Easy Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs Recipe: Fall-Apart Goodness

Slow cooker glazed ribs transform ordinary weeknight dinners into mouth-watering culinary adventures that spark family conversations.

Rich, tender meat falling off the bone represents comfort food at its finest.

Succulent proteins infused with complex seasonings promise a satisfying meal that lingers in memory.

The magic happens when low-and-slow cooking techniques meld robust flavors into an irresistible dish.

Minimal preparation ensures maximum enjoyment, letting you spend more time with loved ones.

Perfectly balanced ingredients create a symphony of taste that elevates home cooking to restaurant-quality standards.

Complex yet approachable, these ribs deliver a sensory experience that connects generations around the dinner table: get ready to impress.

Why Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs Are a Sweet and Savory Winner

• Create Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tenderness: Slow cooking for 8 hours transforms tough meat into incredibly soft, fall-apart ribs that practically dissolve on your tongue with zero effort required.
• Unlock Effortless Flavor Explosion: The combination of plum preserves, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce creates a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy glaze that coats every inch of the ribs without complicated cooking techniques.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Satisfaction: This recipe requires just a few simple steps – chop, season, and let the slow cooker do the hard work, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality results with minimal kitchen time.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Works perfectly for casual family dinners, game day gatherings, or weekend barbecue-style meals that will impress everyone from kids to serious food lovers without stress or complicated preparation.

What You’ll Need for Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs

• Pork Ribs: Tender, meaty cut perfect for slow cooking. Choose fresh, well-trimmed racks with good marbling for maximum flavor.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide deep, savory base notes and enhance overall dish complexity. Fresh ingredients are key for best taste.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for building foundational flavor. Freshly ground black pepper offers more robust taste.

• Plum Preserves, Ketchup, Barbecue Sauce: Create a sweet, tangy, and rich glaze. Look for high-quality preserves with real fruit content.
• Hot Sauce: Adds subtle heat and depth to the sauce. Adjust amount based on personal spice preference.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs

Step 1: Prepare Rib Rack

Slice the full rack of ribs into 2-3 sections that easily fit inside your slow cooker. Gently place the rib pieces into the ceramic pot, spreading them out for even cooking.

• Sharp kitchen knife
• Cutting board

Step 2: Layer Flavor Enhancers

Scatter thinly sliced onions and crushed garlic cloves across and around the ribs. These aromatics will infuse deep, rich flavors during cooking.

• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 4-5 fresh garlic cloves, peeled

Step 3: Season Generously

Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over every surface of the ribs. Ensure complete coverage for maximum taste development.

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat. Allow ribs to cook undisturbed for 8 hours, creating incredibly tender meat.

Step 5: Remove Cooking Liquid

Carefully drain the accumulated liquid from the slow cooker, preserving the garlic and onion pieces.

Step 6: Create Tangy Glaze

In a mixing bowl, whisk together plum preserves, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce until smooth and well combined.

• Plum preserves
• Ketchup
• Barbecue sauce
• 2-3 dashes hot sauce

Step 7: Coat and Finish

Use tongs to gently coat ribs with the prepared glaze. Cover and keep warm for an additional 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs

• Broil for Crunch: Create a crispy exterior by placing ribs under the broiler for 3-5 minutes after slow cooking.
• Boost Aromatic Intensity: Crush fresh garlic cloves directly into the sauce for a more vibrant, robust flavor profile.
• Customize Heat Levels: Dial up the spiciness by incorporating extra hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
• Maximize Flavor Depth: Let ribs bathe overnight in your favorite marinade to intensify taste and tenderness.
• Verify Meat Safety: Pierce ribs with a meat thermometer to confirm they've reached the safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs

• Cool Down: Transfer ribs to a shallow, wide container to help them chill faster and prevent bacterial growth. Ensure ribs are completely covered in their delicious glaze to lock in moisture and flavor.
• Refrigerator Storage: Seal ribs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain peak freshness. Keep in the coldest part of the fridge, typically the back shelf, where temperature remains most consistent.
• Freezer Preservation: Wrap individual portions in heavy-duty aluminum foil, creating a tight seal that prevents freezer burn. Slip wrapped ribs into labeled freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to protect meat quality. Date the package to track storage time accurately.

Creative Twists on Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs

• Asian-Inspired Ribs: Swap the barbecue sauce with hoisin sauce, add soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil for a rich, umami-packed flavor profile that transforms the classic recipe into an Asian-inspired dish.
• Spicy Chipotle Ribs: Replace the plum preserves with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, mix in some honey and lime juice to create a smoky, spicy glaze that brings intense heat and tangy notes to the ribs.
• Caribbean Jerk Ribs: Incorporate Jamaican jerk seasoning, coconut milk, and a splash of rum into the sauce mixture, creating a tropical and bold flavor combination that transports your taste buds to the Caribbean islands.
• Apple Bourbon Ribs: Use apple butter instead of plum preserves, blend in bourbon whiskey, and add a touch of apple cider vinegar to develop a rich, sweet, and slightly boozy glaze that complements the tender meat perfectly.

Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs: A Sticky, Sweet Delight

Slow cooker glazed ribs become pure comfort on a plate, transforming ordinary weeknight dinners into memorable culinary experiences.

Pioneer Woman’s recipe captures simplicity and deep flavor profiles with minimal kitchen effort.

Ribs bathed in plum preserve glaze invite palates to explore rich, tangy dimensions of classic American cuisine.

Savory onions and garlic infuse each tender bite with aromatic complexity that elevates home cooking.

Barbecue sauce creates a glossy finish that makes these ribs irresistible centerpiece dishes for family gatherings.

Grab your ingredients, unleash your inner chef, and watch how you can create restaurant-quality magic right in your kitchen – scroll, share, comment, and inspire fellow cooking enthusiasts with this mouthwatering masterpiece!

Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Glazed Ribs Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent ribs from Pioneer Woman’s kitchen shine with a sweet and tangy glaze that melts in your mouth. Slow-cooked perfection promises fork-tender meat dripping with irresistible flavor that draws friends and family straight to the dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 packages of pork loin back ribs (2.5 to 3 pounds each / 1.1 to 1.4 kilograms each)

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 12 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Sauces and Preserves:

• 1 cup plum preserves
• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• Several dashes of hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Prepare the ribs by slicing each rack in half to fit comfortably in the slow cooker. Arrange the rib pieces evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
2. Layer thin slices of onion and peeled garlic cloves over and around the ribs, creating an aromatic base that will infuse the meat with deep, rich flavors.
3. Generously season the ribs with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, thoroughly coating all surfaces to build a robust flavor profile.
4. Secure the slow cooker lid and set the temperature to low heat. Allow the ribs to cook undisturbed for 8 hours (480 minutes), which will transform the meat into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
5. Carefully remove the ribs from the cooking liquid, taking care to retain the softened garlic and onion pieces. Drain excess liquid to concentrate the meaty essence.
6. Create the signature sauce by whisking together plum preserves, tomato ketchup, smoky barbecue sauce, and a few dashes of hot sauce in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
7. Gently coat the ribs with the prepared sauce using tongs, ensuring an even distribution of the glossy, tangy mixture. Return the ribs to the slow cooker and let them rest for an additional 20 minutes to absorb the sauce’s flavors before serving.

Notes

• Minimal hands-on time delivers restaurant-quality ribs with maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Customizable sauce recipe lets home cooks experiment with personal taste preferences.
• Breaking down tough meat fibers happens through patient eight-hour slow cooking technique.
• Balancing sweet plum preserves with tangy hot sauce creates a complex flavor profile.
• Gentle sauce coating ensures every succulent bite bursts with rich, harmonious taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg