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Home » Slow Cooker Pork Recipes

Slow Cooked Pork Ribs

Published: Aug 4, 2022 · Modified: Dec 19, 2022 by Isabel Laessig

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Fall-apart tender Slow Cooked Pork Ribs only need 10 minutes of prep, then cook hassle-free in your slow cooker! Perfect for setting up at noon and enjoying for dinner in the evening. Your family and friends will love these tender pork ribs!

slow cooked pork ribs on a plate with bbq sauce in a bowl
Jump to:
  • Best Slow Cooker Pork Spare Ribs
  • Crockpot Pork Spare Ribs FAQs
  • Slow Cooker Spare Ribs Ingredients
  • How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs in Slow Cooker
  • Cooking Pork Spare Ribs Tips
  • How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs in the Oven
  • Pork Internal Temperature
  • What to Serve with Pork Ribs
  • Best Pork Recipes
  • Save the Pin! 📍
  • 📖 Recipe

Best Slow Cooker Pork Spare Ribs

There are few things I love more than a good ribs recipe for dinner, and these slow cooker pork spare ribs really fit the bill. They are fall-apart tender, and best of all, so easy to make even on the busiest of days!

My family loves these crock pot ribs - and they're so simple to make, I'm happy to make them whenever there's a craving for them. All you have to do is season the ribs and add them to the slow cooker with BBQ sauce, bourbon and brown sugar, then let them cook!

Finish them under the oven broiler for that extra delicious crisp, and they're done. These slow cooked pork ribs are a perfect, stress-free dinner.

slow cooked spare ribs on a plate with a bowl of bbq sauce

Crockpot Pork Spare Ribs FAQs

How long is too long to slow cook ribs?

Generally, 8 hours is the maximum time you should slow cook ribs on low heat. On high heat, cook them for a maximum of 4 hours. Any longer than that, and they will overcook.

Should short ribs be submerged in slow cooker?

Ribs do not need to be submerged in liquid in the slow cooker. However, some liquid should be added in with them while they cook. In the case of this slow cooked pork ribs recipe, the ribs cook with a liquid mixture of BBQ sauce and bourbon in addition to dry seasonings.

Slow Cooker Spare Ribs Ingredients

  • half-rack spare ribs
  • paprika
  • ground cinnamon
  • garlic powder
  • dried oregano
  • salt
  • pepper
  • bourbon
  • barbecue sauce, your choice which kind - or use homemade BBQ sauce
  • brown sugar
bbq sauce in a bowl

How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs in Slow Cooker

  1. Add paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix together and set aside. Using a knife, carefully remove the membrane from the ribs. Spoon the rib rub onto the ribs. Use your hands to coat them thoroughly on both sides with the seasoning.
    seasoned pork ribs on a platter
  2. Combine BBQ sauce, bourbon, and brown sugar in a bowl. Add seasoned ribs to the slow cooker, then add ¾ of the sauce mixture.
    pork ribs in a slow cooker ready to cook
  3. Cook on high 4 hours, or low 8 hours. After the time is up, set your oven to broil at 300°F. Remove the ribs and place them on a foil-lined baking tray. Spoon over 4 tablespoons of the sauce from the slow cooker, then baste with the remaining half of your BBQ sauce mixture. Add to the oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the sauce caramelizes.
    cooked pork ribs on a baking sheet
  4. Add any remaining sauce to a small bowl for dipping. Garnish with parsley if desired, cut ribs into pieces, and serve!
    slow cooked spare ribs on a platter with sauce

Cooking Pork Spare Ribs Tips

  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce or, better yet, mix your own for the ultimate flavor in these ribs.
  • If you don't want to use bourbon, you can use chicken stock or another type of whiskey, non-alcoholic vanilla extract, or a mixture of apple cider vinegar and brown sugar. If using vinegar and sugar, mix these two ingredients together to fully combine them before mixing with the other ingredients.
  • No need to sear these ribs beforehand. The broil at the end will give them a nice sear with minimum effort.

