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    Home » Main Dish » Pork

    Slow Cooker Spare Ribs

    By Jill Baird · Published July 8, 2022 · Updated February 20, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    pork spare ribs recipe, slow cooker ribs, slow cooked pork ribs.

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    Jump to Recipe
    Slow Cooker Spare Ribs, bbq ribs recipe
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    BBQ ribs, spare ribs recipe
    how do you cook spare ribs in a slow cooker

    These Slow Cooker Pork Spare Ribs are an easy way to make tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs for game day, BBQs or lazy weekends at home.  They are cooked with a simple dry rub, smothered with BBQ sauce and then finished in the oven to give them delicious crispy edges. 

    Jump to:
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Spare Ribs
    • Ingredients in Slow Cooker Spare Ribs
    • How to Cook Spare Ribs in a Slow Cooker
    • BBQ Ribs Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Reheating Pork Ribs
    • Slow Cooker Pork Spare Ribs Recipe
    • More of the Best Crock Pot Recipes

    Slow Cooker BBQ Spare Ribs

    This Slow Cooker BBQ Spare Ribs recipe is about as stress-free as it gets.  All you need to do is prep your pork ribs, coat them with a simple dry rub, cover in BBQ sauce and let the crock pot do the work.  

    The other reason we like slow-cooking pork ribs is because that low and slow cooking time gives you the most juicy, tender meat.  To finish, I like to toss the slow-cooked ribs into a high oven for about 10 minutes to caramelize the sauce and get the edges crispy.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Spare Ribs covered in sauce and resting on a sheet tray. crockpot spare ribs, spare ribs slow cooker,

    When you are ready to eat, serve this great recipe with your favorite BBQ side dishes like Baked Mac and Cheese, Easy Homemade Cornbread, and Oven-Roasted Asparagus.

    Ingredients in Slow Cooker Spare Ribs

    • Pork Spare Ribs - try and select spare ribs that have nicely marbled fat and those that aren’t cut too close to the bone (aka “shiners”).  Sometimes at the grocery store you will find spare ribs sealed in packages.  Those are perfectly fine - just try and avoid meat that you know has been frozen.
    • Garlic Powder and Onion Powder add a nice sweet garlic and onion flavor to your dry rub.  Other spices that taste great are smoked paprika, celery salt and even a little cayenne pepper.
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Barbecue Sauce - use your favorite brand of store-bought barbecue sauce.  I like to use Sweet Baby Rays.
    Steps showing how to make Spare Ribs in the slow cooker.  First, raw spare ribs are but in half on a cutting board.  Second, they are placed into a crockpot with BBQ sauce. Finally, they are cooked and resting on a sheet tray. slow cooker bbq ribs, spare ribs in slow cooker.

    How to Cook Spare Ribs in a Slow Cooker

    1. Prepare ribs.  To prepare the ribs, first remove the membrane.  Pat dry with a paper towel, then cut the ribs in half.
    2. Rub with spices.  In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.  Sprinkle the dry rub on the spare ribs coating all sides, then place half of the ribs in the slow cooker.
    3. Cook.  Add about ½ cup of BBQ sauce, spreading with a spoon to cover, then add the remaining ribs and another ½ cup of BBQ sauce to cover.  Cook on low for 6-7 hours or 3-4 hours on high.
    4. Finish in the oven.  When the ribs have almost finished cooking, preheat an oven to 425 degrees.  Place the ribs onto a baking sheet and slather the rest of the BBQ sauce over the top.  Bake ribs in the oven for 8-10 more minutes or until the BBQ sauce is caramelized and the ribs are crispy on the edges.
    5. Serve.  Remove from the oven and serve with extra BBQ sauce.  Enjoy!
    Cooked spare ribs covered in BBQ sauce in the bottom of a slow cooker. pork ribs slow cooker, slow cooking ribs, slow cooker pork rib recipe.

    BBQ Ribs Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between spare ribs and baby back ribs?

    While they are both pork ribs, the biggest differences between spare ribs and baby back ribs are where they come from on the animal and how fatty they are.  Spare ribs are cut from the belly side and baby back ribs are cut from the upper ribs.  Because of this, spare ribs - often known as St. Louis-style spare ribs - tend to be fattier and more flavorful.  

    How long to slow cook baby back ribs?

    Cooking spare ribs in a crock pot will take about 6-7 hours on low or about 3-4 hours on high heat.  The cooking time will depend on how many you are cooking at a time and how big they are.

    Why are my slow cooker ribs tough?

    If you have followed the instructions and cooked your ribs for the recommended times and you notice they are tough, keep cooking for about 30-60 minutes and check again.  Tough ribs usually indicate that they haven’t cooked long enough for the tougher cartilage to break down.

    BBQ ribs on a sheet tray. pork spare ribs slow cooker, slow cooker spare ribs recipe, spare ribs recipe slow cooker

    Storing and Reheating Pork Ribs

    • Refrigerator: store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: freeze ribs along with some of the sauce in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
    • To reheat on the stove: pull your Slow Cooker Spare Ribs out of the fridge about 30 minutes - 1 hour before you plan to serve and spoon any hardened fat off of the top.  Place in a pot or skillet and simmer on low until warmed through.  
    • To reheat in the oven: transfer ribs to a dutch oven, cover and warm in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes - 1 hour, or until warmed through.
    pork spare ribs recipe, slow cooker ribs, slow cooked pork ribs.
    Print

    Slow Cooker Pork Spare Ribs Recipe

    These Slow Cooker Spare Ribs are an easy way to make tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs for game day, BBQs or lazy weekends at home.  They are cooked with a simple dry rub, smothered with BBQ sauce and then finished in the oven to give them delicious crispy edges.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 6 hours
    Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 541kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 4 pounds Spare Ribs
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Pepper
    • 2-3 cups BBQ Sauce

    Instructions

    • To prepare the ribs, first remove the membrane.  Pat dry with a paper towel, then cut the ribs in half.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.  Sprinkle the dry rub on the spare ribs coating all sides, then place half of the ribs in the slow cooker.
    • Add about ½ cup of BBQ sauce, spreading with a spoon to cover, then add the remaining ribs and another ½ cup of BBQ sauce to cover.
    • Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
    • When the ribs have almost finished cooking, preheat an oven to 425 degrees.  Place the ribs onto a baking sheet and slather the rest of the BBQ sauce over the top.
    • Bake for 8-10 more minutes or until the BBQ sauce is caramelized and the ribs are crispy on the edges.
    • Remove from the oven and serve with extra BBQ sauce.  Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 1537mg | Potassium: 426mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

    More of the Best Crock Pot Recipes

    • Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    • Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs
    • Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
    • Homemade Beef Stew
    • Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken
    • Meat Sauce
    • More Pork Recipes
    • More Game Day Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    This stress-free recipe for Slow Cooker Spare Ribs is an easy way to make perfectly tender pork ribs. They are cooked with a simple dry rub, smothered with BBQ sauce and then finished in the oven to give them delicious crispy edges.

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