These slow cooked barbecue ribs have become a real family favourite recipe. They are so easy to prepare as the slow cooker does all the work to make a super tasty midweek meal for busy families!
I first made these slow cooked pork ribs back in 2011 and they were actually the first rib recipe that I posted here on Searching for Spice. Back then I was member of a group called The Secret Recipe Club. Unfortunately it no longer exists but it was great fun at the time. Each month we were assigned another blog to secretly make a recipe from. I was assigned a blog called 365 Days of Baking.
I came across this recipe for barbecue spare ribs. It was a long time since I'd last made spare ribs, before I began my blog, and I'd never posted a recipe for them. At that moment I knew that what my blog was lacking was a killer spare rib recipe - and it seemed like I might have found it.
The only issue was that the recipe was for oven cooked ribs but I am a big fan of using my slow cooker for ribs. I knew these barbecue ribs would be great in the slow cooker too. Just like these Chinese slow cooker ribs!
I adapted the recipe for the slow cooker and I was so pleased with the result. The slow cooked ribs were lovely. The meat was tender, falling off the bone and full of flavour and the sauce was amazing.
According to my husband, 'This is the best new recipe you've made in a long time'. Need I say more. It looks like I'll be making them again soon. And yes, seven years later and I am still making these ribs!
What if I don't have a slow cooker?
Well, these ribs are adapted from a recipe slow cooked in the oven. So, if you don't have a slow cooker then do check out the original recipe post for barbecue spare ribs.
Can you eat the leftovers later?
These slow cooker bbq ribs are so popular in our house that we usually eat them all in one go, even if I make a double batch! However, you can store the leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Just reheat them thoroughly in the oven or microwave before eating them.
What can you eat with bbq ribs?
We love to eat the ribs as they are with bread, potato wedges or chips and coleslaw. I also usually make a big green salad to go with them and lighten up the meal.
Can you make anything with the leftover ribs?
You can take the leftover meat off the ribs and use it in another recipe. Some ideas for using the leftover bbq meat from the ribs include:
- Put it on a pizza
- Eat it with salad
- put it in a quesadilla
- Use it to top a baked potato
- Put it in an omelette
- Add it to a spicy tomato soup
Recipe
Slow Cooked Barbecue Ribs
Ingredients
- 500 g ribs
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 20 ml Worcester sauce
- 30 ml soy sauce
- 20 ml cider vinegar
- 50 ml tomato ketchup
- 2 red chilli peppers sliced
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- Pinch Black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together except the ribs
- Arrange the ribs in the bottom of the slowcooker. Pour the sauce over the top and turn the ribs over to coat them in the sauce. Cook on low for 9 hours.
- Before serving, drain the liquid into a small saucepan and boil to reduce. Serve the reduced sauce over the top of the ribs.
Notes
Nutrition
More delicious slow cooker recipes
If you like slow cooking then do check out these slow cooker recipes:
You will probably also like my slow cooked bbq pork chops!
Or if you want to try baking in your slow cooker why not try this slow cooker gooseberry pudding? It's easily adaptable so you can use other fruit too.
If you just like tasty dinner recipes then do check out my recipe collection for easy spicy recipes that are perfect for midweek meal.
Keep in touch
Do let me know if you make these slow cooked bbq ribs or any of my other recipes. I love to get feedback from readers.
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frugal hausfrau
These look wonderful! I have only recently started doing spare ribs in a slow cooker but I am always surprised how well they turn out. I love using any extra in fried rice if we have any that its!! Thanks for posting!
Mollie
Kate - gluten free alchemist
I'm never too sure why ribs are called 'spare'...... There's never any 'spare' in my house! Love this recipe Corina. I have never considered making them in a slow-cooker..... I must give it a go x
Corina Blum
I've never thought about why they are called spare ribs either. I'm wondering if it was because they might have been thrown away in the past and not as appreciated as they are now. I hope you like them in the slow cooker! x
smita sun
terrific ....excellent dear
Corina Blum
Thanks Smita!
Rasha Akar
These ribs look so good! I usually tend to just marinate them in Reggae Reggae Sauce. I will try this recipe next time though.
Corina Blum
I've used Reggae Reggae Sauce too! I love it and if you really are pushed for time then it's a great alternative.
Mostlyfoodandtravel
Yummy- ribs are one of my favourites but I have never made them at home. This sounds like a perfect recipe to start with
Corina Blum
This is a really easy recipe if you do want to try them at home. I hope you like them!
Lesley Garden
My kids love ribs, this recipe sounds delicious!
Corina Blum
Thanks Lesley! I have a few rib recipes but I think this one is our favourite and so easy too.
Jacqui bellefontaine
We love spare ribs but Ive not made them in the slow cooker before so I shall definitely be trying these, they look so yummy! Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Corina Blum
Thanks Jacqui and thanks for hosting too. I know it's such a lot of work!
Cat | Curly's Cooking
I love ribs and these look really tasty! Love the idea of cooking them in your slow cooker x
Corina Blum
The slow cooker is so good for bbq sauces I think! I have used the same recipe on a pork shoulder too though and that's also brilliant. I think I just love homemade bbq sauces which is funny as I'm not really a fan of the bought ones. x
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Oooh yum! These look so delicious and I love how you cook them in the slow cooker so they are super easy peasy!! Eb x
Corina Blum
Exactly! I can mix up the sauce while having breakfast too as it's really just a matter of measuring things out x
Monika Dabrowski
Wow, I am sure these are as delicious as they look, my boys would go crazy for this dish! And I still haven't got myself a slow cooker!
Corina Blum
Although I love my slow cooker I don't use it nearly as often as I should do. This is definitely the meal I make the most in it!
jenny walters
I have been meaning to cook these for ages.IEspecially with bbq weather rapidly approaching!?????They look delicious.Pinned
Corina Blum
Thanks! I think these would be great just finished off on a smoky bbq to give them even more flavour!
Amanda
Oh man, spare ribs are one of my favorite dinners! And I'm with you, I love the convenience of my crock pot. I really need to use it more often!
Martha
mmm yum! I love ribs!
Janice
Mmmm sounds lovely.
Jeanette
Nice choice for the SRC - these ribs look super saucy!
Delishhh
I do not have a slow cooker but this looks so good. Love ribs!
Anne (When Food is Dangerous)
Mmmm love the slow cooker and love ribs - great combination:)
yummychooeats
OMG this looks delicious!!
Lisa~~
Love ribs and these look wonderful!
If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my SRC recipe this month: Holy Guacamole.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
Peggy
Oh yummy! I can't believe that I've yet to make any ribs this season - these might just have to be the ones!
marla
These ribs would be great for a BBQ party!
So fun to be in the Secret Recipe Club with you. This looks amazing 🙂
Shelby
These are mouth watering. We love ribs!
Jo
I love a good slow cooker recipe, these look great! I will have to give them a try sometime soon...
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Corina, thanks for the wonderful review!! I'm so glad you liked them and I LOVE how you used the slow cooker! I will definitely have to do this, especially since school will be starting and we'll be busier. Thank you!!
Kate
I love spare ribs and yours look tasty! Great SRC entry!
amanda @ fake ginger
Mmm, they look saucy and delicious! My husband is obsessed with ribs right now and these look so much easier than baking or grilling!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
The sauce sounds wonderful! I've never made ribs, thanks!