Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs

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This comforting Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs is prepped in five minutes using six ingredients. These boneless pork ribs are fork tender!

A plate of country style ribs with veggies.

At over a million views and countless positive recipe reviews, this pork recipe is one of my most popular recipes to date! Its simple steps, affordable ingredients and unmatched delicious flavors sets it apart from so many recipes. As these ribs cook low and slow, the marbled fat breaks down and creates an incredible tenderness and flavor!

On busy weekdays, my go-to dinner plan is a minimal effort, delicious crockpot recipe. If you like the zesty zing of ranch seasoning, you've got to try my slow cooker ranch country style ribs. Along with these slow cooker ribs, my family often requests Crockpot pork carnitas and Slow Cooker Pork Roast when we want to plan on an easy evening!

This is going to be your next favorite Crockpot meal! The meat is melt in your mouth tender! We love having ours in a dish by itself so that a big ladle of that rich broth poured on top!

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Quick to Assemble: Boneless country style ribs take less than 5-10 minutes to prepare before cooking in the Crockpot!
Budget Friendly Dinner: Of the meats for sale, pork shoulder/butt varieties of meat are often affordable and can go a long way!
Versatile Side Options: It's great with a variety of vegetable side dishes
Comfort Food Bliss: Country-style ribs are wholesome, rich in delicious flavors comfort food at its finest!

What are Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs

Boneless country style ribs are a cut of meat that is taken from the pork shoulder, not from the rib area as the name might suggest. Despite the name, they don't actually contain rib bones. Instead, they are sliced from the meatier portions of the pork shoulder, which is also known as the pork butt or Boston butt.

These ribs are well-marbled and consist of a combination of lean meat and fat, which makes them flavorful and juicy when cooked. Due to their meatiness and tenderness, they are a popular choice for grilling, baking, slow-cooking, or barbecuing.

Ingredients

Scroll down for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card.

Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Broth serves as the cooking medium and a flavor enhancer. It keeps these slow cooker ribs moist and prevents the them from drying out during cooking. Additionally, it forms the basis for a delicious sauce or gravy that can be drizzled over the ribs and vegetables when serving.
Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs: The star of the dish! These well-marbled, tender pieces of pork contribute a rich, meaty flavor and a satisfying chewiness to the dish. They absorb the flavors of the seasonings, broth, and vegetables during cooking.
Seasoning Salt Blend: Complements the natural flavors of the ribs and vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of tastes.
Vegetables (Baby Yellow Potatoes, Carrots, Onion): Adds texture, flavor, and visual appeal to the dish. They absorb the flavors of the cooking liquid and the pork, becoming tender and flavorful during the slow-cooking process.

Tools You'll Need

Kinder's The Blend or Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse Rub (optional)
8 Quart Crockpot
Large Skillet (optional) or Stovetop Safe Roaster
Whisk
Medium Saucepan
Vegetable Peeler
Chef's Knife

How to make Crock Pot Country Style Ribs

Season ribs on all sides with seasoning salt blend. Optional, sear 2-3 minutes on each in a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet on high heat.

To a Crockpot, add half of the broth and the ribs.

Add potatoes, carrots, and onion on top. Pour on the remaining broth, and season the veggies with the seasoning salt blend.

Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours.
Optional Step: If making gravy, transfer the meat and vegetables to a serving bowl and cover with aluminum foil. Skim the crockpot juices of any solids or excess fat. Carefully transfer the juices to a small saucepan.

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons each water and cornstarch. Add the mixture into the saucepan. Whisking continuously, bring the mixture to boil then lower the heat to simmer for 2-3 minutes. Serve the broth or gravy on the side.

A dish of country style ribs and vegetables.

