Easy Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Ribs And Slaw Recipe That Wows

Pioneer Woman’s slow cooker ribs and slaw transforms ordinary weeknight meals into a mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Tender, fall-apart meat becomes the star of this comforting dish that promises incredible flavor and minimal kitchen effort.

The combination of savory and tangy ingredients creates a remarkable harmony that makes taste buds dance with excitement.

slow cooking allows complex flavors to develop and intensify, resulting in meat so soft it practically melts on your fork.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of rich, smoky undertones and bright, crisp coleslaw that adds textural contrast.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its simplicity and impressive results that look like they spent hours in the kitchen.

With just a few strategic ingredients and some patience, you can elevate a basic meal into something truly spectacular: dinner is served.

Why Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Ribs and Slaw Will Be Your New Favorite Combo

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic: These slow-cooked ribs transform tough meat into incredibly tender, fall-apart goodness that requires zero knife work and delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: The genius sauce-making process creates a glossy, sticky coating that perfectly balances sweet honey, tangy rice vinegar, and rich soy sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with complex, restaurant-quality taste.
• Effortless Gourmet Meal: This recipe turns a seemingly complicated dish into an accessible, hands-off cooking experience that looks and tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want impressive results without stress.
• Fresh Sidekick Bonus: The zesty coleslaw provides a bright, crunchy counterpoint to the rich, succulent ribs, creating a complete meal with contrasting textures and a refreshing finish that cuts through the meat's richness.

Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Ribs and Slaw

• Pork Ribs: Tender, meaty cut that forms the main protein of the dish. Choose well-marbled ribs for maximum flavor and juiciness.

• Garlic, Ginger: Provide deep, aromatic base notes to the meat. Fresh ingredients are key for maximum flavor intensity.
• Honey, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar: Create a sweet, tangy, umami sauce for coating the ribs. Look for high-quality, authentic Asian-style condiments.

• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to a glossy, clingy consistency. Use cold water to prevent lumps when mixing.

• Coleslaw Mix: Provides crisp, fresh base for the side dish. Pre-shredded mixes save time and ensure consistent texture.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp, crunchy element to the slaw. Thinly slice for best integration.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh, herbal brightness to the slaw. Choose vibrant green leaves with no wilting.

• Mayonnaise: Creates creamy base for slaw dressing. Full-fat version provides best flavor and texture.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors in both ribs and slaw.

How to Prepare Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Ribs and Slaw

Step 1: Prep the Slow Cooker Base

Sprinkle chopped garlic and ginger at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Cut ribs in half and place them bone-side down on top of the aromatics.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Ribs

Set slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours until ribs are tender and falling off the bone.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Glaze

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar

Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Thicken Sauce Perfectly

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Whisk into boiling sauce and cook for 1 minute until sauce becomes glossy and slightly thick.

Step 5: Coat Ribs with Delicious Glaze

Set aside of sauce for slaw. Toss remaining sauce with ribs in skillet until completely coated.

Step 6: Whip Up Creamy Slaw Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Reserved sauce

Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Assemble Fresh Slaw

• 1 bag coleslaw mix
• 1/2 sliced red onion
• Chopped cilantro

Toss until everything is evenly coated. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Cut ribs into individual portions. Place saucy ribs on plate alongside crisp, tangy slaw. Enjoy your mouthwatering meal!

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Ribs and Slaw

• Customize Sauce Sweetness: Tweak honey levels to match your personal flavor preference perfectly.
• Prevent Rib Crowding: Carefully arrange ribs side by side for consistent, even cooking throughout.
• Preserve Slaw Crunch: Mix dressing into coleslaw moments before plating to keep vegetables crisp and vibrant.
• Rescue Thick Sauce: Splash a bit of water to thin out overly concentrated barbecue sauce instantly.
• Elevate Presentation: Scatter fresh cilantro or toasted sesame seeds on top for a restaurant-worthy finishing touch.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Ribs and Slaw

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect ribs from freezer burn and preserve flavor by vacuum sealing. Remove all air from the packaging, which prevents moisture loss and maintains meat quality for up to 6 months.
• Individual Portion Freeze Method: Slice ribs into individual servings before freezing. Wrap each portion separately in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe containers. This approach allows quick thawing and prevents waste by defrosting only what you need.
• Glass Container Refrigeration Method: Transfer cooled ribs into clear glass containers with tight-sealing lids. Glass prevents odor absorption and allows easy visual inspection of stored meat. Stack containers efficiently to maximize refrigerator space and keep ribs fresh for 3-4 days.

