Meet your new favorite weeknight hero: Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs. This crowd-pleasing dish is a beautiful blend of sweet, savory, and sticky flavors, featuring ultra-tender baby back ribs that slow-cook their way to perfection. With minimal prep and just a handful of pantry staples, you can create finger-licking ribs that taste as if they simmered all day—with hardly any effort. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or want a stress-free entertaining option, these ribs are guaranteed to be a hit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs is short but mighty! Each component pulls its weight in adding big flavors, gorgeous color, and irresistible aroma to every bite. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these ribs shine.
- Baby back ribs: These become melt-in-your-mouth tender in the slow cooker, soaking up every bit of the sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the whole dish with a punchy, savory backbone that plays perfectly with the sweet elements.
- Dark soy sauce: Adds rich color and depth, providing that signature umami boost to the sauce.
- Sweet soy sauce: Slightly thicker and sweeter than regular soy, it brings balance and caramelization to the glaze.
- Raw honey: Honey delivers a delicate sweetness and sticky texture, helping to create a luscious glaze that clings to every piece of rib.
- Onion powder: A dash of this pantry staple amps up the background flavor without overpowering the sauce.
- Paprika powder: Adds gentle warmth and a subtle smokiness, plus a vibrant pop of color.
- Cumin: Just a pinch brings earthiness and complexity, rounding out the flavor profile beautifully.
How to Make Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs
Step 1: Make the Dry Rub
Start by mixing together the onion powder, paprika powder, and cumin in a small bowl. This dry rub is more than the sum of its parts: it’s what will give your Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs their deliciously seasoned exterior and set the stage for the sticky sauce to shine. Make sure to massage this blend all over the ribs for the most flavorful results!
Step 2: Prepare the Glaze
Next, mince your garlic as finely as possible—more surface area means more garlic flavor in every bite. Stir the garlic into the dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and raw honey until everything is happily combined. This mixture will act as both the marinade and the finishing touch, so don’t forget to reserve a few spoonfuls for later brushing.
Step 3: Marinade and Cut the Ribs
Generously brush the glaze all over both sides of the ribs, making sure every inch gets a glossy coat. The combination of honey and soy will start working its magic straight away. Once glazed, cut the rack of ribs in half so they’ll nestle nicely into your slow cooker—no wrestling required!
Step 4: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
Place the rib sections straight into your slow cooker, stacking if needed. Set to low for 7–8 hours, or if you’re short on time, crank it to high for 4–5 hours. That’s it—your Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs are mostly hands-off from here. Once an hour, grab that reserved glaze and brush down the ribs for extra stickiness and amplified flavor.
Step 5: Get Saucy and Serve
When the cooking time is up, your ribs should be incredibly tender and coated in a shiny, mouthwatering glaze. For an extra-saucy finish, you can baste with any leftover juices from the slow cooker or drizzle with the reserved marinade. Now, you’re just moments away from digging in!
How to Serve Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs
Garnishes
Finish your Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs with a shower of sliced green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. These touches add freshness and a bit of crunch—plus, they make your dish look as irresistible as it tastes! If you’re feeling fancy, a handful of fresh cilantro leaves or thin slices of mild chili can also amp up the color and aroma.
Side Dishes
This sticky, flavorful main dish is wonderful with fluffy steamed rice to soak up the sauce. For a veggie boost, serve alongside lightly stir-fried bok choy, snap peas, or a refreshing cucumber salad. Mashed potatoes or buttered corn also work beautifully if you want to lean into comfort food territory.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, slice the ribs apart and pile them high on a rustic board with plenty of napkins—watch them disappear! Or build out an Asian-inspired platter with pickled vegetables and lettuce leaves for wrapping. These Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs also make a fantastic centerpiece for a casual buffet or a weekend family dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs can be cooled to room temperature, then packed into an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen after a night in the fridge—some might argue they’re even better the second day!
Freezing
These ribs freeze surprisingly well. Once completely cooled, wrap portions tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer bag. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, place the ribs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm gently in a 300°F oven until hot and tender, about 20–25 minutes. Or use the microwave for a speedier option—just cover and heat in short bursts to avoid drying them out. Brush with a little extra honey or soy sauce if you want to revive their glossy glaze.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of ribs for this recipe?
Absolutely! While baby back ribs are especially tender and quick to cook, you can substitute with spare ribs or even beef short ribs if you’d like. Just add a bit of extra cooking time if your cuts are thicker.
Is it possible to prepare the ribs the night before?
Yes! You can rub and marinate the ribs up to 24 hours ahead—just cover them tightly and refrigerate. Pop them straight into the slow cooker in the morning for an effortless dinner later on.
What can I use instead of sweet soy sauce?
If you can’t find sweet soy sauce, simply add an extra tablespoon of honey to regular soy or mix in a splash of molasses. It won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll still get lovely depth and sweetness.
Can I make Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs spicy?
Definitely—feel free to stir a pinch of chili flakes, a squirt of sriracha, or a little diced fresh chili into the glaze. Adjust the heat to match your preference!
Do I need to sear the ribs before slow cooking?
You don’t need to! The ribs will emerge deeply flavorful and tender from the slow cooker thanks to the robust sauce. But if you want extra caramelization, you can broil the finished ribs for a couple of minutes right before serving.
Final Thoughts
Once you try these Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs, you’ll want to put this recipe on repeat for cozy nights and family gatherings. They’re proof that incredible flavor doesn’t need to mean lots of work. Give them a shot next time you’re craving something deliciously different—the only hard part will be resisting a second serving!
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Easy Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs Recipe
- Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
These Crockpot Honey Garlic Soy Spareribs are the ultimate ‘dump and go’ meal, combining tender baby back ribs with a sweet and savory glaze made from honey, garlic, and soy sauce. Perfect for busy days or when you want a hassle-free, flavorful dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Ribs:
- 1 rack of baby back ribs
Marinade:
- 4 cloves of garlic
- ¼ cup dark soy sauce
- ¼ cup sweet soy sauce
- ¼ cup raw honey
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ½ tsp cumin
Instructions
- Rub Dry Mixture: In a small bowl, mix onion powder, paprika powder, and cumin. Rub the mixture over the ribs.
- Prepare Marinade: Mince garlic, then combine with dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and honey. Brush the mixture over the ribs, reserving some.
- Cook: Cut ribs in half, place in the slow cooker, and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Baste: Every hour, brush the ribs with the reserved marinade to keep them flavorful and moist.
Notes
- Make sure to monitor the ribs occasionally to prevent burning.
- You can broil the ribs for a few minutes after slow cooking for a caramelized finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 400
- Sugar: Approx. 20g
- Sodium: Approx. 800mg
- Fat: Approx. 25g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 25g
- Fiber: Approx. 1g
- Protein: Approx. 20g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 80mg
