Slow cooker barbecued country style ribs are hands down the easiest way to make tender, fall apart pork ribs. Minimal effort with maximum flavor!
Why this recipe works
Slow cooker barbecued country style ribs taste like they’re fresh out of the smoker thanks to a little liquid smoke added to the mix, plus they’re incredibly tender just as you’d expect when using a crockpot.
While I’ll always love oven baked country style ribs, I have to say, this is the easiest way of cooking them. Low and slow in the crock. Just set it and forget it, although it’s pretty tough to forget when that aroma hits the nostrils. These bad boys are rubbed down with spices and seasonings, layered over a bed of onions and apples, then smothered in smoky barbecue sauce. They’ll need a quick sear before popping them into the crock to create a nice crust, but anything beyond that, the slow cooker takes care of for you.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
LIQUID SMOKE – Liquid smoke adds a nice hint of smokiness without actually using a smoker. If liquid smoke isn’t an option for you, a good substitute is to replace the regular paprika with smoked paprika. But honestly, it’s not necessary unless you really want that smoked flavor.
ONIONS AND APPLES – These two things act as a “rack” on the bottom of the crock, elevating the ribs off the bottom, but they also infuse a lot of flavor and moisture to the pork.
BARBECUE SAUCE – The brand or style of barbecue sauce you use comes down to personal preference. You can make homemade Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce or purchase a bottle of your favorite sauce from the store. I want to say it doesn’t matter, but it really does when it comes to ribs. You want to use a sauce you enjoy the flavor of, because that’s one of the main flavor components here.
How to Make Slow Cooker Barbecued Country Style Ribs
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Mix the liquid smoke into the barbecue sauce and set aside.
- Layer onion on the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer the sliced apples over the onions.
- Mix all the rub ingredients together. Rub all over the ribs.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet. Brown the ribs on all sides. You may have to work in batches. Add remaining olive oil to the skillet if needed.
- To the slow cooker, add a layer of ribs (start with any that contain bones) on top of the apples and onions. Cover those ribs with about 1/3 cup of the barbecue sauce mixture, brushing on to cover the meat.
- Layer remaining ribs on top of the first layer and pour on the rest of the barbecue sauce. Use a brush to ensure all ribs are covered.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Country style pork ribs aren’t technically ribs, but rather a cut of pork similar to rib chops or pork shoulder. They’re better value compared to regular ribs, offering a substantial amount more meat on the bone.
Store any cooled leftover crockpot country style ribs in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the ribs in a baking dish basted with extra barbecue sauce. Cover with foil and reheat in a 300F oven for around 20-25 minutes.
Sure, if you’d like to make them in the oven, hop over to my country style ribs recipe for more information.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your slow cooker barbecued country style ribs with corn on the cob, mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, or potato salad. It’s comfort food’s finest!
More Ribs Recipes
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Slow Cooker Barbecued Country Style Ribs
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
For the Ribs
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 large onion sliced into rings
- 1 large apple sliced into rings
- 5 pounds country style pork ribs
- 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
The Rub
- 1 ½ Tablespoons paprika
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt finely ground
- 1 ½ teaspoons mustard powder
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- The brand or style of barbecue sauce you use comes down to personal preference. You can make homemade Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce or purchase a bottle of your favorite sauce from the store. I want to say it doesn’t matter, but it really does when it comes to ribs. You want to use a sauce you enjoy the flavor of, because that’s one of the main flavor components here.
-
If liquid smoke isn’t an option for you, a good substitute is to replace the regular paprika with smoked paprika. But honestly it’s not necessary unless you really want that smoked flavor.
Instructions
- Mix the liquid smoke into the barbecue sauce and set aside.1 teaspoon liquid smoke, 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Layer onion in the bottom of the slower cooker. Layer the sliced apples over the onions.1 large onion, 1 large apple
- Mix all the rub ingredients together. Rub all over the ribs.1 1/2 Tablespoons paprika, 1 Tablespoon sugar, 1 Tablespoon kosher salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard powder, 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 Tablespoon ground cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 Tablespoon granulated garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, 5 pounds country style pork ribs
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet. Brown the ribs on all sides. You may have to work in batches. Add remaining olive oil to the skillet if needed.2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
- To the slow cooker, add a layer of ribs (start with any that contain bones) on top of the apples and onions. Cover those ribs with about 1/3 cup of the barbecue sauce mixture, brushing on to cover the meat.
- Layer remaining ribs on top of the first layer and pour on the rest of the barbecue sauce. Use a brush to ensure all ribs are covered.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high 4-5 hours.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store any cooled leftover country style ribs in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the ribs in a baking dish basted with extra barbecue sauce. Cover with foil and reheat in a 300F oven for around 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on Jan 3, 2013 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
Amanda Davis
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Jenifer Moore says
I love me some BBQ Ribs and wanting to spice up my basic recipe and am excited to give yours a try.
Thanks for your recipe!
