country style ribs crock pot recipe
The Best country style ribs crock pot recipe
Country style ribs in the crock pot is the recipe I come back to more than any other when I want something hearty without spending my afternoon in the kitchen. Country style ribs are not actually ribs at all, they come from the pork shoulder, and that is exactly why they work so well in a slow cooker. The meat gets tender enough to pull apart with a fork after a few hours on low, and the sauce thickens up around it while it cooks. I put everything in the pot in the morning and dinner is basically handled.
My kids ask for this one by name, which says a lot because they are picky about meat. The ribs come out soft and mild, not spicy, so I can serve them as they are and put hot sauce on the table for the adults who want it. My husband piles his over rice and I usually make a pan of cornbread or a bag of frozen vegetables to go with it. It works for a normal Tuesday just as well as it works for a crowd on game day, and I have made it for both.
On the health side, pork shoulder gives you a solid amount of protein in each serving, and cooking it slow in liquid means you are not adding a lot of extra fat to get the meat tender. I brown the ribs first when I have time because it builds flavor, but skipping that step still gives you a good result. I keep the sauce on the lighter side by using a little less sugar than most recipes call for, and nobody at my table has ever noticed.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
Country style ribs turn fork-tender after a long, slow braise in a tangy-sweet barbecue sauce. The crock pot does almost all the work, so you can set it in the morning and come back to a saucy, pull-apart dinner.
🥘Ingredients
For the Ribs
For the Sauce
For Serving
👨🍳Directions
🔧Equipment
📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)
📝Notes
Watch Video Of How Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs Works
This crock pot country style ribs recipe is one I come back to all the time because it feeds a crowd without keeping me in the kitchen all day. The meat comes out tender and saucy with just a few minutes of prep, and it holds up well on a buffet table for family gatherings or a casual weekend dinner. Whether it is a holiday, a birthday, or just Sunday supper, it is an easy yes for any occasion.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
1. Are country-style ribs actually ribs?
Not exactly. Country-style ribs are cut from the pork shoulder, near where it meets the loin, so they usually contain no rib bones at all. Some packages include a small blade bone, but most are sold boneless. They cook up meaty and fork-tender, which is why they work so well in a slow cooker.
2. How long should country-style ribs cook in a crock pot?
Plan on six to eight hours on low or three to four hours on high. The ribs are done when a fork slides in with almost no resistance and the meat starts to pull apart at the edges. Boneless cuts sometimes finish closer to the five-hour mark on low, so start checking early the first time you make them.
3. Do I need to brown the ribs before putting them in the slow cooker?
It is optional. A quick sear in a hot skillet adds deeper color and a bit more flavor, but skipping it will not ruin the dish. If you do brown them, work in batches so the pan stays hot and the meat browns instead of steaming.
4. How much liquid do I need in the crock pot?
Less than you might expect. Country-style ribs release a lot of juices as they cook, so a half cup to one cup of sauce, broth, or a mix of both is usually plenty for a standard batch. Adding too much liquid dilutes the sauce and leaves you with a thin braise instead of a glossy glaze.
5. Can I thicken the sauce at the end?
Yes. Once the ribs are out, skim off any excess fat, then stir a slurry of one tablespoon cornstarch and two tablespoons cold water into the cooking liquid. Turn the slow cooker to high and let it bubble for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until it coats the back of a spoon. Spoon it over the ribs before serving.
