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Crock-Pot Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs — Tender, Flavorful & Easy
If you love fall-apart tender meat with minimal prep and maximum flavor, these Crock-Pot Boneless Country-Style Pork Ribs are a must-make dinner. This inexpensive cut of pork becomes juicy and rich after hours in the slow cooker, and finishing them under the broiler with BBQ sauce gives them a beautiful caramelized finish.
Country-style pork ribs aren’t actually ribs — they’re cut from the shoulder, meaning more meat and less bone. They’re a great budget-friendly option that responds incredibly well to slow, low heat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Hands-off cooking: Just season and slow cook — the crock pot does the rest.
Deep, rich flavor: Brown sugar and seasonings meld into the pork as it cooks.
Tender every time: Slow, low heat makes the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Optional crispy finish: Broiling with BBQ sauce gives gorgeous caramelization.
Customizable: Switch up your favorite seasonings or barbecue sauce to make it your own.
Ingredients
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3–4 lbs boneless country-style pork ribs
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3 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning (or your favorite seasoning blend)
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¼ cup chicken broth (or substitute water, beer, or soda)
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½ cup barbecue sauce (plus extra for finishing)
How to Make Crock-Pot Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs
1. Prep the Ribs:
Place the boneless country-style pork ribs in the slow cooker. This cut is thicker and meatier than traditional ribs, so no trimming is usually necessary.
2. Season:
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and Cajun (or Creole) seasoning. Sprinkle this seasoning evenly over the ribs.
3. Add Liquid:
Pour the chicken broth (or liquid of your choice) around the ribs in the slow cooker. This helps keep the meat moist as it cooks.
4. Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on low for 8–9 hours or high for 5–6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart. Slow, low heat yields the most tender results.
5. Finish with BBQ Sauce (Optional but Delicious):
Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a broiler pan or baking sheet. Brush generously with your favorite BBQ sauce, then broil 2–4 minutes until the sauce bubbles and begins to caramelize and slightly char.
6. Serve & Enjoy:
Serve the ribs hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side, and pair with mashed potatoes, rice, cornbread, or steamed veggies for the perfect comfort meal.
Pro Tips for Best Results
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Low & Slow: Cooking on low ensures the connective tissue breaks down and keeps the meat juicy.
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Broiler Finish: Broiling with BBQ sauce at the end boosts flavor and texture — but keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn.
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Liquid Choice: If you don’t have broth, even soda like cola or root beer can add sweetness and help tenderize the meat.
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Seasoning Variations: Try smoked paprika, black pepper, or chili flakes for a spicier twist.
Crock-Pot Boneless Country Style Ribs
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs boneless country-style ribs
- 3 Tbs brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp creole or cajun seasoning
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (or liquid of your choice)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Place boneless country-style ribs in the slow cooker.
- Mix the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and creole or cajun seasoning together. Sprinkle on top of boneless pork ribs.
- Add 1/4 cup of liquid.
- Cook for 8-9 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker, place on a broiler pan, brush with barbeque sauce, and broil for 2-4 minutes until the bbq sauce bubbles and caramelizes.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
These ribs are fantastic served family-style or pulled apart and tossed in extra sauce. Pair them with:
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Garlic mashed potatoes or creamy polenta
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Cornbread or dinner rolls
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Coleslaw or sautéed green beans
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Pickles or baked beans
Storage & Reheating
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Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Freezer: Freeze cooked ribs in freezer-safe bags for up to 2–3 months — thaw in the fridge before reheating.
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Reheat: Warm in the oven at 300°F for 15–20 minutes or in the microwave until heated through.
These Crock-Pot Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs are a simple, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeks or weekend meals when you want big flavor with minimal effort.
- SLOW COOKER LINERS: This package contains six Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, each measuring 13 x 21 inches to fit 3- to 8-quart round and oval slow cookers
- EASY CLEANUP: These strong, reliable slow cooker bags shorten your slow cooker cleanup to eight seconds or less, guaranteed
- NO SOAKING OR SCRUBBING: Line your slow cooker with these slow cooker bags to prevent stubborn, stuck-on messes
- BPA-FREE & SAFE FOR HIGH TEMPS: Each slow cooker bag is made with a BPA-free nylon-blend construction that’s safe for low, medium & high settings
- MAKE MEALS EASY: Use a Reynolds slow cooker liner next time you make chili, pulled pork, pot roasts, soups & more to spend less time scrubbing & more time with your loved ones
- SLOW COOKER LINERS: This package contains twenty Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, each measuring 13 x 21 inches to fit 3- to 8-quart round and oval slow cookers
- EASY CLEANUP: These strong, reliable slow cooker bags shorten your slow cooker cleanup to eight seconds or less, guaranteed
- NO SOAKING OR SCRUBBING: Line your slow cooker with these slow cooker bags to prevent stubborn, stuck-on messes
- BPA-FREE & SAFE FOR HIGH TEMPS: Each slow cooker bag is made with a BPA-free nylon-blend construction that’s safe for low, medium & high settings
- MAKE MEALS EASY: Use a Reynolds slow cooker liner next time you make chili, pulled pork, pot roasts, soups & more to spend less time scrubbing & more time with your loved ones
- Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that comfortably serves 9+ people or fits a 7-pound roast
- Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking settings, with convenient warm function for ideal serving temperature
- Convenient: Set it and forget it feature enables you to cook while at work or performing daily tasks
- Minimal Clean-Up: One-pot cooking reduces dishes; lid and removable stoneware are dishwasher safe
- Versatile: Removable stoneware insert can be used in the microwave or an oven up to 400°F
- Cooking Capacity: Prepares food for over 10 people, making it a holiday dinner hosting essential.
- Digital Timer: Counts down cooking time up to 20 hours for easy monitoring.
- Auto Warm: Automatically keeps food warm after cooking for optimal serving temperature.
- Easy Cleanup: Features a removable, dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware pot for convenient cleaning.
- Memory Function: Resets to previous settings in case of a power outage.
