These slow cooker teriyaki ribs are a truly easy “set it and forget it” recipe, perfect for those busy weekdays and weekends when you just need dinner ready to serve at the end of the day.
Prep them in minutes, place the baby back ribs in the Crock Pot, brush on the sauce, and press start. Hours later, this tender, tasty pork meal is ready to serve.
If you’re looking for an effortless way to enjoy fall-off-the-bone ribs, this recipe is your answer! With just a handful of ingredients, you can prepare tender, flavorful ribs with a sweet and tangy Asian-inspired glaze. The slow cooker does all the work, so you can set it and forget it, making it perfect for busy days or relaxed weekend dinners.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Set and Forget: The slow cooker handles all the hard work, making this an easy option for a no-fuss dinner.
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of teriyaki sauce, balsamic vinegar, and garlic creates a rich and savory glaze that’s irresistible.
- Versatile Dish: These ribs are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Pork baby back ribs – Look for ribs marked “extra meaty.” These larger baby back ribs hold up better during slow cooking in the Crock Pot. We prefer Smithfield brand, but any brand is fine to use.
- Teriyaki sauce – You can also use soy sauce or hoisin sauce for this recipe and add honey or brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Add your favorite sauce to supplement the teriyaki sauce or use a completely different sauce. We like to change things up by adding a little BBQ sauce. - Balsamic vinegar – Adds a tangy and slightly sweet taste to the sauce. If you don’t have this in hand, you can use rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
- Garlic – I used minced garlic for the sauce, but you can also use fresh garlic.
- Salt & pepper – Adjust the flavor to taste, and feel free to add spices of your choice for more flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Teriyaki: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or chili paste to the sauce for a spicy twist.
- Honey Garlic: Substitute half the teriyaki sauce with honey for a sweeter glaze.
- Pineapple Teriyaki: Stir in ¼ cup of pineapple juice for a tropical flavor boost.
- Sticky Soy: Swap the teriyaki sauce with a mix of soy sauce, hoisin, and brown sugar for a different Asian-inspired glaze.
Equipment Used in Our Recipe
- Crock Pot (Slow Cooker): Ensures the meat cook slowly and evenly, making them tender and flavorful.
Tips for Tender Teriyaki Ribs
- Remove the thin membrane on the underside of the rack of ribs (see photos and tips below).
Removing the rib membranes allows for the seasoning to permeate both sides of the meat, providing more flavoring. - Avoid overcooking pork ribs, as it will leave you with tough or dry meat.
- Check the internal temperature to determine proper cooking of the pork. When fully cooked, the internal temperature of baby back ribs should be 165°F.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
For extra flavor, sear the ribs in a hot skillet before placing them in the slow cooker. This caramelizes the edges and locks in the juices for a more robust taste.
How to Remove Membrane from Baby Back Ribs
- Turn the slab over so that the bones are facing up. Using a sharp paring knife, separate the membrane from the rib bones, as shown above.
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2. To strip the membrane from the teriyaki pork ribs, grasp the membranes with a paper towel and pull it from the bones as shown above and below.
This process takes a little practice, but once you have done it a few times, it will take 1-2 minutes.
How to Prepare Teriyaki Ribs for Slow Cooking
This set it and forget it recipe has just a few simple steps!
- Cut the slab of pork ribs to fit inside your slow cooker (this is the one I use). Then, brush with teriyaki sauce and season with salt and pepper.
- Set the slow cooker to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Add balsamic vinegar and garlic, and thicken the sauce before serving.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Teriyaki Ribs
This recipe is so versatile, you can serve them in a variety of delicious ways!
For a classic approach, enjoy these bone-tender BBQ ribs straight from the slow cooker, garnished with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor. Serve the ribs bone-side up for presentation and pair them with a refreshing small bowl of salad or creamy coleslaw.
Want to switch it up? Use the tender meat to create a flavorful rib sandwich—just shred the meat and pile it onto a buttery biscuit or soft roll. Add a hearty side like loaded potatoes casserole, and for extra comfort, try pinto beans in Instant Pot without soaking. Round out the meal with some fluffy, easy biscuits with self rising flour, and finish on a sweet note with apple cobbler recipes with Bisquick for dessert.
Whether served with a variety of sides or reimagined in a new dish, these ribs will be the star of your meal!
Recipe FAQs
You should not sear your ribs before cooking. You want to cook them low and slow to break down the connective tissue so they will fall off the bone when eating. I do find that a quick sear will help to lock in juices and provide a good smoky flavor.
The ribs will soak up any seasoning you rub on them. I use a bit of salt, pepper, brown sugar, and a few drops of liquid smoke. After seasoning, place the crockpot ribs in the slow cooker (WITHOUT liquid) and turn it on high. Leave it for a few hours to sear.
It is possible to overcook, and while you can cook them on high in the slow cooker, I recommend cooking them on low for 6-7 hours. If the meat is literally falling off the bones, it has more than likely been overcooked. You want the meat to come off with light pressure.
Love Dinner Recipes? Here’s More…
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If you tried this slow cooker teriyaki rib recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 rack/slab baby back ribs (about 2.5 lbs)
- ⅔ cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
optional
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Sprinkle ribs lightly with pepper, place in crockpot, and brush with 1/3 cup of teriyaki sauce generously to ensure that the ribs are coated on both sides with sauce.
- Cover with the lid and turn on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Internal temperature should be 145ºF.
- Remove from crockpot, cover with foil, and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- While the ribs are resting, add vinegar, garlic, and remaining 1/3 cup of teriyaki sauce to the juices in the bottom of the crockpot. For a really rich sauce, add 1/3 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Turn crockpot to high setting and allow to simmer until thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
- Brush thickened sauce from crockpot onto the ribs, and serve warm.
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