Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

These Crock Pot country style ribs are the perfect meal for busy weeknights and beyond. The ribs are smothered in a flavorful spiced brown sugar barbecue sauce and slow cooked to fork-tender perfection. These pork ribs are sticky, sweet, and so satisfying!

The Best Country Style Ribs Recipe

These Country style ribs are the perfect meal when I know a busy night is coming. It's so easy to pop the ribs into the crock pot, add the seasonings and barbecue sauce, and press start. I'm able to go about my day knowing a piping hot dish of tender ribs is waiting for me and my family at home.

Not only do I make these ribs on busy weeknights, but they're the perfect dish if I'm trying to cook for a crowd. I know everyone at my table is going to be satisfied with the meal, and that takes a load off my mind.

With a rub made from common spices like garlic powder and smoked paprika and the sticky BBQ sauce, this recipe is a hit with everyone, even the picky eaters!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Uses common ingredients. There's nothing too fancy in this recipe that you don't already have in your cupboard. Barbecue sauce, familiar spices - like cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes - and, of course, some pork ribs are all you need.

It's versatile. My favorite part of this dish is how well it goes with so many side dishes. I usually serve the ribs over these cream cheese mashed potatoes and a side salad, but they're delicious with everything, like these crack green beans and grit cakes.

Easy to make. Add everything to your crock pot, set the time, and let the ribs cook. How effortless does that sound?! These ribs are as easy to make as my crock pot pork chops, so check those out next!

Ingredients

• Brown sugar- I like to use dark brown sugar to give the ribs a sticky, sweet glaze.
• Spices- chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes.
• Barbecue sauce- choose your favorite BBQ sauce! Something sweet and tangy is great.
• Country style ribs- an inexpensive cut of meat that is usually boneless. Bone-in ribs work, too.
• Parsley- fresh, chopped for garnish.

How To Make Crock Pot Country Style Ribs

Step one: Make the sauce. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and barbecue sauce. Make sure to mix everything well until it fully combines.

Step two: Coat the ribs. Add the ribs to the bowl with the barbecue sauce and spices and toss well to coat the ribs in the prepared mixture. You'll want to flip the ribs a few times with kitchen tongs to coat them well.

Step three: Fill the crock pot. Add the ribs to the crock pot and cook them on low heat for 6-8 hours. If you need them done quicker, you can also cook them on high for 3-4 hours. You'll know the ribs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 170°F.

Step four: Serve and enjoy! Once the ribs are finished cooking, serve them hot, straight from the crock pot, garnished with chopped parsley. Serve alongside your favorite side dish and enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Toss the ribs in a skillet for a few minutes after cooking if you want a caramelized exterior.
• I love using a tangy barbecue sauce in this dish. It's the perfect way to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar and the spices.
• The longer you let the ribs cook, the more tender they will be! I always recommend cooking them low and slow. They should almost fall apart when you pierce them with a fork.
• Check on the ribs every hour or so throughout cooking, and add more sauce if needed.
• Serve the ribs with this jalapeno cornbread, these cheesy mashed potatoes, and these copycat Bush's Baked Beans for a BBQ restaurant-style meal. 

Storing and Reheating Instructions

You can store any leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To keep them for longer, can also store any leftovers in a freezer-safe bag for about 3 months. Just make sure you let the ribs cool completely before freezing.

I've found the best way to reheat leftover BBQ ribs is on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes. You'll want to make sure to flip them halfway through reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between country style ribs and regular ribs?

The main difference is that country-style ribs are cut from the shoulder area, and they have more meat and less bone than regular ribs.

Do country style ribs get more tender the longer they cook?

Yes, absolutely! Cooking country style ribs low and slow allows them to become super tender. That's why using the crock pot to cook them is the best method.

Do the ribs need to be completely covered with sauce in the crock pot?

No, the ribs don't need to be totally submerged, but you will want sauce in the crock pot the entire time throughout cooking. So if it dries up at all, just add some more BBQ around the ribs.

More Rib Recipes

• BBQ fried ribs
• St. Louis ribs
• Boneless ribs in the oven
• Beef back ribs
• Sous vide ribs