Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs

These Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs are tender, flavorful, and coated in a sticky-sweet garlic sauce with a hint of spice. They're a family favorite in our house and pair perfectly with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or your favorite greens!

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This post was last updated 5/2025.

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Shopping list:

• baby back ribs
• garlic cloves
• dark soy sauce
• sweet soy sauce
• honey
• onion powder
• paprika
• cumin

These Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs are fall off the bone tender and packed with bold, sweet and savory flavor! Made with baby back ribs and a rich, sticky sauce of honey, garlic, dark and sweet soy sauce, they slow cook to perfection with minimal effort. A touch of onion powder, paprika, and cumin adds warmth and depth, making every bite irresistible.

My girls absolutely go crazy for these ribs! They’re perfect served with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, or a side of greens. Whether it’s a laid back weeknight dinner or a weekend comfort meal, these ribs are always a hit. The slow cooker makes them practically effortless!

Looking for more slow cooker pork recipes? Try my Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas or Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork!

Is honey your sweetener of choice? If so, check out these Spiced Honey Pretzels or Air Fryer Honey Roasted Carrots!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

Recipe tips and substitution ideas:

• This recipe is super flexible, so feel free to make a few swaps based on what you have on hand or your personal taste! You can use country-style ribs instead of baby back ribs for a meatier, heartier option. If you like a little heat, toss in some crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Maple syrup is a great substitute for honey and adds a rich, cozy sweetness. You can also use teriyaki sauce in place of dark soy sauce for a slightly sweeter, more mellow flavor. Swap in chili powder instead of cumin or smoked paprika instead of regular for a smoky twist, and if you're out of fresh garlic, garlic powder works just as well.

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. This would be best reheated in a skillet or air fryer for the best flavor.

• To remove the membrane from baby back ribs, flip the rack over so the curved side faces up. Slide a butter knife under the thin, silvery membrane along one end to loosen it, then grip it with a paper towel and peel it off in one piece. Removing the membrane helps the ribs become more tender and allows the seasoning and sauce to soak in better. This step is optional.

• For a caramelized finish, brush the ribs with sauce and broil or grill them for a few minutes after slow cooking. This adds texture and enhances flavor.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
• OXO Measuring Beaker Set
• Basting Pastry Brush
• Nextrend Garlic Twister

Yield 2 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

10 Min

Cook time

8 Hour

Total time

8 H & 10 M

Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs

These Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs are fall-apart tender and loaded with sweet, garlicky flavor from a rich soy-honey sauce. They're always a hit with my family and taste amazing alongside mashed potatoes, baked mac and cheese, or hearty greens.

Ingredients

• 1 rack of baby back ribs, membrane removed and cut in half
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ cup dark soy sauce
• ¼ cup sweet soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, paprika, cumin and black pepper. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs.
2. In another bowl, combine the minced garlic, dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and honey. Stir until well blended.
3. Brush the prepared marinade generously over the ribs, reserving a portion to use during cooking.
4. Cut the rack of ribs in half if needed and place them in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until the ribs are tender.
5. Every hour, brush the ribs with the reserved marinade for extra flavor and moisture.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

597

Fat

23 g

Sat. Fat

8 g

Carbs

67 g

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

66 g

Sugar

57 g

Protein

31 g

Sodium

2270 mg

Cholesterol

98 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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