This slow cooker BBQ spareribs recipe is so easy that you can easily dump it in the slow cooker and walk away for the day. Then, when you are ready to eat, you can serve them at dinner time.
This recipe can easily be made into a freezer meal that literally takes only a couple of minutes to prepare. Read the instructions below to see how we make this recipe into an easy freezer meal.
The best part is, you can make these ribs in an instant pot as well. They are quick, delicious, and taste just as perfect.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our slow cooker BBQ spareribs, you need the following ingredients:
- Country Style Boneless Spare Ribs
- Ketchup
- Old Bay Seasoning (or Seasoned Salt)
- Liquid Smoke
- Brown Sugar
- Vinegar
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Spareribs
- Spray Slow Cooker with non stick cooking spray.
- Place pork in crockpot.
- Mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl and pour over pork.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
Recipe Notes
Leftover ribs may be stored, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days in the fridge.
If you can’t find boneless Country Style Ribs, we have used bone in ribs for this recipe before and they worked just fine.
Freezer Meal Modification
- Place ribs in a resealable gallon sized freezer bag.
- Mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl and pour over pork. Mix together in bag and zip closed.
- When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours.
- Spray slow cooker with non stick cooking spray and pour contents of bag inside slow cooker.
- Cook on High 3-4 hours or Low for 6-7 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Place your spareribs into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add all of your ingredients right on top. It doesn’t matter the order, just make sure they are all in there. This is the part that is different! Add .5 cup of water into the pot. Push “Manual” and set the timer for 30 minutes. (Remember it takes about 10-15 minutes to pressurize – that extra time is not counted in the timer). Then let it release on it’s own. (You can do a quick release if you must though!
If you are looking to try it with another meat, we recommend the following: steak marinade, pork chops, chicken, or pork roast.
For this recipe, we have only made it using distilled white vinegar. However, I am sure any vinegar would work great with this recipe. Just needs a little extra punch to give it that extra tender texture and bring out the sweeter flavor of the meat.
Enjoy More Delicious Pork Main Dishes
Whether you like your pork cooked in the slow cooker, grill, or Instant Pot, pork is one of the most versatile main dishes. Check out our comprehensive collection of pork main dishes here.
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter BBQ Spareribs
- Slow Cooker Apricot Glazed Pork Tenderloin
- Slow Cooker BBQ Country Style Ribs
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Slow Cooker BBQ Ranch Ribs
- Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
- Slow Cooker Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin
- Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
- Slow Cooker Chile Verde Pork Enchiladas
Slow Cooker BBQ Spareribs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Country Style Boneless Spare Ribs, (You can also use bone-in)
- 1½ cups ketchup
- 1½ Tablespoon old bay seasoning, (or seasoned salt)
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vinegar
Instructions
- Spray Slow Cooker with non stick cooking spray.
- Place pork in crockpot.
- Mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl and pour over pork.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Mom sent me this recipe in a text a year ago and I finally deleted it so I’m so happy have it! Making these tomorrow now!
My husband will love me forever if I try this one! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
Could you use a pork tenderloin with this??
Hi Stephanie!
I have never tried this with pork tenderloin, but I am sure it would work just fine. Let us know if you try it!
What is liquid smoke?
Liquid smoke is in a brown bottle found by the ketchup or Worcestershire sauce. It adds a nice smoky flavor!
My boyfriend will love me if I try this for him!
T is for Tablespoon and t is for teaspoon! 🙂
We always had a version of this growing up, but we used barbecue sauce doctored up with brown sugar to give it a little extra kick. It’s one of my go-to meals now as pork ribs are always on sale.
I went to the store and noticed, there are sooo many kinds of vinegar! which kind does this recipe call for?
We used the distilled white vinegar. It is very inexpensive. Nothing fancy! 🙂
I’ve never heard of old bay seasoning. Where do
You buy it?
YUM!! Shame on me for doubting any of your recipes! I’ve just not used my Old Bay seasoning much, so I had my doubts. This meet had the best flavor! I had company for dinner and everyone had seconds! That is ALWAYS a good sign!
Can I use the sauce for my pork chops?
The sauce works great for pork chops too!
They can be found in a grocery store where the salt and spices are. My local Safeway has it.
Is Old Bay Seasoning spicy hot?
I have cooked the ribs and am wondering how to best serve them— over rice? Alone? To eat with fork and knife, or with hands like ribs on the bone? I’m just not familiar with this cut of meat. It smells good, and I’m sure it’ll taste good, too!
No not at all spicy
What is the cooking time for this recipe in the instant pot?
If I double this recipe for the instant pot, do I add a cup of water instead of 1/2 cup? Excited to try this!
Yes, add 1 cup of water.
This will blog post will help you on converting slow cooker recipes to the instant pot. https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/how-to-convert-recipes-into-instant-pot-recipes/
They would be delicious over rice. We like them with Mashed Potatoes or cheesy potatoes. And a veggie on the side.
When doubling the meat, do you also double all other ingredients? Would the cooking time be the same? Thank you 😊
Can I use this recipe with short ribs in the instant pot?
It should work great with short ribs too. Here’s a link on how to convert recipes to the instant pot. https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/how-to-convert-recipes-into-instant-pot-recipes/
Hello … I came across this amazing sounding recipe… I have pork spare rib cubed pieces…. Will they work for this recipe ?Also I have just over 2 lbs of this meat …. please and thank you
It should work just fine, the cook time may not be as long. So watch closely!
This recipe sounds delicious! Can I use it for bone in ribs? Cooking time for them?
You can make this with bone-in ribs. I would just add to the cooking time, checking for doneness at the 6 hour mark and then every half hour or so until your desired doneness