Slow-Cooked Honey Barbecue Pork Spare Ribs

Tender, juicy pork spare ribs slowly cooked until they’re fall-apart tender, then coated in a sticky, sweet, and smoky honey barbecue glaze. This easy slow-cooker recipe is perfect for a comforting family dinner or weekend barbecue.

🍖 Ingredients

For the Ribs

• 3–4 lbs (1.4–1.8 kg) pork spare ribs
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

For the Honey BBQ Sauce

• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• ½ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Ribs

Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs if it is still attached. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.

Mix together the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and oregano.

Rub the seasoning mixture generously over both sides of the ribs.

2. Make the Honey BBQ Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Reserve about ½ cup of the sauce for brushing on the ribs later.

3. Add to the Slow Cooker

Cut the ribs into sections that fit comfortably in your slow cooker.

Place them in the crockpot and pour the remaining BBQ sauce over the ribs.

Spread the sauce evenly over the meat.

4. Slow Cook

Cover and cook on:

• LOW: 7–8 hours
• HIGH: 4–5 hours

The ribs should be very tender and easy to pull apart.

Avoid repeatedly opening the lid during cooking because it allows heat and moisture to escape.

5. Add the Final Glaze

Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker.

Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Brush generously with the reserved honey barbecue sauce.

For a delicious caramelized finish, place the ribs under a broiler for 2–4 minutes, watching them closely until the sauce becomes sticky and lightly caramelized.

Alternatively, finish them on a hot grill for a few minutes per side.

6. Rest and Serve

Allow the ribs to rest for about 5 minutes before cutting into individual portions.

Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

⭐ Tips for Tender Ribs

• Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for a more tender bite.
• LOW cooking is recommended for the most tender results.
• Don’t add too much liquid—the ribs release plenty of juices while cooking.
• Save some sauce for the final glaze rather than putting all of it in the crockpot.
• Broiling or grilling at the end gives the ribs that delicious sticky barbecue finish.
• Watch the ribs carefully under the broiler because the honey and brown sugar can caramelize quickly.

🍽️ What to Serve With Honey BBQ Ribs

These ribs pair perfectly with:

• Creamy coleslaw
• Corn on the cob
• Baked beans
• Mac and cheese
• Potato salad
• Cornbread
• French fries
• Roasted vegetables

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours on LOW
Broiling Time: 2–4 minutes
Total Time: About 7½–8½ hours
Servings: 4–6
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American BBQ