🍖🍊🍯 Slow Cooker Orange Honey Pork Ribs
Tender bone-in pork ribs coated in a sweet, glossy orange-honey glaze, served over fluffy white rice. Just five main ingredients! 🤤✨
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: Approximately 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH, plus reducing the glaze and an optional brief broil
🍽 Servings: 4
🛒 Ingredients
- 3 lb (1.36 kg) pork baby back ribs, divided into TWO large rack sections
- 1 cup (240 ml) fresh orange juice
- ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated into a smooth paste
- ⅓ cup (80 ml / 113 g) honey
For serving: - Cooked white rice
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ PREPARE THE RIBS
Remove the thin membrane from the underside of the ribs if still attached. Keep the ribs in two large rack sections, with the individual ribs connected.
2️⃣ ADD THE RIBS
Place both sections inside a 6-quart slow cooker, gently curving them to fit if necessary.
3️⃣ ADD THE ORANGE JUICE
Pour the orange juice over and around the ribs.
4️⃣ ADD THE SOY SAUCE AND GARLIC
Pour in the low-sodium soy sauce, then add the smooth garlic paste.
5️⃣ ADD THE HONEY
Drizzle the honey over both rib sections.
6️⃣ SLOW COOK
Cover and cook on LOW for approximately 8 hours or HIGH for approximately 4 hours, until the meat is tender and begins pulling back from the bones. Check gently near the end so the racks remain intact enough to lift and portion. Cooking time varies by slow cooker.
7️⃣ REDUCE THE GLAZE
Carefully transfer the cooked ribs to a tray. Fine-strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan and skim off excess surface fat. Bring to a boil, then simmer briskly, stirring regularly, until glossy and thick enough to coat the ribs while remaining pourable.
8️⃣ GLAZE AND SERVE
Brush the ribs generously with the reduced glaze. For caramelized edges, briefly broil on a broiler-safe metal tray, watching constantly to prevent burning. Cut between the existing bones into elongated serving portions. Arrange over white rice and spoon extra glaze over the ribs and rice.
💡 Tip:
Support the cooked racks from underneath with two wide utensils when lifting them. This helps keep the tender meat attached to the bones until serving.
Slow Cooker Orange Honey Pork Ribs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
- 3–4 pounds pork ribs
- ½ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the ribs
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if it is still attached. Cut the ribs into sections that fit comfortably in your slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Make the orange-honey sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, honey, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, orange zest, and apple cider vinegar until well combined.
3. Add everything to the slow cooker
Place the ribs inside the slow cooker and pour the orange-honey mixture over them. Turn the ribs to coat them evenly with the sauce.
4. Slow cook until tender
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the pork is tender and cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on the cut and thickness of the ribs.
5. Thicken the glaze
Carefully transfer the ribs to a baking sheet. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer for several minutes until slightly thickened. Brush the glaze generously over the ribs.
6. Caramelize for extra flavor
For a sticky, caramelized finish, broil the ribs in the oven for 3–5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delicious orange-honey ribs with roasted potatoes, steamed green beans, creamy mashed potatoes, or fluffy rice. Add fresh orange slices and chopped parsley for a beautiful finishing touch.
Tips for the Best Ribs
- Use fresh orange juice for a brighter citrus flavor.
- Add extra honey if you prefer a sweeter glaze.
- Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid too often.
- For food safety, cook pork ribs to at least 145°F (63°C) and allow a 3-minute rest; ribs cooked until very tender generally reach a higher temperature.
Enjoy your sticky, sweet, citrusy slow cooker ribs! 🍊🍖