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Once you cook ribs in your crock pot you’ll never go back to the way you were cooking them before. Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs is simple to make but everyone will think that you have been working hard in the kitchen all day long.
My entire family loves it when I cook BBQ ribs for dinner. This ribs recipe requires little work but tastes amazing. The slow cooker makes this country ribs cook until they are fork tender. The meat literally falls off the bone.
If you love making Easy Slow Cooker Recipes as much as I do, make sure to check out these other delicious recipes. Crock Pot Ribs with Coke, Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs, and Easy Crockpot BBQ Ribs Recipe are just some of my favorites.
Table of Contents
What are Country Style Pork Ribs?
Country-style ribs don’t actually come from the rib area of a pig. Country style ribs come from the shoulder area of the pig.
When country-style ribs have a bone in them, it is not a rib bone but a shoulder blade. We love making these country style pork ribs in the crock pot. They come out fork tender and fall of the bone.
Ingredients
- Country Style Bone-In Pork Ribs – Use any cut of meat
- Brown Sugar – See The Best Brown Sugar Substitutes if you are out
- Chili Powder – If you are out check out The Best Chili Powder Substitute
- Salt and Black Pepper – You can use kosher salt as well
- Favorite BBQ Sauce – You can use sweet baby ray or make Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Scroll to the bottom of the post to see recipe card for the full recipe and ingredients.
Substitutions and Additions
This recipe is delicious just as it is however you can add a few additions if you would like.
- Liquid Smoke – Liquid Smoke is a delicious addition to add smokey flavor
- Add Seasonings – Garlic Powder, cumin, onion powder, and paprika are great to add
- Onions – Slice up an onion and add it in the beginning of the slow cooking in a single layer.
- Change the Meat – Pork chops, pork shoulder or a pork roast would work in this slow cooker recipe. Great idea for making amazing pulled pork for your friends and family. Feel free to make this recipe with boneless ribs as well. The cooking time will still be the same.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – Put the country style pork ribs in your favorite crock pot.
Step 2 – Then you whisk all the other ingredients together and pour over the top. This sauce mixture is so good that you will not miss the smoky barbecue sauce in this recipe.
Step 3 – Pour the sauce over the ribs.
Step 5 – Then cover and cook the ribs in the slow cooker for 8-10 hours.
- Step 6 – Once they have been slow cooked, place on a baking sheet. Broil the ribs on a baking pan for approximately 5-10 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
- Step 7 – This process bring out the best flavors in this recipe. You may also put them on the grill for 5-10 minutes instead of using the broiler if you prefer.
- Step 8 – Season with salt and pepper then serve with your favorite side dishes.
Recipe Tips
- Homemade Barbecue Sauce – We love making our sauces from scratch because you can control the ingredients. Making Homemade BBQ Sauce saves time, money and taste even better on these ribs.
- Cooking Ribs – For the best results we recommend cooking the ribs on low. It helps to tenderize the meat which results the most flavorful ribs.
- Cooking Spray – Feel free to spray the slow cooker with cooking spray if you have problems with the meat sticking.
- Instant Pot – If you prefer, these ribs can be made in the instant. Place the ribs in the instant pot and add in your sauce ingredients. Then cook the ribs for about 15 minutes on high press and do a natural release for about 10. Then broil the ribs in the oven for a caramelize the texture.
What is the Difference between Country Style Ribs and Spare Ribs?
Country style pork ribs are cut from the shoulder of the hog and the very end of the pork loin. These ribs are similar to pork chops in flavor.
Spare ribs come from the rib section of the hog and have a slightly different flavor. Either type would taste great in this recipe. So you may substitute with spare ribs in you prefer them over country style ribs.
The sauce in this recipe would go great with other cuts of pork as well. I usually buy what’s on sale.
How to Serve Ribs
The country style ribs are a great addition to your family’s BBQ or a tasty weeknight meal. We love to serve easy side dishes for a complete meal idea. I always make these CrockPot Mashed Potatoes Recipe or Garlic Butter Rice with a side of this Boiling Corn on the Cob Recipe and Green Beans with Bacon Recipe.
It makes for the perfect combination and always a crowd favorite. For other options try this Quick & Easy Baked Beans or Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe. If you are making boneless country style pork ribs add Traditional Potato Salad Recipe or Best Macaroni Salad Recipe as a delicious side dish.
This Homemade Cornbread Recipe is another delicious options and taste even better making from scratch. For more side dish ideas, see Best Sides for Ribs.
Frequently Asked Questions
This best slow cooker country style ribs recipe cooks in the crock pot on low for 8-10 hours. You can also cook country style ribs slow cooker on high for approximately 6-8 hours.
I prefer to cook low and slow as I think they are more tender. But you can cook them on high to shorten the cooking time if you need to. Cooking times vary depending on how many ribs you are slow cooking.
This crock pot country style pork ribs is freezer friendly. Simply place all the ingredients in a freezer bag and then freeze. When you are ready to use, allow the meal to thaw in the refrigerator, and then follow the directions. If you love easy freezer meals, also check out the Lazy Day Cooking Club.
