Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 03/20/20
Crock Pot Barbecue Beef
The Spruce
  • Total: 8 hrs 15 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 8 hrs
  • Yield: 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
844 Calories
36g Fat
52g Carbs
74g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 844
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 46%
Saturated Fat 13g 63%
Cholesterol 230mg 77%
Sodium 1136mg 49%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Protein 74g
Calcium 136mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Boneless country-style ribs are an excellent choice for the slow cooker, and your favorite barbecue sauce and a little apple juice and garlic make these ribs extra-flavorful.

Contrary to their name, country-style ribs don't necessarily come from the ribs of the animal. They are generally cut from the sirloin or rib end of the loin, but they might also come from the shoulder. They are a budget-friendly cut, and great for the grill, stovetop, oven, and slow cooker.

In this recipe, the country-style ribs are cooked with brown sugar, onions, apple juice, garlic, and other seasonings, and then they're finished with purchased barbecue sauce.

Serve the pork with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and corn or a green vegetable for a satisfying family dinner

1:41

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Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 pounds boneless country-style pork ribs
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 large onion (halved, thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup apple juice (or apple cider)
  • 1 (16 oz) bottle barbecue sauce (or about 1 1/2 cups homemade bbq sauce)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe ingredients
     The Spruce

  2. Lightly grease the crockery insert of a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker.

    Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe
     The Spruce

  3. Trim and discard any excess fat and pat dry with paper towels.

    Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Scatter the sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker, then place ribs on top.

    Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper, brown sugar, and minced garlic; turn the pork ribs to coat all pieces. Pour apple juice evenly over the pork.

    Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.

  7. Drain liquids from the pork and discard. Pour barbecue sauce over the pork and stir slightly to distribute the sauce.

    Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe
     The Spruce

  8. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour longer.

    Crock Pot Barbecued Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe
     The Spruce

    Tips

    • With the exception of ground meat, browning isn't usually necessary in slow cooker dishes. Browning meat before adding it to the slow cooker does, however, enhance the flavor and texture of dishes. 
    • If your slow-cooked dish is too watery at the end of the cooking time, concentrate the flavors by reducing the liquids. Strain the liquids into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for about 4 to 6 minutes, or until the liquids are reduced and flavorful.
    • Slow cookers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. You should buy a slow cooker based on family size and the types of dishes you cook. Oval cookers are perfect for large roasts and pulled pork while small to medium round models are excellent choices for soups and stews. A slow cooker with a metal insert can be used to sear meats on the stovetop before slow cooking.
    • If you hate the clean-up, consider using liners. Slow cooker liners are convenient, and they fit just about any size crockpot. 

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