Okay, let me tell you, some nights you just crave something *really* good, you know? Something that tastes like you spent all day slaving away, but in reality, your slow cooker did all the heavy lifting. That’s exactly where these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs come in. The first time I made these, it was for a last-minute family get-together, and honestly, I was a little nervous. But wow, they were a HUGE hit! People were raving about how tender they were and that amazing sticky, sweet, and just-a-little-savory honey garlic flavor. Trust me, if you love fall-off-the-bone ribs without all the fuss, you’ve found your new favorite recipe!

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Okay, so why are these ribs such a go-to for me? Let me tell you, they’re a lifesaver on busy nights! Here’s the scoop on why you’ll be making these again and again:

Seriously Simple Prep: You basically just throw everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic. It’s almost too easy, right? Less fuss means more time to actually relax.
That Dreamy Honey Garlic Flavor: This sauce is pure gold! It’s that perfect sweet and savory glaze that’s sticky, delicious, and goes so well with the rich pork.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Tender: The best part about slow cooking ribs is just how unbelievably tender they get. They literally melt in your mouth, no tough chewing required!
Super Easy Cleanup: Honestly, the minimal dishes are a huge selling point for me! After cooking, you’ve basically got the slow cooker insert and maybe a small pot to wash. Bliss!
A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a family dinner or a game day party, these ribs are always a massive hit. Everyone asks for the recipe!
So Versatile: You can easily adjust the sweetness or the amount of garlic and ginger to suit your own taste buds.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Alright, let’s get cooking! You don’t need a whole lot for these amazing ribs. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:

3 pounds pork ribs: I usually go for spare ribs, but baby back work great too! Just make sure they fit in your slow cooker.
1 cup soy sauce: This is for that salty, umami base.
1/2 cup honey: Obviously, for the sweet part! Make sure it’s a good quality honey if you can.
1/4 cup packed brown sugar: This adds another layer of caramel sweetness and helps make that gorgeous glaze. “Packed” means really squish it into the measuring cup!
4 cloves garlic, minced: Don’t skimp on the garlic, it’s key for that punchy flavor. Mince it up nice and fine.
1 tablespoon ginger, grated: Fresh ginger makes all the difference here. Just grate it right into the bowl.
1 teaspoon black pepper: A little kick to balance out the sweet.
1/4 cup water: Just to get everything moving smoothly in the beginning.
2 tablespoons cornstarch: This is our secret weapon for getting that thick, luscious sauce at the end.

Equipment You’ll Need

To whip up these amazing Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs, you don’t need a whole fancy setup. Just a few basics will get you there:

A Slow Cooker: Obviously! Make sure it’s big enough to hold your ribs. Mine is a 6-quart, which usually works perfectly.
A Small Bowl: For whisking up that dreamy sauce.
A Whisk: To get everything nice and smooth.
A Small Saucepan: This is where we’ll thicken up that delicious liquid from the slow cooker.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: For getting those measurements just right. Precision is key for that perfect flavor balance!
A Tongs or Large Spoon: For carefully removing the ribs and coating them in that glossy sauce at the end.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Okay, getting these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs ready is honestly the easiest part of making a show-stopping meal. You’re going to feel like a total kitchen wizard with minimal effort, I promise! If you love recipes like Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, you’ll adore these ribs.

Preparing the Sauce

First things first, grab a medium-sized bowl. You’re going to whisk together our sauce ingredients: the soy sauce, that lovely honey, the packed brown sugar (make sure it’s nice and squished in there!), that minced garlic (fresh makes such a difference!), the grated ginger, and the black pepper. Give it all a good whisk until everything is combined and there aren’t any big clumps of sugar. This is your flavor base, so make it a good one!

Cooking the Ribs

Now, take your pork ribs and nestle them right into the bottom of your slow cooker. It might feel a little crowded, but that’s okay! Pour that fantastic sauce you just mixed all over the ribs. Make sure they’re coated as evenly as possible. Pop the lid on, making sure it’s sealed tight – we want all that steamy goodness to stay inside! Set your slow cooker to LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a pinch, HIGH for 3 to 4 hours will work. Just keep an eye on them; you’re looking for them to be super tender. These are just as easy as making Honey Garlic Chicken Wings!

Thickening the Sauce

Once those ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender (seriously, you’ll test them with a fork and they’ll just yield easily), carefully remove them from the slow cooker and set them aside for a moment. Now, pour all that delicious liquid left in the slow cooker into a small saucepan. We’re going to bring that to a gentle simmer over medium heat. While it’s heating up, grab a tiny bowl and whisk together the cornstarch and the 2 tablespoons of water. This makes a slurry. Once the liquid in the saucepan is simmering, slowly whisk in that cornstarch slurry. Keep stirring – it’ll start to thicken up pretty quickly, getting nice and glossy, almost like a glaze!

Finishing and Serving

Finally, it’s time for the grand finale! Gently place your tender ribs back into the slow cooker, or you can place them in a serving dish. Pour that thickened, glorious honey garlic sauce all over them, making sure every last rib is coated. Serve them up hot and watch them disappear! My favorite thing is to sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions right before serving – it adds a little something extra!

