Native Carolina Vinegar BBQ Ribs (Slow Cooker)

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Authentic Southern ribs slow-cooked with a tangy vinegar-based sauce, made with local ingredients and traditional techniques for tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs pork spare ribs, brown sugar, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 American cuisine 410 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 lbs, trimmed and cut into 2-rib sections pork spare ribs
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup honey

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat ribs dry with paper towels, then rub with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt to create an even coating.
Step 2: Place ribs in slow cooker, bone-side down, and pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 cup honey over the top.
Step 3: Stir to combine sauce, ensuring ribs are coated. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours until tender enough to pull away from bones.
Step 4: Remove ribs from slow cooker, reserving 1/2 cup sauce. Place ribs on a baking sheet and brush with reserved sauce.
Step 5: Broil under oven broiler for 3-5 minutes until sauce caramelizes and bubbles.
Step 6: Rest ribs for 5 minutes before serving, then cut between bones and serve with extra sauce.