Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Sticky Ribs

Tender, flavorful, and irresistibly sticky, these Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Sticky Ribs are the ultimate comfort food for any occasion. Featuring fall-off-the-bone pork spare ribs coated in a luscious homemade sweet and tangy sauce, this recipe perfectly balances bold flavors with effortless preparation. A savory mix of garlic, onion, soy sauce, and honey melds beautifully with the rich sweetness of brown sugar and ketchup, all slow-cooked to perfection. Finished under the broiler for a caramelized glaze and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, these ribs are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Ideal for family dinners or gatherings, this dish brings slow cooker convenience to the world of restaurant-quality barbecue.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:375 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Pork spare ribs
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 1 cup Ketchup
• 0.5 cup Brown sugar
• 0.25 cup Soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Cornstarch
• 2 tbsp Water
• 2 Green onion, sliced (for garnish)
• 1 tbsp Sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the ribs by removing the membrane on the back. This will ensure the ribs are more tender and allow the flavors to penetrate better.

Step 2

Season both sides of the ribs evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Cut the ribs into sections of 3 to 4 bones to fit into your slow cooker more easily.

Step 4

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, and minced garlic until well combined.

Step 5

Place the rib sections into the slow cooker, arranging them in layers. Pour the prepared sauce over the ribs, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Step 6

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours, or on high heat for 4 hours, until the ribs are tender and nearly falling off the bone.

Step 7

Once the ribs are cooked, carefully remove them from the slow cooker and place them on a large baking sheet lined with foil. Preheat the broiler in your oven to high.

Step 8

Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and let it reduce for 5–7 minutes.

Step 9

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the saucepan, whisking constantly, to thicken the sauce. Simmer the sauce for an additional 2–3 minutes until glossy and thickened.

Step 10

Brush the thickened sauce generously over the ribs, ensuring they’re well coated. Broil the ribs for 3–5 minutes until the sauce becomes caramelized and sticky, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Step 11

Remove the ribs from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy your sweet and sour sticky ribs!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1916.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4859.8

Total Fat 323.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 116.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 1197.5mg	0%
Sodium 6805.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 193.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.8g	0%
Total Sugars 148.3g
Protein 287.4g	0%

Vitamin D 598.7IU	0%
Calcium 525.8mg	0%
Iron 19.4mg	0%
Potassium 3577.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.2%

Protein: 23.8%

Carbs: 16.0%