How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs in the Oven

  1. Preheat oven to 250°F. Mix rib rub following above instructions. Trim the membrane from the ribs, then rub them with the rib rub.
  2. Wrap ribs in tin foil. Place them in the oven and cook for 2 to 2.5 hours. In the meantime, mix your BBQ rib sauce.
  3. Remove the ribs from the oven once time is up and discard the juices. Baste with rib sauce on both sides. Place back in the oven for 30 minutes, basting every 5 minutes until the sauce is sticky.
  4. Check temperature of the ribs with a meat thermometer. They are done when they reach 145°F.
  5. Cut ribs into pieces and serve. Use a spoon to carefully scrape any remaining barbecue sauce into a dish for dipping. Enjoy!

Pork Internal Temperature

For more information on pork internal temperature and tips on cooking pork recipes, check our Pork Temperature Chart!

What to Serve with Pork Ribs

  • Grilled Potatoes in Foil
  • Corn Ribs
  • Riced Potatoes
  • German Potato Salad
  • Street Corn

Best Pork Recipes

  • Crockpot Pulled Pork
  • Baked Ham Recipe
  • Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
  • Grilled Boston Butt Recipe (Pork Butt)
  • Oven Pork Tenderloin
  • Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops
  • Pulled Pork Pasta
  • Air Fryer Ham
  • Pressure Cooker Ham

Did you enjoy this recipe? Try more of my best pork recipes, and leave a comment and rating below! We love to hear from you.

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slow cooked pork ribs on a plate with bbq sauce in a bowl

Slow Cooked Pork Ribs

Learn how to cook pork spare ribs following my Slow Cooked Pork Ribs recipe! This easy recipe requires minimal effort to make delicious ribs.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 10 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 892 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • aluminum foil
  • Baking sheet
  • Oven broiler
  • 2 Bowls for mixing

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs spare ribs half rack
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ cup bourbon or chicken broth
  • 2 cups barbecue sauce of your choice
  • ½ cup brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Add paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix together and set aside. Using a knife, carefully remove the membrane from the ribs. Spoon the rib rub onto the ribs. Use your hands to coat them thoroughly on both sides with the seasoning.
    1 tablespoon paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 3 lbs spare ribs half rack
    seasoned pork ribs on a platter
  • Combine BBQ sauce, bourbon, and brown sugar in a bowl. Add seasoned ribs to the slow cooker, then add ¾ of the sauce mixture.
    ¼ cup bourbon or chicken broth, 2 cups barbecue sauce of your choice, ½ cup brown sugar
    pork ribs in a slow cooker ready to cook
  • Cook on high 4 hours, or low 8 hours. After the time is up, set your oven to broil at 300°F. Remove the ribs and place them on a foil-lined baking tray. Spoon over 4 tablespoons of the sauce from the slow cooker, then baste with the remaining half of your BBQ sauce mixture. Add to the oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the sauce caramelizes.
    cooked pork ribs on a baking sheet
  • Add any remaining sauce to a small bowl for dipping. Garnish with parsley if desired, cut ribs into pieces, and serve!
    slow cooked pork ribs on a plate with bbq sauce in a bowl

Notes

  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce or, better yet, mix your own for the ultimate flavor in these ribs.
  • If you don't want to use bourbon, you can use chicken stock or another type of whiskey, non-alcoholic vanilla extract, or a mixture of apple cider vinegar and brown sugar. If using vinegar and sugar, mix these two ingredients together to fully combine them before mixing with the other ingredients.
  • No need to sear these ribs beforehand. The broil at the end will give them a nice sear with minimum effort.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 892kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 36gFat: 54gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 181mgSodium: 1179mgPotassium: 813mgFiber: 1gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 271IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 3mg
Keyword crockpot pork spare ribs, how to cook pork spare ribs, slow cooked pork ribs, slow cooker pork spare ribs
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