Name: Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h 10 min
Total time: 6 h 30 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 3 pounds St. Louis style spare ribs (one rack of ribs); 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/2 cup honey; 1/3 cup hoisin sauce; 1 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 5 cloves garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional); 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Jump to Recipe

If you love savory, sticky, fall-off-the-bone ribs with a bold flavor twist, this Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to. Imagine juicy ribs infused with a balance of sweet honey, umami-rich hoisin, aromatic five-spice powder, and a touch of heat all slow-cooked to perfection, then finished under the broiler to achieve that irresistible caramelized exterior. This dish brings together classic Chinese flavors in a nearly effortless way, making your home kitchen smell like a cozy restaurant and your table the place everyone wants to be.

Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t let the short ingredient list fool you: every element in this Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe has a role to play, bringing layers of flavor, color, and that signature sticky-sweet texture. Let’s break down why you shouldn’t skip a single one!

St. Louis style spare ribs: These meaty, evenly cut pork ribs are perfect for soaking up every ounce of saucy goodness.
Soy sauce: Delivers a salty, umami depth that forms the flavor backbone.
Honey: Adds gloss, sweetness, and helps the glaze caramelize beautifully under the broiler.
Hoisin sauce: This thick, fragrant sauce gives the recipe a sweet-salty richness and unmistakable Chinese flair.
Chinese five-spice powder: A little goes a long way to provide that warm, aromatic complexity you crave in authentic Chinese cooking.
Brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness and helps the sauce become perfectly sticky.
Red pepper flakes: Brings a gentle, lingering heat that balances the sweet notes without overpowering.
Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic infuses every bite with savory intensity.
Ground ginger: Bright, peppery, and unexpectedly warming, ginger makes the sauce sing.
Red food coloring (optional): That traditional hint of color makes the ribs pop visually, but the taste is fabulous regardless.
Cornstarch: Thickens the marinade into a luscious glaze that clings to every rib.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Marinade

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, ground ginger, and red food coloring if you’re using it. Make sure everything is well combined so that your ribs will soak up all the delicious flavors — this quick step sets the tone for the entire dish.

Step 2: Prep and Cut the Ribs

Pat your rack of ribs dry. Use a sharp knife to cut the ribs into sections by slicing between every two bones. Cutting them ahead of time helps the marinade reach all that meaty surface area and makes serving so much easier later.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Place the cut ribs directly into your trusty 8-quart slow cooker. Pour all of that wonderful marinade over the top, tossing gently to coat each rib. Set your slow cooker to low and let the magic happen for 6 hours — your house will start smelling incredible and the ribs will become supremely tender.

Step 4: Broil for Caramelization

Once the ribs are meltingly tender, gently lift them onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. This next step is what transforms them from “great” to “absolutely unforgettable.”

Step 5: Thicken the Glaze

With the ribs out, turn the slow cooker to high. Stir the cornstarch into the remaining marinade, whisking to remove lumps. Let it bubble for 2 to 3 minutes until you have a rich, sticky glaze that’s ready to coat everything in sight.

Step 6: Baste and Broil

Spoon or brush the thickened glaze all over the ribs, making sure every nook and cranny is covered. Slide the tray under your oven’s broiler and watch closely for 5 to 6 minutes: the ribs should develop a glossy, caramelized crust — the signature finish for this Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle your masterpiece with sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions right before serving. These finishing touches add color, freshness, and a little crunch to complement the tender ribs.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe

Garnishes

For a splash of color and a touch of freshness, nothing beats a flurry of toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions scattered generously over the glazed ribs. Want extra flair? A sprinkle of chopped cilantro or a few sliced red chilies will brighten every plate.

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy white rice to soak up the extra sauce. Lightly steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a crisp Asian cucumber salad add crunch and color, while simple stir-fried vegetables round out the meal with balance and nutrition.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the ribs in a shallow platter and drizzle any extra glaze over top for dramatic effect. For a party, skewer rib sections for easy pick-up, or pile them high on a bed of shredded lettuce with tiny dipping bowls of extra glaze or chili sauce on the side. A sprinkle of edible flowers or microgreens turns humble ribs into an elegant centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store any remaining ribs and extra glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The glaze tends to thicken and deepen in flavor, making day-two ribs arguably even tastier!

Freezing

You can freeze these cooked ribs for up to three months. Allow the ribs to cool completely, separate them with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking, and store in a tightly sealed freezer bag or container. Freeze any extra sauce in a separate container if you’d like to keep it for quick reheating.

Reheating

Reheat ribs gently in a foil-covered baking dish at 300°F until warmed through, about 15–20 minutes. For best results, brush on extra glaze before reheating and finish without the foil for the last few minutes to revive that lovely caramelization. The microwave works too, but delivers less of the perfect sticky exterior.

FAQs

Can I use baby back ribs instead of St. Louis style ribs?

Absolutely! Baby back ribs are a bit leaner and smaller, so they may cook slightly faster. Keep an eye on them after about 5 hours in the slow cooker to ensure they don’t overcook. The flavor profile and texture will still shine in this Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe.

Is red food coloring necessary?

Nope! The food coloring is strictly optional and purely for aesthetics if you want that classic rosy-red Chinese rib look. Leave it out for a delicious, natural brown glaze — the taste stays the same.

Can I prep these ribs the night before?

You sure can. Combine the marinade and ribs in your slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, set up your slow cooker as directed; marinating overnight actually deepens the flavor, making the final dish even more flavorful.

How spicy is the final result?

The heat level in this Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe is fairly mild, with just enough red pepper flakes for a gentle kick. If you like things spicier, up the amount to your liking or add some fresh chilies as a garnish.

What if I don’t have hoisin sauce?

Hoisin sauce is key for that uniquely sweet-savory taste, but in a pinch, you can mix equal parts soy sauce and peanut butter, and add a drizzle of honey to get close. The result will differ slightly, but your ribs will still be a crowd-pleaser.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about slow-cooked, sticky-sweet, and savory ribs — and this Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe captures all of that magic with minimal effort and maximum reward. Whether for a cozy family dinner or an impressive party plate, these ribs are guaranteed to draw smiles and requests for seconds. Give it a try and let this be the recipe that earns you plenty of new fans, right from the first delicious bite!

Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 27 reviews

Author: Chloe
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Slow Cooker Chinese Spare Ribs are a delicious combination of sweet, savory, and sticky flavors. Tender ribs are cooked low and slow in a flavorful marinade, then finished under the broiler for a caramelized glaze. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or weekend gathering.

Instructions

Mix the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, five spice blend, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, and red food coloring (if using).
Cut the Ribs: Cut the ribs between the bones, dividing into individual pieces.
Cook in Slow Cooker: Place ribs and marinade in a slow cooker, cook on low for 6 hours.
Broil the Ribs: Remove ribs, thicken the sauce with cornstarch in the slow cooker, then broil ribs for 5-6 minutes until caramelized.
Glaze and Serve: Baste ribs with the thickened marinade, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Notes

You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
For a richer color, use red food coloring; it’s optional but adds to the visual appeal.
Make sure to monitor the broiling closely to prevent burning the glaze.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker, Broil
Cuisine: Chinese