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.
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💚 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
- In a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, paprika, and cumin, then rub the seasonings all over the ribs.
- In another mixing bowl, combine the garlic with both kinds of soy sauce and the honey. Brush all over the ribs and save any additional sauce.
- Place the pork ribs bone sides down in a large slow cooker (cut the rib rack in half to fit properly). Cook for 6 to 7 hours on low heat or 3 to 4 hours on high heat, brushing the ribs every hour or so with the reserved marinade.
❔ FAQs
This cut of pork ribs comes from the lower part of a pig and typically includes 11 to 13 long bones. The term "spare ribs" actually comes from a German phrase that refers to roasting meat by turning it on a spit.
Spare ribs come from pigs, whereas short ribs are beef and come from cows. They're both taken from the same general area of each animal and yield similar results when cooked.
It's not necessary, but browning can enhance flavor. If time allows, sear them quickly in a hot pan.
💭 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.
- If your honey is crystallized, you can easily refresh it and still use it in this recipe. Learn how to decrystallize honey quickly and easily!
📌 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!
✔️ More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
- Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Potatoes - Making tender roasted potatoes is so easy in the crock pot!
- Crock Pot Chicken Thighs in Honey Beer Sauce - This chicken dish combines sweet and savory flavors.
- Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake - You can also use your slow cooker to make tasty desserts, like this dump cake that's perfect for fall.
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef and Broccoli - This recipe from Butter Your Biscuit is the perfect substitute to takeout with a healthy and affordable twist!
Honey Garlic Spare Ribs
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📋 Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Ribs
Equipment
- 1 Slow cooker
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 spare rib rack (1 ½ to 2 pounds)
- 4 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup dark soy sauce
- ¼ cup sweet soy sauce
- ¼ cup raw honey
Instructions
- Combine the onion powder, paprika, and cumin, and rub the ribs with dry rub.½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon paprika powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, 1 spare rib rack
- Mince the garlic and combine with the dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and honey. Brush over the ribs. Save some of the marinade.4 garlic cloves, ¼ cup dark soy sauce, ¼ cup sweet soy sauce, ¼ cup raw honey
- Cut the ribs in half and place them in the slow cooker. Cook for 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
- Brush the rack of ribs every hour with the remaining marinade. Check for doneness by ensuring the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
Notes
- For best results, choose high-quality spare ribs with good marbling for tenderness and flavor. Baby back ribs are another great option.
- For extra depth of flavor, add a teaspoon of ground ginger to the spice rub, or a bit of sesame oil to the marinade.
- For a shortcut, use jarred minced garlic or garlic paste in place of the fresh garlic.
- A nice variation is to layer sliced onions, bell peppers, or any other vegetables of your choice at the bottom of the slow cooker. This creates a bed for the ribs and adds more flavor to the finished dish.
- Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps redistribute the juices.
- For a pretty presentation, sprinkle chopped green onions or sesame seeds on top for garnish and added flavor.
- Serve with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Bella says
The perfect fall recipe. It was cozy and full of flavor!
Kristin King says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂 It's definitely one of our favorites in the fall.
Cora says
So tender and delicious! The ribs turned out perfectly!
Kristin King says
So glad to hear that! This is actually our favorite way to enjoy ribs!
Gelliane says
My family loved this!