Oh, pork ribs. Just saying it makes my mouth water! There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into fall-off-the-bone tender ribs coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze. And you know what? You don’t need hours over a hot grill or a complicated mess to make it happen. My family practically begs for these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs at least once a month. Seriously, the last time I made them, my little nephew declared them the ‘bestest ever!’ It’s all about that magic combination of minimal effort and maximum flavor, folks. Let me show you how it’s done!

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

Trust me, these ribs aren’t just good, they’re ridiculously good! Here’s why you’re going to want to make them ASAP:

Super Easy Prep: Toss it all in the slow cooker and forget about it!
Amazing Flavor: That sweet honey and savory garlic combo is pure magic.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender: The slow cooker works its magic to get them perfectly tender.
Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Whether it’s family dinner or a party, these disappear fast!

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Gathering your ingredients is the easiest part of this recipe, and it all comes together in minutes! You’ll need:

3-4 pounds pork ribs (St. Louis style or baby back both work great!)
1 cup soy sauce (use tamari if you need it gluten-free)
1/2 cup honey (any kind will do, but wildflower is lovely!)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar (this gives it that lovely caramel note)
4 cloves garlic, minced (don’t be shy with the garlic!)
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (it adds such a wonderful zing)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening our glorious sauce later!)

Essential Equipment for Making Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

To whip up these amazing ribs, you don’t need a fancy kitchen setup! Just grab your trusty slow cooker, a couple of mixing bowls for whisking up that delicious sauce, your measuring cups and spoons, and a whisk or fork. If you like your ribs a little crispy on top, a baking sheet for broiling is a great addition too. Easy peasy!

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

Okay, get ready, because this is where the magic happens with minimal fuss! Making these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs is seriously a dream. Here’s how we get those fork-tender, flavor-packed ribs:

Prep the Pork: First things first, lay your ribs into your slow cooker. If they’re in one big slab, you can cut them into smaller sections now, which makes them easier to eat later. No need for a fancy sear or anything – the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting!
Whisk Up That Sauce: Grab a medium-sized bowl. Now, we’re going to whisk together our flavor base. Pour in that soy sauce, honey, and that lovely brown sugar. Then, toss in your minced garlic and fresh ginger – trust me, the fresh ginger makes a difference! Add your black pepper and 1/4 cup of water to get things nice and loose. Give it all a good whisk until everything is blended and gorgeous.
Sauce ‘Em Up: Pour this beautiful honey garlic mixture all over those ribs in the slow cooker. Make sure they get a nice coating.
Cook Low and Slow (or Fast!): Pop the lid on your slow cooker. You’ve got two options here: you can cook it on LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, which is my favorite for super tender results, or if you’re short on time, high heat for 3 to 4 hours works too. Just keep an eye on them; you want them to be really tender, pulling away from the bone easily.
Get That Sauce Thicc: Once the ribs are perfectly tender, carefully lift them out of the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate. Now, look at all that yummy liquid left in the cooker! In a tiny bowl, whisk together your 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with about 1/4 cup of that warm cooking liquid until it’s totally smooth – no lumps allowed! Pour this slurry back into the slow cooker with the rest of the sauce. Turn the heat up to HIGH and let it bubble and thicken for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring every now and then. It’ll get nice and syrupy.
Coat and Serve: Toss those gorgeous ribs back into the thickened sauce and give them a good stir to coat every single bite. Oh yeah, that’s the stuff! Serve them up hot and get ready for the happy dance around the table!

Check out this amazing Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs recipe for more tips!

Tips for Extra Flavor and Texture

While these ribs are amazing straight from the slow cooker, I love a few little tricks to really make them sing! If you have an extra hour (or even just 30 minutes), try giving the ribs a quick marinade in the sauce before they go into the cooker. It just amps up that flavor even more. And for that irresistible crispy edge? Once they’re done and you’ve taken them out, pop them under the broiler for a few minutes. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn! A sprinkle of sesame seeds and some chopped green onions right before serving adds a nice fresh pop, too. Little things, big difference!

Serving Suggestions for Your Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

These ribs are a showstopper on their own, but what’s a great main without some delicious sides, right? For a classic cookout vibe, you can’t go wrong with some creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all that extra honey garlic sauce. Or, for something a bit lighter, a crisp Caesar salad is always a winner. Baked beans, corn on the cob, some roasted veggies – really, these ribs are pretty flexible and taste amazing with just about anything!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The sauce really melds in even more overnight! To reheat, I like to gently warm them up on the stovetop over low heat, maybe with a tiny splash of water or extra sauce if you have it, just to keep things moist. You can also pop them in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you can for the best texture, but if you must, just zap them for short bursts!

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Can I use a different cut of pork besides ribs?

Absolutely! While ribs are my personal favorite for this recipe, you can totally use pork shoulder or even pork loin. Just adjust your cooking time. Pork shoulder might need a little longer to get super tender, maybe another hour or two on low.

How can I make the honey garlic sauce spicier?

Easy peasy! If you like a little heat, just add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you’re mixing the sauce. You could also add a dash of sriracha or a bit of cayenne pepper. Start small; you can always add more!

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You bet! You can mix up the sauce and have the ribs ready to go in the slow cooker the night before. Just store them separately in the fridge and pop them into the slow cooker in the morning. The cooking liquid is also great to make ahead and refrigerate, then whisk in the cornstarch and thicken it when you’re ready to serve.

What kind of slow cooker is best for this?

Honestly, any standard slow cooker works beautifully! Whether it’s a 4-quart or a 6-quart, it’ll get the job done. Just make sure your ribs fit comfortably inside. If you have a really big rack of ribs, you might need to cut them into smaller sections so they fit nicely and cook evenly.

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Now, keep in mind these numbers are just a general idea because everyone’s batch is a little different! But for about one rack of these glorious Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs, you’re looking at roughly:

Calories: 650
Fat: 40g
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 1200mg

It’s a hearty meal, for sure, but oh-so-worth-it! Values can change depending on the exact ingredients you use and how thick you make that sauce.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs

Author: habibarecipes
Total Time: 8 hours 15 min
Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

Tender and flavorful pork ribs cooked in a slow cooker with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

3–4 pounds pork ribs
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
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 in the slow cooker.
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 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker until smooth.
Pour the cornstarch mixture back into the slow cooker with the remaining liquid.
Cook on high, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 5-10 minutes.
Return the ribs to the slow cooker and coat them with the thickened sauce.
Serve hot.

Notes

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

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 6-8 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 rack
Calories: 650
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 1200mg
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 25g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 150mg

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

Amazing Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Ribs