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.
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.
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
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
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!
If you’re looking for a traditional rib recipe, my baby back ribs on the grill are easy to make and delicious!
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
Pork spare ribs are called Paigu in Chinese. They are especially popular in Chinese and American Chinese cuisine.
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!
Chinese Sticky Ribs
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
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.
Heather
Oh wow, this looks amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try!
Melissa Dixon
This looks really good. I have been really craving ribs lately. Whenever we drive through our neighborhood on our bikes I can smell the neighbors cooking them and it really sounds good now.
Ruth I.
Oh wow. This looks divine! I am excited to try this recipe, maybe on a special occasion like my sister’s birthday.
Pam
I love a good slow cooker recipe. These slow cooker tangerine ribs sound like they pack a lot of flavor.
Melanie
I use my slow cooker all throughout the year. I am always on the hunt for new slow cooker recipe ideas. This one looks great!
Roch
This is something I’d easily choose from a restaurant’s menu. It looks so tasty and good with sweet potatoes or just plain steamed white rice on the side.
Jamie H
I use my slow cooker on a regular basis (it’s one of my favorite appliances), but for some reason I haven’t ever done ribs in it! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Amber Myers
What a tasty flavor. It’s been ages since we’ve had ribs, so I might have to make this for the family one evening.
Michelle
I love the subtle flavor of orange with pork ribs. I recently made ribs in my slow cooker and was amazed at how tender and delicious they came out. It was so easy! I can’t wait to try your recipe. The sauce sounds amazing. Love the flavors in this one!
Leslie
I’ve never done ribs in a slow cooker! GREAT idea!!! Loving the flavors in this recipe as well! YUM!
Marcie W.
You had me at slow cooker since turning on the oven when it’s already 110° outside is not fun. The flavorful sauce sounds amazing as well. Yum!
Jeannette
I love cooking in the slow cooker and these ribs look like the perfect meal to make for my family. I love that you added the tangerine. I bet that adds the perfect touch!
Terri Steffes
I am really loving the tangerine in this dish. I have seen it made with orange, but with science and all, it can be tricky to get the orange that has the right flavors. The tangerine, though, is consistent and in my way of thinking, even more delicious.
Katie
I love the ingredient picture with all the little cups! And the finished dish, of course, looks wonderful.
Chef Dennis Littley
Thanks Katie!
Adam J. Holland
Holy swine! #divine #delciousness
Chef Dennis Littley
thanks Adam!