Delicious Variations of Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Ribs and Slaw

• Spicy Korean Ribs Remix: Replace soy sauce with gochujang for a fiery Korean-inspired flavor profile. Add sesame seeds and green onions as garnish for extra authenticity.
• Caribbean Rum-Glazed Ribs: Swap rice vinegar for dark rum in the sauce. Include crushed pineapple in the slaw and sprinkle with jerk seasoning for a tropical Caribbean touch.
• Smoky Maple Bacon Ribs: Incorporate maple syrup instead of honey. Mix crispy bacon bits into the coleslaw and add a dash of smoked paprika to the sauce for a robust, woodsy flavor.
• Herb Garden Citrus Ribs: Infuse the sauce with fresh rosemary and thyme. Replace rice vinegar with fresh orange juice for brightness. Fold chopped fresh mint into the slaw for a zesty, herbal complexity.

Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Ribs and Slaw: A Flavorful, Sweet-and-Savory Meal

Slow cooker ribs and slaw showcase pioneering culinary creativity with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Classic comfort meets modern convenience in this mouthwatering dish.

Home cooks can easily master restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients and clever techniques.

Rich, sticky sauce complements tender meat while tangy slaw provides perfect acidic balance.

Zero complex kitchen skills required for this crowd-pleasing meal that impresses everyone at dinner.

Passionate home chefs: hit that share button, drop comments below, and spread deliciousness across your favorite social platforms – this recipe deserves global love!

Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Ribs And Slaw Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ree Drummond’s slow cooker ribs deliver mouthwatering Southern comfort with tender meat and tangy slaw. Hearty flavors meld perfectly, promising a delicious meal you’ll savor down to the last delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 racks of baby back ribs (about 5 pounds / 2.27 kilograms)

Sauce and Marinade Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) honey
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons honey

Aromatics and Vegetables:

• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 piece fresh ginger (3 inches / 7.6 centimeters), peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 pound (454 grams) shredded coleslaw mix
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• Kosher salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Transform a 6-quart slow cooker into a flavor foundation by layering minced garlic and grated ginger across the bottom, creating an aromatic base for the succulent pork ribs.
2. Segment the pork ribs into halves, positioning them bone-side down atop the fragrant aromatics, ensuring maximum contact with the seasoned surface of the slow cooker.
3. Configure the slow cooker to low temperature and allow the ribs to luxuriate and tenderize for approximately 8 hours, developing deep, rich flavors throughout the meat.
4. Delicately extract the ribs from the slow cooker and transfer them onto a baking sheet, draping loosely with aluminum foil to preserve their warmth and moisture.
5. Strain the accumulated cooking liquids into a skillet, introducing honey (340 grams), soy sauce (60 milliliters), and rice vinegar (30 milliliters) to create a robust sauce base.
6. Elevate the sauce by bringing the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, preparing it for thickening.
7. Prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of cold water with cornstarch until completely smooth and lump-free.
8. Incorporate the slurry into the boiling sauce, stirring continuously for approximately 1 minute until the sauce reaches a glossy, thickened consistency.
9. Reserve 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of the sauce for the accompanying slaw, then generously coat the ribs in the remaining glaze within the skillet.
10. Craft the slaw dressing by blending mayonnaise (120 milliliters), rice vinegar (15 milliliters), honey (15 milliliters), and the reserved sauce in a spacious mixing bowl.
11. Introduce coleslaw mix, thinly sliced red onion, and freshly chopped cilantro to the dressing, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly enrobed.
12. Season the slaw with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
13. Portion the glazed ribs into individual servings and plate alongside the vibrant, creamy slaw for a harmonious dining experience.

Notes

• Whisking the dressing creates a smooth, creamy coating that ensures every crunchy bite of coleslaw is perfectly dressed.
• Draining and reducing cooking juices concentrates the flavor, transforming ordinary liquid into a deeply savory, glossy glaze.
• Slow cooking magically turns tough ribs into incredibly tender meat that literally falls off the bone with minimal effort.
• Rice vinegar provides a bright, tangy undertone that brilliantly balances the rich, sweet meat’s deep flavors.
• Tenting cooked ribs with foil locks in moisture, keeping the meat steamy and irresistibly succulent for serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 585 kcal
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg