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    Home » Recipes » Pork Recipes

    Easy Slow Cooker Chinese Sticky Ribs

    Published: Jul 16, 2019 · Modified: Oct 1, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    191 shares
    • Facebook23
    • Yummly
    5 from 22 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Every time I use my slow cooker I swear that I’ll start using it more often! And when I cook up deliciousness like these amazing Tangerine Sticky Ribs it makes even more of a believer of slow cooking.

    racks of Chinese sticky ribs on a white platter

    The recipe is really simple and by stocking up on a few Asian Cooking Ingredients, you’ll have everything you need for a delicious weeknight splurge.

    stack of double cut ribs on greens on a white plate

    Cooking Asian-style meals in your home is all about having the right ingredients on hand. Once your pantry is stocked you’ll find many recipes you’ll enjoy making for your family and friends. 

    Ingredients to make Chinese Sticky Ribs

    ingredients to make chinese sticky ribs

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make slow cooker Chinese Sticky Ribs. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    How to make Slow Cooker Chinese Sticky Ribs

    four images showing how to make slow cooker chinese sticky ribs

    Once you’ve got all your ingredients you can begin adding them to your slow cooker. Using your slow cooker to make delicious meals couldn’t be easier.

    Enjoy your day while your slow cooker does all the work!

    2 images showing the sticky sauce before an after the reduction of the sauce

    If you’re looking for a traditional rib recipe, my baby back ribs on the grill are easy to make and delicious!

    rack of chinese sticky ribs on a white platter

    When the timer goes off, you only have one step to complete your dinner.

    Take all the liquid from the slow cooker and place it in a saucepan. Let the liquid reduce by 50% or until it’s thick enough to be used as a sauce for the ribs.

    Brush the sauce on the ribs and serve up deliciousness to your guests. If you’d like the ribs a little crisper,  give them a few minutes under the broiler. Or finish your Tangerine Sticky Ribs off on the grill.

    If you’re not fond of ribs or want to change this recipe up, try it with chicken. 

    Recipe FAQ’s

    What are Chinese spare ribs called?

    Pork spare ribs are called Paigu in Chinese. They are especially popular in Chinese and American Chinese cuisine.

    What’s the shortcut to making the sticky ribs sauce?

    If you don’t want to buy all the Asian seasonings and sauces, you can make your own version of an Asian-style barbecue sauce for the ribs by mixing sweet and sour sauce or sweet chili sauce with your favorite barbecue sauce.

    More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Easy Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs
    • The Best Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Ribs
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Merlot
    • Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs with a Red Wine-Coffee Sauce

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    rack of chinese sticky ribs on a white platter
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 22 votes

    Chinese Sticky Ribs

    You'll love the flavor combination of these Slow Cooker Style, Chinese Sticky Ribs! These ribs are fall off the bone tender and bursting with flavor.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time6 hrs
    Total Time6 hrs 10 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American, Chinese
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 477kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds rack baby back pork ribs
    • 2 tangerines coarsely chopped
    • 1 cup tangerine juice
    • 1 cup orange blossom honey
    • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
    • ¼ cup toasted sesame oil
    • 1 clove large garlic coarsely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon tangerine zest
    • 1 knob fresh ginger peeled and coarsely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns
    • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
    • 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or your favorite chili pepper sauce
    • 2 tablespoons chopped tangerine peel for garnish
    • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or cilantro for ganish
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    Instructions

    • Cut baby back ribs into portions that will fit into your slow cooker.
    • Add the sesame oil, garlic, ginger, peppercorns and tangerine zest to the bottom of your slow cooker.
    • Place ribs on top of seasonings
    • Add tangerine juice, honey, hoisin, chili pepper sauce and five spice powder to slow cooker pouring over ribs. Don’t worry it will all come together.
    • Set timer for 4 hours on fast or 6-7 hours on slow. Ribs should be cooked till tender, not falling off the bone.
    • Remove liquid from slow cooker when the time goes off and place in a small saucepan.
    • Allow liquid to reduce by half, or until nicely thickened. You want the sauce to seriously cling to the ribs.
    • Brush generous amounts of sauce on ribs, serve and enjoy!
    • * you can place them in the broiler for a few minutes if you like, but I don’t think they need it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 92g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 85g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 33.7mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. rika

      August 14, 2019 at 12:53 am

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! I love ribs! This is the perfect game day food.

      Reply
    2. Natalie

      July 22, 2019 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow!!! That just seriously made me drool. I must forward this recipe to my hubs. He’s the man behind the BBQ. Can’t wait him to make us this. Looks sooo delicious and full of flavor.

      Reply
    3. Karyl Henry

      July 21, 2019 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      Having all the ingredients ready and handy is SUCH a time saver! Sometimes I get rushed and don’t do it, and totally regret it later. I’ve never thought to make ribs with tangerine as the base of the sauce, but it sounds wonderful to use the deeper citrus flavor of the tangerine

      Reply
    4. Jenna

      July 21, 2019 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I love making Asian inspired meals at home. We were just saying how we need to make ribs in our slow cooker or instant pot before the end of summer. We’ll definitely give yours a try!

      Reply
    5. Kelly Anthony

      July 21, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      What a great way to use my slow cooker. My family is going to gobble up these tangerine sticky ribs.

      Reply
    6. Jacqueline Debono

      July 21, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars
      I’m like you every time I use my slow cooker I tell myself I should use it more! This looks like a great recipe to make in it! I love asian flavours especially with ribs!

      Reply
    7. Amy

      July 21, 2019 at 12:58 pm

      Tangerine on ribs? Yessss! This sounds so refreshing for the hot, summer weather we’re having. I can’t wait to cook this up!

      Reply
    8. Anne Lawton

      July 21, 2019 at 11:50 am

      5 stars
      You can’t beat a big plate of sticky ribs in the summer. I love that they are made in the slow cooker and those tangerine pieces must add a ton of fresh flavor. On my list to make real soon

      Reply
    9. Kate

      July 20, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe looks awesome! I love the idea of just adding whole tangerine pieces in the crock pot I’m sure that adds an amazing flavor. Can’t wait to try this one!

      Reply
    10. Robotance

      July 19, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so yummy! My family surely love this recipe, thank you so much for posting this..

      Reply
    11. Anna

      July 19, 2019 at 10:29 am

      5 stars
      I’m always amazed by the things you can make in a slow cooker. These ribs look utterly delicious, especially with that sticky, dark glaze on top! It would go down a treat in our house for sure, perfect meal to make for any gatherings with family or friends!

      Reply
    12. Beth

      July 19, 2019 at 10:09 am

      These ribs look delicious! Summer is the perfect time to be using a slow cooker!

      Reply
    13. Swathi

      July 19, 2019 at 12:34 am

      5 stars
      This tangerine sticky ribs looks yum. Love the flavor infused in this sticky ribs I need to try ti.

      Reply
    14. Monica Y

      July 18, 2019 at 7:26 pm

      I love Ribs and this recipe not only looks delicious but also looks easy to make, yummy, I cannot wait to try it

      Reply
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