Here’s my go-to recipe for crock pot boneless BBQ pork ribs, with tender meat that just falls apart, a simple homemade sauce, and only 10 minutes of prep time needed.
These ribs have become my family’s favorite Sunday dinner option. I love that I can just set them up in the morning and have them ready by dinner time. And the best part? There’s usually enough for sandwiches the next day!
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Pork Ribs
- Effortless preparation – Just mix the seasonings, add everything to your slow cooker, and let it work its magic – no complicated techniques or constant monitoring needed.
- Fall-off-the-bone tender – The low and slow cooking method turns these country-style ribs into melt-in-your-mouth meat that’s perfectly tender every time.
- Basic ingredients – You’ll only need a handful of pantry staples and your favorite BBQ sauce to make these ribs taste amazing.
- Great for busy days – While it takes several hours to cook, your actual hands-on time is minimal – perfect for those days when you can’t stand over the stove.
- Feed a crowd – With 3 pounds of meat, this recipe makes enough to feed your whole family or have leftovers for the next day.
What Kind of Country-Style Ribs Should I Use?
Country-style ribs aren’t actually ribs at all – they’re cut from the blade end of the pork loin, near the shoulder. You’ll typically find them either boneless or bone-in at the meat counter, and either type will work great for this recipe. When shopping, look for pieces that have good marbling (those little streaks of fat) throughout the meat, as this will help keep them moist during the long cooking time. If you’re buying them from the butcher counter, ask for pieces that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Just remember that if they come in really large chunks, you might want to cut them into smaller, more manageable pieces before cooking.
Options for Substitutions
This easy BBQ pork recipe can be adapted with several substitutions if needed:
- Country-style ribs: While country-style ribs are perfect for this recipe, you can use pork shoulder (Boston butt) cut into large chunks, or even pork loin – just keep in mind that pork loin will be a bit leaner and might not be quite as tender.
- Barbecue sauce: Any store-bought BBQ sauce works great here, or you can make your own by mixing ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and your favorite seasonings. Just make sure to use a sauce you really enjoy, as it’s a key flavor in this dish.
- Dry mustard powder: Out of mustard powder? Use 1 tablespoon of prepared Dijon mustard instead, or regular yellow mustard in a pinch.
- Smoked paprika: Regular paprika can work, but you’ll miss out on that smoky flavor. To make up for it, add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke or chipotle powder to the mix.
- Fresh garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of fresh garlic called for in the recipe.
- Cayenne pepper: You can swap this with red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or simply leave it out if you prefer less heat in your dishes.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when cooking crock pot ribs is skipping the crucial step of trimming excess fat – while some fat adds flavor, too much will make your sauce greasy and unappetizing. Another common error is lifting the lid too frequently during cooking, which releases heat and can add up to 30 minutes of extra cooking time each time you peek. To get the most flavor from your ribs, don’t forget to brown them before placing them in the slow cooker – this quick step creates a delicious caramelized exterior and deeper flavor profile. For the best texture, avoid overcrowding your crock pot as this can lead to uneven cooking – arrange the ribs in a single layer if possible, or stack them carefully along the sides. Finally, if you want that authentic BBQ finish, consider placing the ribs under the broiler for 3-5 minutes after slow cooking to create that appealing caramelized exterior.
What to Serve With BBQ Pork Ribs?
These tender, saucy BBQ pork ribs are begging to be paired with some classic Southern sides! Creamy coleslaw or macaroni salad adds a cool, crunchy contrast to the rich meat, while baked beans make the perfect hearty companion. For a complete comfort food spread, add some buttery corn on the cob or a warm skillet of cornbread to soak up all that delicious BBQ sauce. If you want to balance out the meal with something green, a simple mixed salad or some roasted broccoli works great on the side.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These tender BBQ ribs will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two as the meat continues to soak up all that yummy sauce!
Freeze: Got leftovers? These ribs freeze really well! Just place them in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with some of the sauce and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them in portion sizes that work for my family.
Warm Up: To bring these ribs back to their saucy glory, warm them up in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, covered with foil. You can also use the microwave, but the oven method helps keep the meat more tender. Add a splash of BBQ sauce before reheating if you want them extra saucy!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 240-480 minutes |
| Total Time | 250-495 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2600-3000
- Protein: 210-240 g
- Fat: 160-180 g
- Carbohydrates: 120-140 g
Ingredients
For the ribs:
- 3 lb boneless country-style ribs (cut into 2-inch chunks)
For the rub:
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked for more flavor)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp dry mustard powder
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic (freshly minced for best aroma)
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp smoked paprika (gives a rich, smoky flavor)
For the sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s Original)
Step 1: Prepare the Ribs and Seasoning
Start by placing the country-style ribs into a slow cooker.
Add a generous amount of mustard, followed by cayenne, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic.
Toss the ribs in the slow cooker to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasoning.
Press the seasoning gently into the ribs to enhance the flavor.
Step 2: Add BBQ Sauce
Once the ribs are well-seasoned, pour BBQ sauce over them to fully cover the meat.
This will help infuse the ribs with a rich, tangy taste as they cook slowly.
Step 3: Cook the Ribs
Set the slow cooker to low and allow the ribs to cook for 6 to 8 hours for the best, tender results.
If you prefer a quicker cooking time, you can set the slow cooker to high and cook the ribs for 4 to 6 hours, though the meat will be less tender.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Once cooked, transfer the ribs to a serving dish.
Pour extra BBQ sauce from the slow cooker pot over the ribs for added flavor.
If you desire a caramelized finish, you can broil the ribs in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce is bubbling.
Allow the ribs to rest for about 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and make the dish easier to handle.
Enjoy your succulent, flavor-packed country-style ribs!
