Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs

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My Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs are cooked low and slow until they’re moist, delicious, and so tender that they almost melt in your mouth. Meatier than other ribs, and served with barbecue sauce, they’re a hearty meal your whole family will love!

Slow cooker country style pork ribs on a white platter.

Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. It’s made with simple ingredients and only takes ten minutes of prep work.

Using a slow cooker to make my country style ribs not only takes all the work out of cooking, it also guarantees these ribs will come out tender and juicy, every time.

If you love slow-cooker ribs, make sure to check out my slow-cooker baby back ribs and short ribs recipes.

If you don’t have a slow cooker, try my oven-baked country-style pork ribs.

Table of Contents:

Ingredients to make Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs

Gather the ingredients needed to make our slow cooker country-style pork ribs recipe. Culinary professionals call this the Mise en Place, which means “Everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also helps ensure you have all of the ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

How to make Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs

In a small bowl, add the chili powder, kosher salt, cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Mix to combine.

If your ribs didn’t come precut, cut them into sections.
You may find that some companies package country-style pork ribs boneless.
Rub the spice blend into the ribs. Then, let them sit for 15-30 minutes to marinate and come to room temperature.
Spray the bottom of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Then, add the chopped onions and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Place the seasoned ribs on top of the onions in a single layer if possible.

Add the barbecue sauce and chicken broth to the slow cooker, pouring it over the ribs.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook the ribs on low for 3 – 4 hours or until tender but not falling apart.
Remove the ribs from the sauce, place them on a serving platter, and cover them with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Remove the sauce from the slow cooker and place it in a small saucepan. Skim off any excess fat. Then, heat it over medium-high heat until it has thickened.
If needed, add additional barbecue sauce; if it’s too thick, thin it out with water or chicken broth.

Brush the country style pork ribs with the heated barbecue sauce and serve with your favorite side dishes.

For crispy, caramelized ribs, place them on a sheet pan under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until they have crisped up to your liking. Making sure not to let them burn. Brush with additional sauce and serve.

Store any leftover ribs refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Recipe FAQ’s

What’s the difference between pork ribs and country-style ribs?

Although country-style ribs aren’t actually ribs, people refer to them as ribs because most cuts have bones running through them, and they contain more meat and less bone than “real” ribs..

What cut of pork are country-style ribs?

Country-style pork ribs come from the shoulder area of the pig. Chefs don’t actually consider them ribs; instead, they take this cut from the blade end of the pork loin close to the shoulder. This cut includes parts of the pork shoulder blade bone and features a good amount of marbling, making it tender and flavorful when cooked.

Why aren’t my slow cooker ribs tender?

Two factors can lead to the meat being tough.
Not having enough liquid in the pan during the cooking process, or not cooking the meat long enough.

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