Tender Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs Recipe

Finger-Licking Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs Recipe

Slow cooker glazed ribs elevate mundane dinners into a flavor-packed sensation that will have everyone craving seconds.

These melt-in-your-mouth delicacies promise a culinary journey of pure indulgence.

Tender meat cascading off the bone whispers comfort and nostalgia with every bite.

Robust marinades and gentle simmering transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary feast.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness, allowing you to savor precious moments with family.

The secret lies in patient, low-temperature cooking that infuses each morsel with complex, tantalizing seasonings.

Generations will rally around this show-stopping dish that turns an average evening into an unforgettable dining experience.

Ways to Serve Sticky-Glazed Ribs Just Right

  • Pair with Zesty Sidekicks: Complement the ribs with tangy coleslaw, creamy potato salad, or grilled corn on the cob to balance the rich, saucy meat.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: Arrange ribs on a large wooden cutting board, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, and serve family-style for an impressive spread.
  • Build a Comfort Meal Combo: Add fluffy buttermilk biscuits, baked beans, or crispy mac and cheese as hearty accompaniments that soak up the delicious glaze.
  • Create Leftover Magic: Transform extra ribs into pulled meat sandwiches, tacos, or chop and mix into a hearty weekend breakfast hash for a delicious next-day meal.

How to Save and Store Glazed Ribs

  • Preserve Flavor Brilliance: Store leftover ribs in airtight containers, separating meat from sauce to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Cool ribs completely before storing, placing in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth and preserve quality.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Revive refrigerated ribs by warming gently in the oven at 275°F, covered with foil, adding a splash of broth to prevent drying and restore moisture.
  • Extended Storage Solution: Freeze glazed ribs in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor intensity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 580 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything You Need for Glazed Ribs in the Slow Cooker

For Preparation Tools:
  • Sharp Kitchen Knife: Choose a high-quality blade with comfortable grip for precise cutting.
  • Cutting Board: Select a sturdy, non-slip surface to ensure safe meat preparation.
For Meat Base:
  • Rib Rack: Pick fresh, well-marbled pork ribs with consistent meat distribution.
For Aromatic Enhancers:
  • Onion, Garlic Cloves: Select firm, unblemished produce with vibrant color and no sprouting.
For Seasoning Elements:
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground spices for maximum flavor intensity.
For Glaze Components:
  • Plum Preserves, Ketchup, Barbecue Sauce, Hot Sauce: Choose premium quality sauces with balanced flavor profiles and minimal artificial ingredients.

Equipment Picks for Glazed Rib Cooking

  • Sharp kitchen knife: Perfect for cleanly slicing ribs into slow cooker-friendly sections.
  • Cutting board: Sturdy surface for precise and safe rib preparation.
  • Measuring spoons: Great for accurate seasoning and sauce portioning.
  • Slow cooker: Essential for tender, fall-off-the-bone meat cooking.
  • Mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking together the tangy, flavorful glaze.
  • Whisk: Helps blend glaze ingredients into a smooth, consistent sauce.
  • Tongs: Convenient for handling hot ribs and evenly coating with glaze.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring and spreading glaze.

How to Slow Cook the Best Glazed Ribs

How to Slow Cook the Best Glazed Ribs
  • Slice and Arrange Ribs

Grab a sharp knife and cutting board. Carefully slice the full rib rack into sections that’ll comfortably fit your slow cooker. Spread the pieces evenly in the ceramic pot to ensure uniform cooking.

  • Build Flavor Foundation

Sprinkle chopped onions and crushed garlic across the ribs. These aromatic warriors will infuse incredible depth and richness into the meat during the slow cooking process.

  • Season and Spice

Generously coat every inch of the ribs with salt and pepper. Don’t hold back – this is your chance to create a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance.

  • Slow Cook and Transform

Set your slow cooker to low heat and let the magic happen. Eight hours of gentle cooking will transform tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

  • Create Mouthwatering Glaze

Whisk together plum preserves, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and a splash of hot sauce in a bowl. This magical mixture will add a tangy, sweet kick that elevates the ribs from good to absolutely incredible.

  • Finish and Serve

Using tongs, lovingly coat the ribs with the prepared glaze. Let them sit for a quick 20 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle and marry. Serve hot and watch as everyone dives in with pure excitement.

Tips and Sweet Sauce Ideas for Glazed Ribs

  • Elevate Cooking Technique: Create extra tenderness by letting ribs rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before slow cooking, which helps meat absorb seasonings more effectively.
  • Smart Meat Selection: Choose pork spare ribs or baby back ribs with consistent marbling, ensuring juicy results and preventing dry texture during long cooking periods.
  • Quick Glaze Hack: Broil glazed ribs for 3-4 minutes after slow cooking to create caramelized edges and add delightful crispy exterior while maintaining inner moisture.
  • Flavor Customization: Experiment with different sauce combinations like adding bourbon, maple syrup, or apple cider vinegar to personalize the glaze and create unique taste profiles that match your preference.
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Tender Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs Recipe

Tender Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs Recipe


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Rich, tangy glazed ribs from the Pioneer Woman slow cooker method guarantee succulent meat that falls off the bone. Succulent pork ribs with a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors will satisfy you completely.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 packages pork loin back ribs (2.5 to 3 lbs / 1.1 to 1.4 kg each)
  • 1 lg onion, thinly sliced
  • 12 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 cup plum preserves
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • Several dashes hot sauce
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Rack Preparation: Slice each rib rack in half to fit comfortably in the slow cooker, arranging pieces evenly for consistent cooking.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: Distribute thin onion slices and peeled garlic cloves around and over the ribs, creating a flavor-enhancing base that will permeate the meat during cooking.
  3. Seasoning Technique: Thoroughly coat ribs with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration across all surfaces.
  4. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and set slow cooker to low heat, allowing ribs to transform into tender perfection over 8 hours, breaking down connective tissues and developing rich, deep flavors.
  5. Sauce Creation: Whisk plum preserves, tomato ketchup, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce in a mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, well-integrated glaze with balanced sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
  6. Glazing Finale: Carefully extract ribs from cooking liquid, drain excess moisture, then gently coat with prepared sauce using tongs to ensure uniform coverage. Return to slow cooker for an additional 20 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and deeply infuse the meat with its complex flavor profile.

Notes

  • Slice Smartly: Cut ribs in half to fit slow cooker perfectly, preventing overcrowding and ensuring even cooking throughout.
  • Build Flavor Foundation: Layer thin onion and garlic slices beneath ribs to create a powerful aromatic base that deeply penetrates the meat.
  • Season Thoroughly: Generously apply kosher salt and black pepper across entire rib surface, creating a robust seasoning that enhances natural meat flavors.
  • Sauce Application Technique: Gently coat ribs with prepared sauce using tongs, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor absorption and glossy finish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 40 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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