Asian Sticky Slow Cooker Ribs [+ Video]

These Asian Sticky Slow Cooker Ribs fall off the bone as you eat them. They’re seasoned with a homemade dry rub and a sticky glaze that’s impossible to beat!

The Best Slow Cooker Ribs

We’ve had a slow cooker for a few years now, and yet I really don’t ever use it for slow cooker baby back ribs. I use it for everything else though, like breakfast, meats, soups, casseroles, and even dessert, but I haven’t really played around with ribs too much. They always seem a little intimidating as I’ve eaten many a dry rib in my day, and no one wants to be chewing on meat for an hour.

Cade does his fall off the bone ribs, but that recipe is made in the oven and it’s a little more of a process. Not too much, they are still awesome, but I wanted some good and sticky pork ribs that I didn’t have to think about. I feel like this Asian sticky slow cooker ribs recipe is one of those recipes I want to shout from the rooftops, it’s honestly that good. The sauce is just killer. I’m so excited to be working with McCormick to share this recipe!

Ribs Recipe in Our First Cookbook

This recipe appears in our first cookbook, Our Sweet Basil Cookbook, and has been a reader favorite for years. If you’d like to have this recipe in cookbook form, you can grab it on Amazon. That cookbook is loaded with so many of our family favorites! You’ll love it!

High Quality Spices

One of the things that I get asked a lot is what ingredients do you buy, which brand is your favorite, and what ingredients do you stick with the most?

Well butter, cheese, and eggs for sure as those basics can totally change a recipe, but spices are another big one. Stop buying the cheapest ingredients at the store. If you want cheap long grain rice, go for it. I’m sure you’ll survive, but spices? You need good quality and a brand that is in it for their love of food. No really, they aren’t paying me to say that part, that’s all me.

You guys, one simple change can make your food taste better. Who wouldn’t want that? We also try mixing up the kinds of spices we use in our recipe. For example, this pork rib rub recipe uses smoked paprika instead of regular. It adds a new depth of flavor that totally transforms the dish.

Slow Cooker Ribs Ingredients

The ingredients list for this CrockPot ribs recipe is fairly simple, but there are quite a few herbs and spices on the list.

Dry Rub

Light brown sugar
Smoked paprika
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Pepper
Kosher salt

Sticky Sauce

Ground ginger
Ground pepper
Onion powder
Garlic
Sweet chili sauce
Reduced sodium soy sauce
Balsamic vinegar
Brown sugar
Honey
Cornstarch
Water

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Slow Cooker Ribs

These slow cooker baby back ribs require some prep work, but once the ribs are in the CrockPot you can walk away! Here are the basic steps to making slow cooker pork ribs:

Whisk together the sticky sauce ingredients. Pour half the mixture into a saucepan and cook until thickened.
Trim the membrane off the ribs (see section below), then rub all over with the slow cooker rib dry rub.
Place the ribs into the slow cooker. Pour half the runny sticky sauce mixture over the ribs (the half that didn’t get cooked in the saucepan).
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook the ribs on low for 8 hours.
Once cooked, place ribs on a broiler pan and brush with reserved sticky sauce mixture.
Broil the ribs for a few minutes, until the top looks sticky.

The instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Remove the Membrane From Ribs

Never removed the membrane from ribs before? Don’t worry, it’s easy! Here’s how you should remove the membrane from pork ribs before putting them into the slow cooker:

At one end of the rack, slide a dinner knife under the membrane and over a bone.
Lift and loosen the membrane until it tears.
Grab the edge of the membrane with a paper towel and pull it off.

The membrane may come off in one whole piece, or you may need to remove it in smaller pieces.

Can I Make Pork Ribs in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! If you want to make these slow cooker ribs in an Instant Pot, follow the instructions for our Smoky BBQ Ribs but use the dry rub recipe listed in this post instead.

Can I Use Boneless Ribs Instead of Bone-In?

You likely can, but boneless ribs won’t need to be cooked as long as bone-in. Also, boneless ribs tend to be less juicy and tender than bone-in.

Can I Use A Different Rib Rub?

Yes, but we really love how this homemade rib rub pairs with the Asian sticky slow cooker ribs. Homemade is always better than store-bought!

Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Ribs

We prefer cooking our slow cooker ribs low and slow for 8 hours, but technically you can cook them on high for less time. We’ve found that patience is a virtue when cooking ribs though — nobody wants to eat tough meat!

Note that you’ll have leftover sticky sauce after broiling the ribs. Our family likes slathering the ribs with more sauce as we eat them, which is why the sticky sauce recipe makes extra.

Slow cooker pork ribs reheat well the next day and can easily be pulled off the bone and made into sandwiches, thrown atop salads, and more.

I know ribs can be a little intimidating but making them in the slow cooker makes them easier than ever! These slow cooker ribs with Asian sticky sauce are so tender and bold in flavor! You’ll be lickin’ your fingers clean!

More Ribs Recipes You Should Try:

More Crock Pot Recipes:

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