These slow cooker country-style ribs are the ultimate in tender, flavorful comfort food. With just a handful of pantry staples and a few hours in the slow cooker, you’ll have country-style pork ribs that practically melt in your mouth!
Why I Love this recipe
Country-style ribs are one of my favorite cuts to work with, especially when cooked low and slow. The blend of brown sugar and smoked paprika in the rub brings out a subtle sweetness and smokiness, while the slow cooking process makes the ribs melt-in-your-mouth tender. I also love how easy this is to throw together—just a few simple ingredients and your slow cooker does the rest.
And those juices… oh the juices! While you can certainly add BBQ sauce to these ribs at any point, I think you’ll find the juices to be a masterful flavor experience!
Ingredients
These slow cooker country-style ribs are made with simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create rich, smoky flavors you’d expect from a pro BBQ pit—right in your own kitchen.
The seasoning starts with brown sugar, smoked paprika, and coarse salt to balance sweetness, smokiness, and savory goodness. Onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, and black pepper round out the flavors, while a dash of cayenne adds just the right amount of kick without being overpowering.
The ribs cook on a bed of sliced onions, which slowly release their sweetness and blend into the rich, flavorful sauce. A mixture of chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of liquid smoke creates the perfect base to keep the ribs tender and packed with flavor.
When serving, don’t forget to pour some of that amazing liquid from the slow cooker all over the ribs—it’s bursting with flavor on its own! And if you love BBQ sauce, add your favorite on top for that extra layer of goodness!
Preparation
Start by mixing up the rub. Combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, coarse salt, onion powder, ground mustard, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne. Add the ribs and rub to a large zip-top bag and shake it all around! You can use a large bowl too. Make sure each piece is evenly coated. If you’ve got time, let the ribs sit with the rub for about an hour – this gives the flavors a chance to really seep in.
Cooking
Coat the bottom of your slow cooker with a bit of cooking spray and layer the sliced onions on the bottom. Place the seasoned ribs on top. In a cup or bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Pour this flavorful liquid over the ribs. Set the slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours, and let it work its magic.
So which is it? 4 or 6 hours?
Ahhh, great question. This really depends on the particular country-style ribs you have. Basically, the more marbling and fat, the sooner they will be done. We use ribs from the shoulder/butt as they contain the most marbling. Some, however, can still be a little leaner than others. Check for doneness at the 4-hour mark. They should just be starting to fall apart. If not, leave them in a little longer until they reach that point.
By the time the slow cooker is done, the ribs will be incredibly tender, and the house will smell amazing. You’ll end up with a rich, flavorful broth that’s essential to the dish. Drizzle it generously over the ribs to enhance every bite! This broth is where a lot of the magic happens, adding depth and moisture to every mouthful.
Serving
These slow cooker country-style ribs are perfect served with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables. The ribs come out so tender that you can eat them with a fork, and the smoky, savory flavors make them an instant hit with family and friends.
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the ribs in a shallow baking dish with a little of the leftover cooking liquid and cover with foil. Heat in the oven at 300°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but using the oven keeps them from drying out.
I don’t suggest it. They don’t get nearly as tender and juicy.
Absolutely! You don’t have to be exact with any of these. The ingredients and amounts listed offer an outstanding, well-balanced blend of seasonings, but feel free to add your own touches.
Recipe
Best Damn Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Description
Make the most tender, flavorful country-style ribs in your slow cooker with simple ingredients. This easy recipe delivers BBQ-worthy ribs with minimal effort, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 2–3lbs boneless country ribs (butt ribs)
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp coarse salt
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1tbs apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 medium onion, sliced
Instructions
- Add rub to ribs and let sit for an hour if desired
- Coat bottom of slow cooker with cooking spray and add onions
- Add ribs on top of onions
- Mix broth, vinegar, Worcestershire and liquid smoke, pour over ribs
- Cook on low for 4 hours
- When done, carefully remove from slow cooker and serve with the juices or your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Starlet M Gann says
Wow, those were so simple and delicious. Can’t wait to make them again. Fall off the bone full of flavor.yummy
Jamie says
I made this yesterday. My boyfriend loved it and so did I. The seasonings for the rub were perfect for us. He does not like BBQ sauce at all, I do but this did not need it. It was SO easy to make! I did put the rub on about an hour and half before cooking. It was DELICIOUS, and tender.
Thanks for sharing and for the helpful tips! This recipe is a keeper!
PJ says
This is now my go to recipe for country pork ribs, bone in. These were so flavorful and versitle. My daughter at them as is with the juice over potatoes. My husband had it with BBQ sauce on a bun.My son put it in a quesadilla. Everyone commented on how delicious they were. Thank you so much Recipe Teacher!!!!
Midge says
Delicious. Thank you recipe teacher.
From Midge
Karen says
The title is correct. I made these ribs today, followed the recipe exactly. Those are the best ribs I have ever prepared. They taste like they just came out of the smoker. Juicy tender, flavorful perfection. They couldn’t be easier, and with the slow cooker I didn’t have to heat up the house. My husband just finished eating them and is still raving about them. I will be making these again soon.
Thank you!!!!
Ems says
After crock pot I put ribs in air fryer at 400 for 5 minutes to caramelize.
Cheryl says
I’m looking forward to putting these in the crockpot. My husband doesnt like onions, so i was thinking of either sauerkraut or sliced apples under the ribs. Thoughts?
RecipeTeacher says
Both apples or sauerkraut “should” work fine. My only concern would be the apples breaking down too much.
peggy J stivason says
Hi Jason , You just made my evening easier . This is The Best Damn Ribs “Ever ” . Love the liquid smoke . Adds such a wonderful flavor . Been using it for years . I love your Cookbook . Some recipes haven’t tried yet but getting there . Thank you JBird . Have a awesome weekend
LML says
This recipe was very good. Cooked about 4.5 hours in the crockpot and followed the recipe ingredients other than the liquid smoke which I did not have on hand. Put ribs on top of the onions, and poured liquid ingredients around rather than over the ribs to keep the seasonings intact. Ribs were relatively lean so was able to use leftover broth to make a tasty gravy served with mashed Yukon gold potatoes. Served with BBQ sauce on side.