Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Ribs
Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Ribs is a popular Chinese-American comfort food where pork ribs are braised in a tangy, sweet sauce until tender. The classic sauce typically combines vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and ketchup or pineapple juice, creating a sticky, glossy glaze. This method uses a slow cooker to develop deep flavor with minimal hands-on time.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein and fat from the pork ribs, with a significant amount of sugar from the sauce contributing to the carbohydrate content. A single serving can range from 400-600 calories, depending on the cut of meat and sauce quantity, and provides iron and B vitamins from the meat.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Zinc | 4.0 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6.0 mg |
| Selenium | 18 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The sweet and sour flavor profile is a hallmark of Cantonese cuisine, often symbolizing balance in Chinese culinary philosophy. Nutritionally, the slow-cooking method helps break down tough connective tissues in the ribs, making the protein more digestible.
