You can’t always fire up the grill when you’re craving tender, melt-in-your-mouth barbecue – and that’s where the slow cooker comes in. Slow cooker country style ribs give you all the smoky, savory goodness of traditional ribs with the ease of “set it and forget it” cooking. Just a few minutes of prep leads to flavorful, fork-tender perfection. Served with creamy mashed potatoes and buttery corn on the cob or with cornbread and baked beans, slow cooker country style ribs are a true comfort meal.
Recipe for Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
Ingredients:
- 3 to 4 lbs of country-style pork ribs
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar or honey (optional)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Prep the Ribs
Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Optional: Sear
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the ribs on each side until lightly browned. This step adds flavor depth, but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
3. Layer the Slow Cooker
Place the sliced onions at the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the ribs on top.
4. Mix the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar or honey (if using), apple cide vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour the sauce evenly over the ribs.
5. Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the ribs are tender and easily pull apart with a fork.
6. Finish and Serve
Optional: For caramelized, sticky ribs, transfer them to a baking sheet, brush with extra sauce, and broil for 3–5 minutes until bubbly and slightly charred.
Tips & Variations
- Use bone-in ribs: Boneless ribs work and are easier for eating, but bone-in gives a richer flavor.
- Add some spice: Mix a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce into your barbecue mix for a bold, smoky heat.
- Make ahead: Slow cooker country ribs reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.
Simple Comfort Comes from The Butcher Shop
Comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, slow cooker country style ribs are perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or anytime you need a dose of down-home goodness.
At The Butcher Shop, we make sure you can feel good about the comfort food you put on your family’s table. All our meats are locally sourced, 100% natural, and non-GMO. We carry freshly baked loaves of bread, farm-fresh produce, and high-quality pantry essentials – all at prices that won’t break your budget. Stop by today or call ahead to pre-order your ingredients.