Sweet And Spicy Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

By: Holly | Published: August 10, 2021 | Updated: July 26, 2021 | Comment

This Crock Pot Ribs Recipe is so easy to make in the slow cooker!

Barbecue pork ribs are a sure sign that summertime is here. This easy recipe works well for beef short ribs, or pork baby back ribs because the sweet and spicy sauce tenderizes and seasons the meat as it cooks in the Crock Pot. Serve these up with rice or potatoes and salad, or just eat them straight out of the pot, but don’t burn your fingers!

Crockpot Ribs Recipe

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Crock Pot Ribs

Short on time but want to make a stellar entrée for a potluck or a picnic? Just set it and forget this Crock Pot Ribs Recipe.
Make this sweet sticky ribs recipe to use for beef, pork, even chicken thighs, and wings!
Easy marinade whipped together that’s sweet and just a little spicy! Double up the batch and use it to glaze vegetables like Oven Roasted Cauliflower or Roasted Butternut Squash

Sweet And Spicy Sauce

SAUCE: A great sauce starts with acids like apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, and soy sauce. Balsamic vinegar can be used or paired with orange juice or teriyaki sauce for a new flavor combination that’s still sweet and spicy.

RIBS: This Crock Pot ribs recipe calls for 3 lbs. of ribs. Use any kind of ribs and prepare them according to the recipe. Even beef ribs would work, although pork tends to be the “go-to” for this type of sauce.

Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

Juicy and succulent ribs aren’t hard to make, especially when prepared this way:

Place ribs on a “raft” of sliced onions in Crockpot.
Whisk remaining sauce ingredients (except pineapple) and pour over ribs.
Slow cook (per recipe below), adding pineapple 1 hour before the cooking cycle ends.
Remove ribs, pineapple, & onion to a serving platter.
Reduce sauce on stovetop, then pour over the ribs.

Rib Recipe Tips!

For the best results, remove the thin, white skin from the underside of the ribs (if they are bone-in). This helps the marinade absorb into the meat, and the meat easily comes apart once cooked.
For boneless and bone-in ribs, avoid removing the fat since that’s what helps make the sauce and also adds more flavor to the meat.
What is a “raft” in cooking? It’s anything used to place meat or other ingredients on top of, in order to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. In this recipe, a “raft” of onions is used, and it serves a double purpose, seasoning the ribs at the same time!
Serve this Crock Pot ribs recipe with The BEST Cheesy Bread EVER recipe, for soaking up all that sweet and spicy sauce. Also, try it with Creamy Potato Salad, or some Crispy Smashed Potatoes. And don’t forget a crisp Easy Broccoli Salad.

Time Saving Tips

Purchase ribs pre-cut with the silver skin removed or ask the butcher to do it for you.
Use canned pineapple pieces and add the juice to the sauce.
One pre-made bottle of BBQ sauce of your choice can be “corrected” by adding extra brown sugar, pineapple juice, and any seasonings— especially if time is short and there’s no time to make the sauce from scratch.

Crockpot & Instant Pot Favorites

Sweet and spicy crock pot ribs plated with rice.

5 from 1 vote

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Sweet And Spicy Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

Deliciously tender Crockpot ribs are slow cooked in a sweet and spicy pineapple sauce!

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 8 hrs 30 mins

Total Time 8 hrs 45 mins

Servings

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

Instructions

Spread onions in the bottom of Crock Pot. Place ribs on top of onion.
Whisk together garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, Sriracha, & apple cider vinegar. Pour mixture evenly over the ribs.
Cook on low for 7 hours. Add pineapple to Crock Pot & stir to coat. Cook one hour more.
Carefully remove ribs, pineapple & onions from Crock Pot. Cover with foil to keep warm.
Pour remaining liquid into a saucepan & skim excess fat from the surface. Bring to a boil & cook until liquid is reduced by half & slightly thickened.
Brush reduced liquid over the ribs.
Spoon pineapple & onions over rice to serve.