Country style pork ribs are a delicious cut of meat that become fall-off-the-bone tender when cooked low and slow in a crock pot With just a few simple ingredients, you can make these ribs incredibly flavorful and juicy
Cooking country style ribs in a crock pot results in ribs that are fork tender and packed with flavor. The slow cooking allows the fat in the ribs to melt, keeping them moist while the connective tissue breaks down, making them deliciously tender. While grilling and oven roasting are great ways to cook ribs using a crock pot makes ribs practically effortless.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook perfect country style pork ribs in a crock pot, including:
- What Are Country Style Pork Ribs?
- Benefits of Cooking Ribs in a Crock Pot
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cooking Tips for the Best Ribs
- Serving Suggestions
- Frequently Asked Questions
So let’s get started and learn how to make these easy, deliciously tender crock pot country style pork ribs!
What Are Country Style Pork Ribs?
Country style ribs come from the blade end of the pork loin near the shoulder of the pig. They are not actually ribs at all but are cuts of pork shoulder meat that resemble ribs.
While not truly ribs, their marbling and connective tissue content makes them perfect for simmering in a crock pot until melt-in-your-mouth tender. They tend to be more affordable than actual ribs as well.
Some country style rib packages will contain ribs with the bone in, while others are boneless. Either works great! Boneless ribs make serving simpler since the meat easily separates from the bone when cooked.
Benefits of Cooking Ribs in a Crock Pot
Cooking ribs in a slow cooker offers several advantages:
Tender Meat – The slow cooking breaks down connective tissue and fat, resulting in meat so tender it falls right off the bone.
Infused with Flavor – Country style ribs cooked for hours in sauce absorb all that delicious flavor.
Hands-off Cooking – Once you add the ingredients to the crock pot, the work is done. Perfect for busy days!
Versatile – Make ribs on weekends or throw them in before work for an effortless dinner. Cook more than you need and easily reheat leftovers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crock pot country style ribs only require a handful of ingredients, most of which are probably already in your pantry and fridge.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3-4 lbs country style pork ribs
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1-2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cooking perfect country style ribs in the crock pot couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps:
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Prep the ribs: Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. If using bone-in ribs, trim off any excess fat or skin.
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Dice the onion: Peel and dice 1 onion. Spread the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker.
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Add seasoning: Season the ribs all over with salt, pepper, chili powder and garlic powder if desired.
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Place ribs in crock pot: Put the seasoned ribs in the slow cooker on top of the onions.
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Make the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
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Pour sauce over ribs: Pour the sauce over the ribs, coating them completely.
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Cook on low: Cover and cook for 8-10 hours on low until fall-apart tender.
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Uncover and broil: Transfer ribs to a baking sheet, coat with sauce and broil for 4-5 minutes to caramelize.
That’s it – let your crock pot do the work while you go about your day!
Cooking Tips for the Best Crock Pot Country Style Ribs
Follow these tips for ribs that come out perfect every time:
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Choose ribs with plenty of marbling – this keeps them extra moist.
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Add onions or garlic to the crock pot – they add moisture and become deliciously tender.
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Cook on low if possible for maximum tenderness. High works too if you’re pressed for time.
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Broil the cooked ribs with sauce to finish for extra caramelization and flavor.
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Use bone-in ribs for more flavor, boneless for easier eating.
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Let sauce simmer on ribs for 10 mins after cooking before serving.
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Add spices like smoked paprika, cumin or chipotle powder for more flavor.
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Make extra sauce to keep ribs coated and moist if cooking longer than 8 hours.
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Use cooking spray on the crock pot liner to prevent sticking.
Serving Suggestions
Country style ribs are a classic BBQ favorite. Here are some tasty sides that pair perfectly:
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Cornbread
- Mac and cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Potato salad
- dinner rolls
The ribs also work great in sandwiches and tacos too. Get creative!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between country style ribs and spare ribs?
Country style ribs come from the shoulder while spare ribs are from the belly. Both braise wonderfully in a slow cooker though!
How long should I cook country ribs in a crockpot?
Cook for 8-10 hours on low or 6-8 hours on high. Check ribs after 6 hours on low to see if they are fork tender.
Can I use another liquid instead of apple cider vinegar?
Yes, you can substitute things like chicken broth, beer, cola or fruit juice.
Do I need to add liquid to the crock pot?
No extra liquid is needed as the sauce ingredients create plenty of moisture. Add 1 cup broth or water if cooking more than 10 hours.
Can I prepare them in advance?
Yes! Assemble the raw ribs and sauce up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Cook as directed when ready.
Can I freeze cooked country style crock pot ribs?
Cooked ribs can be frozen for 2-3 months. Cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Get Cooking!
Thanks for learning how to make crock pot country style pork ribs with me! Now that you know how easy it is, what are you waiting for? Grab a few ingredients and let your slow cooker work its magic for mouthwatering ribs tonight. If you have any other questions, ask in the comments below. Enjoy!