Store your leftover ribs in an airtight container then place in the fridge. These ribs will last about 4 days if stored properly. These ribs make a great lunch the next and reheat easily in the microwave.
More Slow Cooker Pork Recipes
Easy Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Pork Chops and Potatoes
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Teriyaki Pork Chops Recipe
Make sure to leave us a comment if you try this Crock Pot Pork Ribs Country Style Recipe. We love hearing from you.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 lbs country style pork ribs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Place the ribs in the crock pot.
- Combine all the ingredients in small bowl.
- Stir to combine.
- Pour over the ribs.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Place the ribs on a cooking sheet, lined with foil.
- Spoon sauce over the top.
- Broil (or grill) for 5-10 minutes or until it begins to brown.
a little heavy on the vinegar but tasty
OMG!!!! This recipe is AMAZING. It kind of tastes like bar-b-que without that overpowering particular sauce, which I loved!!!! I did follow you suggestion of adding a splash of hickory smoke liquid. I will make this again and again!!!!! Thank you for sharing! Josette
Delicious! Followed recipe exactly
I made this today country style rides the meat just fail off the bone so good
So easy
I think I’m going to try this recipe as a freeze ahead of an event meal, any thought on doing this?
I bought boneless ribs with the thought of making bbq sandwiches from them in mind . this is the perfect recipe!!! I can’t wait to try these . thank you!
cheers
In the process of making right now. For those talking about the cost, I got an almost 4lb package of boneless country ribs for under $10 on managers special. Keep an eye out. The house is smelling amazing. Update to follow.
Hi there,
Can I use spare ribs for this instead of country style ribs? And I can follow the rest of the directions as is?
Thank you for your time and help towards this matter
Another great recipe, Carrie. Broiling at the end really makes a difference.
Loved this recipe!
Ribs are my very favorite and I’ll be making this recipe soon. YUM!
These were amazing, the flavor the ease of making. We do not cook outside much as it is way to hot in the afternoon sun and I missed having ribs. Thank you thank you for the suggestion of cooking ribs in the crock pot. This is a MUST try recipe people.
These tasted better than restaurant quality ribs!! I haven’t had ribs in ages that I enjoyed this much! So delicious and easy!!
These are so delicious and so easy to make. Definitely my favorite way to make them!
Meat fell off with delicious flavor
Great recipe, i think next time i will add some liquid smoke for a little extra flavor
An excellent recipe! We rate it a 10 out of 10!
Too bad I can’t afford ribs!
Tara – I haven’t tried these in the Instant Pot yet but I would cook them on high pressure for 45-50 minutes with a full natural release. Make sure to add 1-1 1/2 cup of liquid so it’ll come to pressure. Let us know how they turn out!
I only have an Instant Pot so can I get the directions for cooking it in that?? The recipe looks AMAZING and I must try it soon! ?
Thank you Tracey!
These look heavenly! If my husband wasn’t on a low carb, low fat sodium diet, I would make these. He JUST received a kidney transplant on March 31st and is very restricted. Thank you for posting such wonderful recipes. I love to cook and hope to delve in to the ones I can’t quite cook now!
What a great way to cook country style ribs in the hot summer months. I think I will just buy BBQ sauce instead of making this sauce.
Yes, you can cook them on high for half of the cooking time but I do recommend cooking them on low as the ribs will be more tender. Thank you!
We made this and absolutely love it even our picky eaters love it.
Can I cook them on high instead of low?
My family loves this crockpot recipe.
This recipe is a keeper in my home. We have five adults and all said please put this in the rotation of meals. A great tip that you gave about crockpot liners is a great tip too!
So good and easy!
Turn out great everyone loved them. Ty
This is a great recipe, my family asks for it often. So much easier than grilling.
Thank you! It’s 1/4 cup – I’ll update the recipe card
All the ingredients says for Worcestershire sauce is 1/4. No mention of teaspoon tablespoon cup nothing might want to fix that
Thank you! Yes, this crock pot has recently become not available – which is such a bummer because I love it!
Your recipe looks delicious, and I definitely want to try it. However, may I please point out something to you. The Ninja slow cooker that you always suggest is no longer available, and if you are somehow able to find one, the price is astronomical. So, please keep that in mind before you continue to suggest this particular brand of slow cooker. I would love to have one, but whenever I click on the link in your recipe that says “Ninja”, the info that comes up always says that it’s “unavailable.”
Can you use boneless pork ribs or do they need to be bone in?
I’m a little short on the 3 pounds of ribs. What should I substitute? Would you recommend pork chops or chicken?
Could I simply double the ingredients to do 6 lbs of ribs instead of 3?
Allergic to additives found in all processed foods and jars like ketchup, sauces etc? Any tips for cooking from scratch
Without BBQ sauce? Looks breat but 2 cups of ketchup plus all those other ingredients IS barbecue sauce.
What can I substitute in place of the apple cider vinegar. We are not a fan of the taste
yes,I think it will still turn out great
Can I substitute tomato sauce for the ketchup