Tips and Variations

The seasoning salt blend I use in this country style ribs recipe is Kinder's The Blend or Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse Rub, but many varieties will work great!
You can make the ribs by themselves, without the vegetables, and serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, or another favorite side item.
I prefer cooking slow cooker pork ribs on low for ultimate tenderness, but if you need to shorten the cooking time, high works great as well. Just test the pork with a fork pull to ensure it's tender and ready for serving.
The ribs are ready once it reaches an internal temperature of 190-200°F. At this point, the connective tissue has broken down and it'll be super tender. Crockpots can vary from model to model, so if you want to ensure it's ready, just stick a meat thermometer inside to confirm.
If you want to cut back on the fat content, you can trim away some of the fat. If you prefer a leaner pork cut, you can also use a top loin boneless roast cut into strips. The meat won't be as moist and pull apart tender but will have a similar flavor complex.
If you're making gravy, you can transfer the strained juices straight from the crockpot to the skillet or you can separate and remove the fat first.
- To make the gravy, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in small bowl. Whisk the mixture into a saucepan with the crockpot strained juices. Whisking continuously, bring then mixture a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer for 2-3 minutes.
You can repurpose this recipe by heating the leftovers in the initial way it was served. Or you could separate the meat from the vegetables and make ramen bowls, open-face sandwiches, soup or freeze it.

What to serve with Country Style Ribs

If you'd rather have a creamy potato than whole new potatoes, you can omit them from the original recipe and instead serve the ribs on my whipped mashed potatoes. Along with a gravy made from the crockpot juices, it's heaven!

There are a number of colorful side dishes you can pair with these ribs. Honey glazed Brussels sprouts, parmesan roasted cauliflower, crispy green beans or a simple house salad are all excellent options!

Storage and Freezing

Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator up to 5-7 days. I like separating the meat from the vegetables, but this is optional.

This recipe yields a lot of meat. While the leftovers are excellent, freezing works great as well. Simply place in an air-tight container and freeze up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of meat are country style ribs?

Boneless country style ribs are a cut of meat that are sliced from the meatier portions of the pork shoulder, which is also known as the pork butt or Boston butt.

Are country style ribs tough?

Country style ribs, whether bone-in or boneless, have the potential to be tough if not cooked properly. They are cut from the pork shoulder, which is a well-exercised muscle, and therefore, it contains a lot of connective tissue. When not cooked correctly, this connective tissue can make the meat tough and chewy.

Does cooking ribs longer make them more tender?

Country style ribs benefit from low and slow cooking methods like braising, slow-cooking, or smoking. These methods break down the collagen in the meat, making it tender.

Can you cook ribs too long in the crockpot?

Yes, you can overcook ribs in a crockpot, just as you can with any other cooking method. Slow-cooking ribs for too long can result in meat that's overly tender, falling apart, or even mushy.

How do I avoid overcooking crock pot country style ribs?

Follow the cooking times as specified in the recipe. If you're uncertain about the doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs. Pork ribs are safe to eat at 145°F (63°C). For ribs that are falling-off-the-bone tender but not mushy, you might aim for slightly higher internal temperatures, around 190-200°F (88-90°C).

Should ribs be completely covered in the slow cooker?

Country style ribs do not necessarily need to be completely submerged in liquid in the slow cooker. While some liquid is necessary to provide moisture and prevent the ribs from drying out, it's not essential for the ribs to be fully covered.

How long do slow cooker country style pork ribs take in the slow cooker?

Low Heat (Recommended for Most Tender Results):
Boneless Country Style Ribs: Approximately 6 to 8 hours on low heat.
Bone-In Country Style Ribs: Approximately 7 to 9 hours on low heat.

High Heat (Faster Cooking, Less Tender):
Boneless Country Style Ribs: Approximately 3 to 4 hours on high heat.
Bone-In Country Style Ribs: Approximately 4 to 5 hours on high heat.

What does searing the pork ribs first do for the end-product?

Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a Crockpot isn't 100 percent necessary, but it does enhance the meat's color, textures, and flavors.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten free. Ensure the seasoning blend brand you use is gluten-free.

What is a seasoning salt blend?

There are many varieties of seasoning salt blends on the market. They're a mixture of various spices, herbs, and salt that is used to enhance the flavor of dishes. The seasoning salt blend I used in this recipe is Kinder's The Blend or Kinder's Buttery Steakhouse Rub, but many varieties will work great!

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