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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!
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Slow Cooker Pork 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 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
How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs
- 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.
- Combine BBQ sauce, bourbon, and brown sugar in a bowl. Add seasoned ribs to the slow cooker, then add ¾ of the sauce mixture.
- 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.
- Add any remaining sauce to a small bowl for dipping. Garnish with parsley if desired, cut ribs into pieces, and serve!
Slow Cook 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 them 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
- Preheat oven to 250°F. Mix rib rub following the above instructions. Trim the membrane from the ribs, then rub them with the rib rub.
- 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.
- Remove the ribs from the oven once the 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.
- Check the temperature of the ribs with a meat thermometer. They are done when they reach 145°F.
- 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
| Pork Spare Ribs | 3-4 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 195°F to 200°F | 2.5-4 hours at 275°F in the oven |
| Baby Back Ribs | 1.5-2 pounds | Fall-apart tender; cook until at least 195°F to 200°F | 2.5-4 hours at 275°F in the oven |
For more information on pork internal temperature and tips on cooking pork recipes, check our Pork Temperature Chart!
Crockpot Pork Spare Ribs FAQs
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.
Ribs do not need to be submerged in liquid in the slow cooker. However, some liquid should be added to 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.
Best Pork Recipes
- Crockpot Pulled Pork
- Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
- Grilled Boston Butt Recipe (Pork Butt)
- Oven Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chop
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Slow Cooked Pork Ribs
Equipment
- 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
See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!
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
- 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
- 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.
- Add any remaining sauce to a small bowl for dipping. Garnish with parsley if desired, cut ribs into pieces, and serve!
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
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