sauce and dark soy sauce for a nice complex umami flavor.
• honey - adds a delicious sticky sweetness that complements the savory ribs.

🔪 Instructions

❔ FAQs

💭 Expert Tips and Tricks

• The meat is done cooking when it pulls easily away from the bone and has a tender texture. You can also use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature between 190 and 200 degrees F.
• Choose high quality ribs for the best result. You'll want to look for a good amount of marbling for the best flavor and texture.
• Once the ribs have finished cooking, allow them to sit for a few minutes so the juices can redistribute. This will lead to a more tender and juicy result.
• Use a slow cooker liner and line the walls of the slow cooker for easier cleanup.

📌 Sweet and savory, these sticky slow cooker ribs combine honey and soy sauce with warm spices for a satisfying and comforting meal!

💡 Substitutions and Variations

• Add some sesame oil or ground ginger for addition depth of flavor in the marinade.
• Jarred garlic or even garlic paste can be an easy shortcut instead of fresh garlic cloves.
• For more nutrition, layer some chopped bell peppers and onions at the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Use other seasonings like chili powder, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika for some smoky flavor.
• Give these easy honey garlic slow cooker ribs some extra heat by adding your favorite hot sauce to the marinade.

🥫 Storage and Reheating

Allow the ribs to cool, then transfer to an airtight container or a large plastic bag. Your ribs will last in the fridge for several days or in the freezer for 3 months or longer. Squeeze out any excess air in the ziploc bag to preserve the ribs for longer.

Reheat the ribs in the oven or in smaller portions in the microwave. From frozen, allow them to thaw first before reheating.

🍴 What To Serve With This Dish

These tender ribs pair well with some rice, mashed sweet potatoes or sweet potato fries, a side salad, an easy veggie side, or your favorite pasta.

Serve with Air Fryer Broccoli, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, Cilantro Lime Rice, or a crowd favorite Cornbread Casserole!

📋 Recipe Card