Slow Cooker BBQ Spareribs Recipe

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Published: August 2, 2021Author: Camille Beckstrand
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Our Mom made this recipe for us about once a month and would have to double the recipe because we could eat ALL of it in one sitting! This recipe is made with Country Style ribs so you get a lot more tender rib meat!
Slow Cooker BBQ Spareribs Recipe

I am a die hard rib fanatic.  I could eat them all the time.

These ribs are 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.

How to Make BBQ Spareribs in the Instant Pot

This recipe is one of the easy ones to make into an Instant Pot Recipe! Follow these steps and you will be fine.

  1. Place your spareribs into the bottom of the instant pot.
  2. Add all of your ingredients right on top. It doesn’t matter the order, just make sure they are all in there!
  3. This is the part that is different! Add 1/2 cup of water into the pot!
  4. 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!
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What else could i use the sauce with?

I love this sauce. It has the most amazing flavor, and it tenderizes meat nicely.

If you are looking to try it with another meat, here are a few we recommend:

  • steak marinade
  • pork chops (you could marinade them and grill them, or put them in the slow cooker)
  • chicken (again you could marinade the chicken and grill it, or put it in the slow cooker)
  • pork roast (this makes and amazing pulled pork sandwich)

Would any vinegar work for this BBQ Spareribs recipe?

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.

Related recipe: Don’t have vinegar? No problem! Try our Slow Cooker Country Style BBQ Ribs.

Looking for more rib recipes? Here are a few of our favorite:

Serves: 4

Slow Cooker BBQ Spareribs Recipe

These Ribs were one of our favorite meals growing up and they seriously couldn't be easier to make!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 6 hrs
Total Time 6 hrs 5 mins
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds COUNTRY STYLE BONELESS SPARE RIBS (I HAVE ALSO USED BONE-IN)
  • 1½ cups KETCHUP
  • 1½ Tablespoons OLD BAY SEASONING  (OR SEASONED SALT WORKS GREAT TOO)
  • 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

TO MAKE THIS A QUICK AND EASY FREEZER MEAL, PLACE RIBS IN 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 FOR 3-4 HOURS OR LOW FOR 6-7 HOURS.

Nutrition

Calories: 655 kcal · Carbohydrates: 52 g · Protein: 26 g · Fat: 37 g · Saturated Fat: 12 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 14 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 127 mg · Sodium: 955 mg · Potassium: 715 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 46 g · Vitamin A: 501 IU · Vitamin C: 4 mg · Calcium: 78 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • small bowl

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

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Slow cooker BBQ Spareribs Recipe

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  1. The Ellis' says:
    April 20, 2011
    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!
    Reply
  2. Carrie says:
    March 8, 2012
    Hey six sisters! I love your blog and have been following you and sharing my recipes and I would love for you to pop on over and share this and some of your other yummy healthy recipes with Kelli and I at Kids in the Kitchen link up: http://younglivingoillady.com/home/kids-in-the-kitchen-week-3/ We desire families to get back to the table at night and for kids to be little helpers in the process. Thanks so much! Blessings! Carrie @ younglivingoillady.com
    Reply
  3. Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says:
    March 12, 2012
    My husband will love me forever if I try this one! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
    Reply
  4. Stephanie says:
    September 22, 2012
    Could you use a pork tenderloin with this??
    Reply
    • Six Sisters says:
      October 16, 2012
      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!
      Reply
  5. katewehlann says:
    October 29, 2012
    What is liquid smoke?
    Reply
    • Six Sisters says:
      October 29, 2012
      Liquid smoke is in a brown bottle found by the ketchup or Worcestershire sauce. It adds a nice smoky flavor!
      Reply
  6. craziique says:
    January 18, 2013
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    Reply
    • Six Sisters says:
      January 19, 2013
      T is for Tablespoon and t is for teaspoon! :)
      Reply
  7. Jen says:
    January 18, 2013
    My boyfriend will love me if I try this for him!
    Reply
  8. Rae says:
    March 6, 2013
    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.
    Reply
  9. Resplendent Dreamer says:
    March 12, 2013
    I went to the store and noticed, there are sooo many kinds of vinegar! which kind does this recipe call for?
    Reply
    • Six Sisters says:
      March 12, 2013
      We used the distilled white vinegar. It is very inexpensive. Nothing fancy! :)
      Reply
  10. Sheralyn says:
    January 25, 2014
    I've never heard of old bay seasoning. Where do You buy it?
    Reply
    • Monica says:
      August 27, 2018
      They can be found in a grocery store where the salt and spices are. My local Safeway has it.
      Reply
  11. Lesta says:
    December 3, 2014
    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!
    Reply
    • Mickey Zimmer says:
      June 26, 2020
      Is Old Bay Seasoning spicy hot?
      Reply
  12. Judi Fotherby says:
    April 18, 2016
    Can I use the sauce for my pork chops?
    Reply
    • Cyd says:
      April 19, 2016
      The sauce works great for pork chops too!
      Reply
  13. Seymoore says:
    October 1, 2020
    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!
    Reply
    • Momma Cyd says:
      October 15, 2020
      They would be delicious over rice. We like them with Mashed Potatoes or cheesy potatoes. And a veggie on the side.
      Reply
  14. Em says:
    October 3, 2020
    No not at all spicy
    Reply
  15. Randi says:
    October 4, 2020
    What is the cooking time for this recipe in the instant pot?
    Reply
    • Momma Cyd says:
      October 15, 2020
      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/
      Reply
  16. Amy says:
    October 8, 2020
    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!
    Reply
    • Momma Cyd says:
      October 15, 2020
      Yes, add 1 cup of water.
      Reply
  17. Jen says:
    October 23, 2020
    When doubling the meat, do you also double all other ingredients? Would the cooking time be the same? Thank you 😊
    Reply
  18. Donna Gill says:
    November 7, 2020
    Can I use this recipe with short ribs in the instant pot?
    Reply
    • Momma Cyd says:
      November 11, 2020
      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/
      Reply
  19. Diana says:
    November 16, 2021
    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
    Reply
    • Momma Cyd says:
      November 23, 2021
      It should work just fine, the cook time may not be as long. So watch closely!
      Reply
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