Description
This Crockpot Ribs Recipe offers tender, flavorful pork spare ribs cooked low and slow in a slow cooker with a rich blend of Pepsi, chili sauce, molasses, and apple cider vinegar. Finished in the oven for a slightly crisp, caramelized glaze, this recipe is perfect for an easy, hands-off meal with a delicious barbecue twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 racks of pork spare ribs
Vegetables
- 1 medium white onion, sliced
Liquids & Sauces
- 2 cups Pepsi
- 1 cup chili sauce
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Seasonings
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the pork spare ribs by sliding a knife under the membrane at the small end and using a paper towel to grip and pull it off. This helps make the ribs more tender and allows flavors to penetrate better.
- Cut the ribs into sections: Slice each rack of ribs into 4 equal sections. This makes them easier to fit and cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Layer the ingredients in the crockpot: Place the sliced onion at the bottom of a large slow cooker, then arrange the ribs on top. Pour the Pepsi evenly over the ribs to add sweetness and moisture.
- Mix and add the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the chili sauce, molasses, and apple cider vinegar until well combined. Pour this mixture over the ribs to infuse tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors.
- Cook in slow cooker: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the ribs are tender and easily pull away from the bone.
- Preheat the oven: When ribs are done in the crockpot, preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) to prepare for finishing.
- Bake the ribs: Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet. Brush with extra barbecue sauce if desired. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the sauce bubbles slightly and edges look crisp for an enhanced texture and flavor.
Notes
- For easier membrane removal, use a paper towel to grip it as it can be slippery.
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of molasses or using diet soda if preferred.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker. Check ribs for tenderness before finishing in the oven.
- For extra smokiness, add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to the sauce mixture.
- The nutritional values are estimates per single rib piece when the two racks are cut into 8 pieces total.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rib piece (approx. 1/8 of 2 racks)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