Amanda Formaro says
Hope you enjoy it Jenifer!
Danielle Poncedeleon says
These were OMG Good! I did Carmelize them like someone else suggested, which only needed 1 minute under the broiler after a brushing of the BBQ sauce ( I used Sweet Baby Rays). Make sure to top with the sauce in the crock pot, including the onion and apple. I served with sweet potatoe fries. Boil sweet potatoe for 20 minutes, peel, sprinkle with paprika and sea salt and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Great combo! Thank you for sharing! I still can’t get over how good these were!
Amanda Formaro says
I am so glad you enjoyed them Danielle! The secret is in the rub :) We’ve always loved these!
Sherry Rivera says
Hi! Amanda,
I just finished trying your recipe for the first time and it’s cooking; I will let you know what the family thinks. This recipe looks delicious! I can’t wait for dinner.
Amanda Formaro says
Hope you like it as much as we do!
Krista says
Hi! I have these in the crock pot now and it smells amazing! Do you recommend stirring the ribs at all or breaking them up before the time is up?
Amanda Formaro says
I’m sorry I didn’t see this earlier Krista! I hope you enjoyed them. I don’t break them up at all, I just lift them out of the crock and serve with a little more sauce :)
Michele says
Is there anything else I could use in place of the liquid smoke? Wanting to make these today, but not wanting to go to the grocery store..lol
Amanda Formaro says
The liquid smoke is optional Michele, you can leave it out :)
nicole says
These ribs r the best!!! My family absolutely loves them.
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Nicole! We love these too :)
Grace says
Made this over the weekend easy to prepare and delicious definitely a keeper
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Grace! I’ve made these over and over and over, definitely a favorite here!
Ruth says
Made this to nite, my husband said these were the best Country Ribs he ever ate!!!
Amanda Formaro says
That’s awesome Ruth, thank you!
Owens papaw says
Never thought of ribs in the slow cooker. I’m heading to the store to get set and I’ll let them cook overnight to serve during the game Saturday. Thanks, I’ll let you know how big a success they are.
Amanda Formaro says
Hope you enjoy them Owens!
Christina says
I made these for my family a few weeks ago and they were a SMASH hit! So tender they just fell apart! Delicious! Only problem was that I forgot to bookmark the recipe! They’ve been asking for them again and again! Took me a while to find it again! I am making a double batch tonight! These are amazing with a bourbon glaze BBQ sauce and quickly broiled just before serving to carmelize the sauce! Thanks for this wonderful recipe!
Amanda Formaro says
Glad you were able to find it again! Thanks for the reminder too, I need to make these again!
Elissa R says
I made this recipe yesterday (cooking overnight) for our lunch today. My husband have always said, he did not like or enjoyed ribs, but I do, and I have been craving some. When DH came home from work last night(around 11pm), the ribs were so tender already, he tried a little piece, and he couldn’t stop eating! He claimed he needed to test if they were seasoned enough. He told me today that those ribs are phenomenal! It changed his mind about ribs! This recipe is a keeper!
Thank you for sharing
Amanda Formaro says
That’s great to hear Elissa! I’m so glad you both enjoyed them as much as we do, it’s our favorite rib recipe for the slow cooker :)
Tricia says
I made these for dinner tonight & they were DELICIOUS!! Thanks for sharing the recipe:)))
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Tricia! So glad you liked them, they are a favorite here!
Culinary Cory says
Love ribs. I always forget about putting them in the slow cooker. It’s a tool I should use more often.
Donna K. says
Could you use babyback ribs?
Amanda says
I don’t see why not :)
Norma says
For babyback ribs, should they be browned as well? And would the cooking time be the same? Thanks
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Norma. Yes, still brown them and the cooking time should work for these too :) You can certainly check them on hour or so early, but don’t take the lid off unless you absolutely have to as it reduces the temperature inside the pot and takes a while for it to build back up again.
patsyk says
I haven’t made ribs in the slow cooker… but, knowing how my family loves them, I’m going to have to try it! We usually smoke ours, but with the cold months, that’s not happening as much as it does in the summer.
Sharon L says
I am definitely going to be making these.
Sue says
Sounds DELICIOUS! I love walking into the house and smelling such goodness coming from the crock pot:) Happy New Year, Amanda!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
My husband loves ribs but I don’t like the work of the recipe that I usually make. Definitely will have to try this crock pot recipe, so much easier!
tijuana (po' man meals) says
i am a HUGE rib lover. my dad took me to every rib place he could find looking for the best. the funny thing is his favorite place was called the ‘rib shack’! what kind of name is that? anyway, these ribs look so delicious! can’t wait to try! :)
Katrina says
Taylor was just telling me how much he loves ribs and asking when we’re ever going to have them. He would love these. And they do look delicious!
Katrina says
I just put this in the slow cooker. Happy people at dinner tonight!
Amanda Formaro says
I hope you guys liked it Katrina!