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Making these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs is already super easy, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up to make them absolutely *perfect* every single time.

First off, when you’re picking out your ribs, try to get ones that are a similar thickness. This helps them cook more evenly. If some are way thicker than others, they might get too soft while the others are still just right. And don’t be afraid to taste that sauce before it goes in the slow cooker! If you like things a little sweeter, add an extra tablespoon of honey. If you want more of a kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes is fantastic. For that extra special touch, after they’re done in the slow cooker, you can pop them under the broiler for just a few minutes. Watch them closely, though! This gives them a lovely crisp edge that’s out of this world. Honestly, these ribs end up so good, they rival any BBQ pulled pork!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

So, what if you’re missing something or just want to tweak things a bit? No worries! If you don’t have honey, agave nectar or maple syrup can work in a pinch, although they’ll change the flavor slightly. Out of soy sauce? Coconut aminos are a great gluten-free and soy-free alternative, though they’re a bit less salty. And for the garlic and ginger, yes, you *can* use the pre-minced garlic from a jar or powdered ginger, but trust me, fresh really makes these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs sing!

Serving Suggestions for Your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

These succulent Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs are pretty amazing on their own, but they really shine when paired with the right sides! For a classic comfort meal, you can’t go wrong with creamy mashed potatoes or some fluffy rice to soak up all that extra sauce. A crisp Caesar salad is perfect for cutting through the richness, and roasted veggies like my garlic parmesan cauliflower (Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Recipe) are always a good idea!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for about 2 months. When you’re ready to reheat, the microwave is quick and easy for a single serving, but for the best flavor and texture, I like to gently warm them in a skillet over low heat or even pop them back in a low oven for about 15-20 minutes. You want to warm them through without drying them out!

Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Got questions about these amazing ribs? I’ve got answers! Let’s dive into some of the common things people ask when they’re making my Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs.

Can I use baby back ribs instead of spare ribs?

Oh, absolutely! Baby back ribs are a fantastic choice and they usually cook a little faster than spare ribs. Just keep an eye on them; they might be perfectly tender after about 4-5 hours on low. They’re usually a bit leaner too, so they’re a great option if that’s your preference.

How do I make the sauce spicier?

Good question if you like a little heat! To spice things up, you can totally add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes along with the other sauce ingredients. A tablespoon of sriracha or your favorite hot sauce whisked in also works wonders. You could even add a finely chopped jalapeño if you’re feeling brave!

Can I cook this recipe on high heat for less time?

Yep, you sure can! If you’re in a hurry, cooking on the HIGH setting for about 3 to 4 hours will get those ribs nice and tender. Just remember that cooking on low generally results in a more tender, fall-off-the-bone texture, but high is perfect for when you’re a bit short on time.

My sauce didn’t thicken up much. What did I do wrong?

Don’t you worry, it happens! The most common reason is either not using enough cornstarch or not letting it simmer long enough. Make sure you whisk the cornstarch and water into a smooth slurry *before* adding it to the hot liquid. Then, let the sauce simmer and bubble for a few minutes, stirring constantly. It should get nice and thick! If it’s still a bit thin, you can always make a little more slurry and whisk it in.

Can I make these ribs ahead of time?

You sure can! These honey garlic pork ribs are actually still delicious the next day. I usually store the ribs and sauce separately in the fridge. When you reheat, you can warm the ribs gently in a skillet or the microwave, and then pour the warm sauce over them. It’s almost as good as fresh! They’re even better served with some cheesy garlic bread to sop up any leftover sauce.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a peek at the estimated nutritional breakdown for these amazing Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs per serving. Remember, these numbers are a guide and can vary a bit depending on your exact ingredients and portion size!

Serving Size: 1 rack
Calories: 750
Fat: 40g
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Sugar: 45g

Share Your Creations!

I really hope you love making these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs as much as I do! Seriously, they’re a game-changer for busy weeknights. I would absolutely LOVE IT if you gave these ribs a try and then came back here to let me know what you thought. Did your family devour them? Did you try any fun variations? Please drop a comment below and tell me all about it! And if you snapped a pic, definitely tag me on social media – I love seeing your kitchen adventures come to life! Maybe you’ll even try them alongside my famous chocolate chip cookies for dessert!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Author: habibarecipes
Total Time: 6 hours 15 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Tender pork ribs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, cooked low and slow in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

3 pounds pork ribs
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Place pork ribs in the slow cooker.
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, black pepper, and water.
Pour the sauce over the ribs.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the ribs are tender.
Remove ribs from the slow cooker and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.
Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens.
Return the ribs to the slow cooker and coat with the thickened sauce.
Serve hot.

Notes

For crispier ribs, you can broil them for a few minutes after cooking in the slow cooker.
Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 6-8 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 rack
Calories: 750
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 1500mg
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 25g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 180mg

Keywords: slow cooker, honey garlic, pork ribs, easy recipe, tender ribs, sweet and savory

Sensational Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs