These Crock Pot country style pork ribs are wicked delicious and insanely easy to make. The melt-in-your-mouth meat teamed up the spicy and tangy BBQ sauce- it truly is Southern comfort at its best!
From family meals and parties to BBQs and potlucks, this hearty dish is sure to be a total crowd-pleaser every single time!
Country-style pork ribs aren't your typical ribs. Unlike the traditional ribs that come from the rib cage, these are actually a cut of meat from the shoulder of the animal, near the front end of the loin. This makes it meatier and less fatty. And when you marinate and cook them in all those spices and seasonings, it just dials the flavors up a notch.
While my classic slow cooker ribs, BBQ rib sandwich, and my Dr Pepper ribs recipe are both big hits in my household, I really wanted to try my hands at a Southern-style comfort food this time, and here we are!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These country-style pork ribs are incredibly easy to make. You’ll just need a few simple ingredients and just minutes of your time in the kitchen, making it the perfect weekday or weeknight meal.
- Using the Crockpot ensures that the ribs are tender, juicy, and full of deep, smoky BBQ flavors every single time. It’s really a recipe you can’t go wrong with.
- You can tweak and play around with the ingredients and adjust the spices to meet your preference. Customizability is a big plus, especially if you’re making it for the whole family.
- You can make them in advance too! Batch make them and store them for later. You can then reheat and enjoy them anytime you want to!
Ingredients for the Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs Recipe
- Onion: I used a yellow onion for that slight bit of sweetness and umami to complement the flavors of the ribs.
- Boneless pork ribs: The perfect choice for that meaty, tender texture.
- Barbeque sauce: To lend a slightly smoky, tangy, and sweet flavor to the ribs, and also for that delicious glaze.
- Brown sugar: For a hint of sweetness to balance out the heat from the spices, and also for that nice caramelization.
- Seasonings: Just a bit of paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Worcestershire sauce: For that extra bit of tangy and savory deliciousness.
Variations and Substitutions
- To sweeten the barbeque sauce, add a cup of applesauce to the mix. This will lend it a beautiful fruity flavor and enhance the sweetness of the pork.
- Lend the ribs a rich, malty flavor by adding ½ cup of your favorite beer into the mix.
- To make Crockpot country style ribs without BBQ sauce, use a mix of Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and some ginger powder.
- Add some cola or root beer to the BBQ sauce and use this concoction to add flavor to the pork ribs.
- Don’t have Worcestershire sauce? Use some dark soy sauce or balsamic vinegar to bring similar umami flavors into the dish.
- Want a bit of a tangy kick? Add some apple cider vinegar to the BBQ sauce mixture.
- Swap the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup to lend a more complex flavor to the sauce.
- For a spicy kick, add some hot sauce or sliced jalapenos to the sauce.
How To Make Country Style Pork Ribs in Crockpot
Step 1: Prep the Crockpot: Layer chopped onions into the bottom of a 6-quart or larger crock pot. Then, place the boneless country style ribs on top of this evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the mix: Combine your favorite BBQ sauce, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Pour this mixture over the ribs.
Step 3: Slow cook the ribs: Cover with the lid and let this slow-cook for 8-9 hours on low, letting the flavors blend and the meat reach that tender, juicy perfection.
Step 4: Prepare for broiling: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Gently remove the ribs from the Crockpot with tongs and place them on the foil-lined baking sheet. Coat the top of the ribs with the remaining barbecue sauce with a basting brush or the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Broil to finish: Pop this into the oven and broil the ribs for 3-5 minutes until the barbecue sauce thickens and begins to bubble, creating a delicious glaze. Serve hot and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Make sure you preheat your broiler while preparing the ribs. This will ensure quick and perfect caramelization of the BBQ sauce.
- If your BBQ sauce seems too thick, loosen it up with a bit of apple cider vinegar or water.
- Avoid overcooking the ribs- take a peek during the final hour of cooking.
- To check if the pork ribs are done cooking, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If it reaches 145°F, it is ready!
- Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes after broiling. This will seal in the juices, keep the meat juicy and tender, and also help it reach the safe temperature for consumption as it cooks in the residual heat.
Serving Suggestions
These smoky and savory country style ribs can be enjoyed in a lot of different ways.
Mashed potatoes: I love serving these slow cooker country style pork ribs with my favorite garlic mashed potatoes. It’s just a match made in heaven!
Cornbread: You just can’t go wrong with this Southern favorite! Follow this easy Crockpot cornbread recipe to make things quicker.
Coleslaw: A simple crisp and tangy coleslaw lends a nice contrast to the rich ribs.
Roasted vegetables: Veggies like roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, green beans, or even sweet potatoes are a good choice as a side.
Baked beans: Baked beans are a delicious hearty side to pair with the ribs. Check out my simple Crockpot baked beans recipe to make things quicker.
Macaroni and cheese: Choose a simple creamy slow cooker macaroni and cheese recipe to take the brainwork out of the picture. You can even whip up a simple Crockpot corn casserole if you want to keep it simpler.
Potato salad: You can’t go wrong with a nice creamy potato salad, chipotle potatoes, or some slow cooker roasted potatoes.
Biscuits: Flaky biscuits are just perfect for soaking up all that flavorful sauce from the ribs.Corn on the cob: Want to keep it simple? Choose a simple grilled or steamed corn on the cob as a side dish. I’m partial to my Crockpot corn on the cob recipe!
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Whether you’re batch-making these or have leftovers that you want to store, allow the ribs to come to room temperature first before transferring them to an airtight container. You can then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: Want the ribs to last longer? Use a freezer-safe bag or container to store them, and then freeze them for up to 3 months. You can also store the leftover sauce in the same way, and then defrost them both together overnight before you reheat them.
Reheating: To reheat the country-style pork ribs, arrange them in a baking dish, cover the dish with kitchen foil, and pop them in a preheated oven at 350 F. They should take around 20-25 minutes to get nice and hot. You can also use your microwave, but make sure you cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid to keep the moisture sealed in.
Recipe FAQs
Country-style pork ribs differ from traditional pork ribs as they're not actual ribs but rather meat strips from the pig's shoulder area where the loin meets the shoulder. Despite not being true ribs, their flavor and texture closely mimic those of authentic ribs obtained from the pig's rib cage.
Yes, you can use bone-in pork ribs. Keep in mind that they might take a bit longer to cook. Check for doneness, as cooking times may vary slightly.
If you don't have a broiler, you can finish the ribs in a hot oven, around 450°F, for a few minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning and to ensure the sauce caramelizes just like it would under a broiler.
Pork ribs are done when the internal temperature reaches 145°F. They should be tender and easily pulled apart with a fork. This is a good sign that they are thoroughly cooked.
More Crock Pot Pork Recipes
- Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Pork
- Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops
- Crock Pot Pork Chops with Stuffing
- Crock Pot Hawaiian Pulled Pork
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Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 3-4 lbs Country style pork ribs (boneless)
- 2 cups barbeque sauce (divided into 1½ cups and ½ cup)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a 6-quart or larger crock pot, add onions to the bottom. Then, place the ribs on top.
- Add barbecue sauce, brown sugar, spices, and Worcestershire sauce to a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined. Then, pour over the ribs.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Then, gently remove the ribs and place them on the foil-lined baking sheet. Then, coat the top of the ribs with the remaining barbecue sauce.
- Broil for 3-5 minutes until the barbecue sauce thickens and begins to bubble.
Notes
- Make sure you preheat your broiler while preparing the ribs. This will ensure quick and perfect caramelization of the BBQ sauce.
- If your BBQ sauce seems too thick, loosen it up with a bit of apple cider vinegar or water.
- Avoid overcooking the ribs- take a peek during the final hour of cooking.
- To check if the pork ribs are done cooking, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If it reaches 145°F, it is ready!
- Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes after broiling. This will seal in the juices, keep the meat juicy and tender, and also help it reach the safe temperature for consumption as it cooks in the residual heat.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nicole Willmore says
One of my families favorites! Having it tomorrow night for dinner!
Ryan Allen says
They are one of our favorites too! I am glad you enjoy them so much.
Bonnie says
This is by far the very best recipe for slow cooker boneless pork ribs. I have ditched all the other saved recipes. I have made these several times and they always turn out juicy and tender. Just enough spice. The leftovers, if there are any make excellent pulled pork sandwiches. Delicious!
Ryan Allen says
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear! I'm thrilled it's become your go-to recipe. There’s nothing better than juicy, tender ribs—and I totally agree, the leftovers make such good sandwiches (if you even have any!). Thanks so much for the kind words!