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Crockpot Pork Ribs with Honey Balsamic Glaze

These slow cooker Honey Balsamic Ribs are fall-off-the-bone delicious! The slow cooker makes them incredibly tender and moist, and the honey balsamic glaze just doesn't need an explanation. Does it?? They are SO easy to make!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Total Time
6 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 735 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the ribs
  • 1 rack spare ribs full rack of spare or back ribs, about 2 to 3 lbs
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 large lemon
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 6 cloves garlic smashed and minced
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup water
For the glaze
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker that has not been turned on, add the ribs. Cut and layer as necessary to get them to fit.
  2. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoons dijon mustard, 6 cloves minced garlic, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  3. Use your hands to rub the mixture into the ribs, top and bottom and all over.
  4. Place the lid on the turned off crockpot and let the ribs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  5.  After 30 minutes, add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the slow cooker. Try not to wash the rub off of the ribs, add the water near the edge.
  6. Turn the crock pot on and turn the heat to low. Cook for 5-6 hours. The meat should be tender and shred easily with a fork. The internal temperature should have reached 190-200 degrees F.
  7. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Transfer the ribs to the baking sheet.
  8. Make the glaze: Pour 1 and 1/4 cups of the cooking juices from the crock pot into a small saucepan and set over medium high heat. Add 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup honey. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer and bubble actively for 6-8 minutes, until the glaze has thickened and looks syrupy. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  9. Preheat your broiler to high heat and move the oven rack to the top, so that it's just a few inches away from the heat source.
  10. Brush some of the glaze over the ribs. Broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes. Brush the ribs again with the glaze, rotate the pan, and return to the broiler. Broil for another 2-3 minutes. Don't walk away! Set a timer! Can you imagine burning your ribs at this point after waiting this long??? All the tears.
  11. Serve ribs hot with the extra glaze!
  12. I served these with My Favorite Coleslaw and Literally the Best Mac and Cheese I’ve Ever Had. Soooo good.

Notes

  • Make sure to use fresh lemon juice, not the bottled stuff! Makes a big difference!
  • This recipe is from my friend Natalie's new cookbook, The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking. Natalie's blog is called Perry's Plate, and it's awesome!

Nutrition Information

Calories 735kcal (37%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 36g (72%) Fat 53g (82%) Saturated Fat 17g (85%) Polyunsaturated Fat 9g Monounsaturated Fat 19g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 182mg (61%) Potassium 631mg (18%) Fiber 0.5g (2%) Sugar 22g (44%) Vitamin A 12IU (0%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 61mg (6%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 735

% Daily Value*

Calories 735kcal 37%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 36g 72%
Fat 53g 82%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9g 53%
Monounsaturated Fat 19g 95%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 182mg 61%
Potassium 631mg 13%
Fiber 0.5g 2%
Sugar 22g 44%
Vitamin A 12IU 0%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 61mg 6%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.