Easy Slow Cooker Spare Ribs recipe that takes 8 hours in the crock pot! These BBQ spare ribs taste sweet and smokey and will make your mouth water!

Slow Cooker BBQ Spare Ribs Recipe
These Spare Ribs are finger licking delicious! They’re slow cooked in a sweet and smokey barbecue sauce, so the meat is going to fall off the bone. I told you, finger licking good!
This recipe is easy to make, all you need to do is add a couple ingredients into the crock pot, add your spare ribs and then wait for 8 hours for them to be done. Bonus: during the 8 hours your kitchen is going to smell better and better!
How long do spare ribs take in the slow cooker?
Spare ribs take 8 hours on LOW in the slow cooker. This will produce super moist meat that just falls right off the bone!
Ingredients
- pork spare ribs
- salt and pepper
- barbecue sauce (use your favorite or make homemade bbq sauce!)
- brown sugar
- finely chopped onion
- finely chopped bell pepper (I recommend red, but green is ok too!)
- minced garlic
How to Make Spare Ribs in the Crockpot
This crockpot recipe is incredibly easy to make. You really just add everything into your slow cooker, and then come back in 8 hours for mouth watering spare ribs!
First, season your spare ribs by rubbing salt and pepper on both sides.
Add the remaining ingredients into the slow cooker and mix to combine. Add spare ribs on top, and spoon the sauce on top of them.
Close the lid and cook, and walk into your kitchen 50 times because you can’t wait to taste these!
Serve and enjoy!
What’s the difference between baby back ribs and spare ribs?
The difference is where the meat comes from. Baby back ribs are cut from the top of the rib cage, while spare ribs are cut from the bottom of the rib cage. The farther you go down the rib cage, the thicker and meatier the ribs get.
What to Serve With Spare Ribs?
- Crockpot Refried Beans
- Collard Greens with Bacon
- Roasted Corn, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Cheesy Green Bean and Potato Casserole
- Moist Buttermilk Cornbread or Jalapeno Cornbread
- Corn and Black Bean Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Like
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Slow Cooker Sausage and Green Peppers
Crock Pot Kielbasa in Tomato Sauce
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Cabbage
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Slow Cooker Spare Ribs
PrintIngredients
- 2 pounds pork spare ribs
- salt + pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Rub your spareribs on both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Add barbecue sauce, brown sugar, onion, bell pepper and garlic into slow cooker. Stir to combine. Add spare ribs on top, and spoon sauce mixture to cover them.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Your kitty is one heck of a star.
Slow cooked spare ribs must taste AWESOME..looks so good.
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Please can Ihave these for sinner today? Gosh, they look awesome and that cornbread is calling my name ๐
ATasteOfMadness says
I really need a crockpot. This looks SO good!
Pamela says
Hope you get one, they are best friend material! ๐
Cailee says
These look delicious!! And your cat wants in?? Haha how cute!
Pamela says
Essy wants in on all the goodies. ๐
Mr. & Mrs. P says
These look so tender and flavorful!! Looks like someone wanted to try them out. lol
Pamela says
Essy is my official taste tester. ๐
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
With that description of bbq spareribs.. hahaha I want to marry it. I can just imagine how amazing it must smell. Essy is so cute!
Pamela says
Invite me to the wedding! ๐
Norma Chang says
Simple, no fuss yet delicious, my kind of recipe.
Pamela says
Thanks Norma!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Incredible! These look soooo mouthwatering, Pamela!
Pamela says
Thanks Georgia!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
These spareribs look wonderful! I am not a big meat eater, but I bet the rub would be great with chicken too!
Pamela says
That sounds delicious Shashi!
yummychunklet says
Oh, what fantastic looking ribs!
Pamela says
Thanks!
Johlene says
So I started this diet and here I am trying to keep the hunger at bay with a delicious (I say that to fool myself) decaf coffee but then I see this post.. Oh my word!! I want one now!! Xx
Pamela says
I know how that feels.. I’m sorry! ๐
Aimee / Wallflower Girl says
I could show these spareribs a good time
Pamela says
Go on girl..
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Slow cooking spare ribs if pretty much brilliant!
Pamela says
Thanks Ashley!
Pam says
I have a sudden craving for ribs! They look terrific.
Pamela says
Thanks Pam!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
Don’t judge me for this but I’ve never eaten ribs! At least I don’t think I have? At least I have a slow cooker so I can make these at home!
Pamela says
Give them a try Davida, enjoy!
Hani/Haniela's says
They look amazing! Yum.
Pamela says
Thanks Hani!
Cecile says
I’m heading out soon to grocery shop AND I am – FOR SURE – gonna buy all the fixin’s for these ribs!!! What for dinner tonight – RIBS !!!!!!!!!!!!
Pamela says
Enjoy Cecile!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
Any recipe that’s Essy approved is ok by me ๐ These sound amazing and I’m loving that they’re slow-cooked. Also, I just noticed and love your “Happy Halloween” thing on your sidebar ๐
Pamela says
Essy is my official taste tester, I have no say on the matter. ๐
Marcie@flavorthemoments says
These look amazing, Pamela, and I love that they can be made in a slow cooker!
Pamela says
I love anything made in a slow cooker! Thanks Marcie!
Todd @ HonestlyYUM says
Get outta here…this looks too good to be true. I’m literally staring at the screen drooling. That’s it, BBQ is happening this week. Thank you Pamela, as always…btw, those cat pics are priceless.
Pamela says
Enjoy Todd!
Laura @ The Rookie Cook says
Looks super yummy, I know the hubs would love this one! And I love your cat – makes me want one!!
Pamela says
Thanks Laura, meow. ๐
Shundara@SavyNaturalista says
Oh gosh I love that song and these ribs would bring me to the yard. I love the white of your crock pot so pretty.
Pamela says
Enjoy girl!
Monica says
I’m seriously craving some ribs. I love that this makes just enough for my lunch (haha) and I don’t have to broil them first beforehand.
Pamela says
Enjoy Monica! ๐
Stephanie @ PlainChicken says
Two paws up? Well, I must give them a try! They look delicious!
Pamela says
Enjoy Stephanie!
Francine says
OH HELL NO. GET OUTTA HERE WITH THAT. YOU CRAY. *mops drool off the floor*
Pamela says
<3 Thanks Francine.
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie says
Every time I hear the Milkshake song, I think of Mean Girls, which is the best movie EVER ๐ These spareribs look incredible!
Pamela says
I haven’t seen it, maybe I should now!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I’m kind of dying over the literal translation of “Milkshake”. That’s hilarious! However, these ribs definitely deserve that sort of homage. I mean, look at them. For gosh’s sake. Man, they look good.
Pamela says
Glad you liked the translation, it made me laugh. ๐
Joanne says
I’m going to have to hide this post from the.boy so that he doesn’t cry when I don’t make it for him. Or maybe i will make it as an extra nice surprise for his birthday or some special occasion? hmmm.
Pamela says
You would sure be the best if you made it for him Joanne. ๐
Kelly says
Love the sound of these slow cooked ribs, they look fantastic! Hehe no wonder Essy couldn’t resist – who could resist moist and juicy spareribs that fall off the bone? Love how easy they sound to put together too:)
Pamela says
Thanks Kelly! Essy always knows where the grub is.. ๐
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
That looks so tender and juicy! I’m so jealous Essy got his/her own plate! ๐ YUM!
Pamela says
Essy is one good girl. ๐ Thanks Anne!