Tender Honey-Garlic Slow-Cooked Ribs

Discover the magic of slow cooking with our Tender Honey-Garlic Slow-Cooked Ribs recipe, a dish that promises not only to satisfy your cravings but also to transform your mealtime into a celebration of flavors. Slow cooking has the remarkable ability to enhance the natural flavors of ingredients, melding them together in a symphony of taste that’s both complex and comforting. This recipe takes advantage of this method, combining the rich sweetness of honey, the umami depth of soy sauce, and a blend of spices that bring warmth and a gentle kick, creating a dish that’s irresistibly tender and bursting with flavor.

Designed for ease and convenience, this recipe requires minimal preparation, making it perfect for busy weekdays or relaxing weekends. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, the detailed instructions ensure a foolproof path to a delectable dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Let’s embark on this culinary journey together, where the slow cooker does most of the work, and you get to enjoy the rewards—a plate of ribs so tender they fall off the bone, coated in a sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce that’s truly unforgettable.

Ingredients

• 3.5 to 4 pounds of ribs

For the Spice Mix:

• 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of chili powder
• 2 teaspoons of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Honey-Garlic Sauce:

• 1 cup of honey
• 4 tablespoons of soy sauce
• ½ cup of sweet chili sauce
• 6 large cloves of garlic, minced
• ½ tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

Additional:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Begin by preparing your ribs: remove the membrane from the back of the ribs with a knife and paper towel for better grip. Dry the ribs with paper towels and cut them in half to ensure they fit into your slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix these spices thoroughly to create your rub.
3. Apply the spice mix liberally on both sides of each rib section, ensuring they are well-coated.
4. For the honey-garlic sauce, whisk together honey, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and Dijon mustard in a separate bowl until the mixture is homogeneous.
5. Layer the bottom of your slow cooker with the thinly sliced onions. Place one half of the seasoned ribs on top of the onions.
6. Pour half of the prepared honey-garlic sauce over the first layer of ribs, making sure they are nicely covered.
7. Add the second half of the ribs to the slow cooker and drench them with the remaining sauce, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.
8. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for about 6 hours. The ribs should be tender and easily fall off the bone when they’re done.

Serve these deliciously tender ribs with your favorite side dishes for a meal that’s sure to delight your family and friends. Enjoy the melding of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that make these slow-cooked ribs a memorable dish.