The Ultimate Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
It IS possible to enjoy ribs for a weeknight dinner – no grill or prep required! Country style ribs are an easy, family-friendly option using only 3 ingredients. Add them to the slow cooker in the morning and savor the tender, juicy meat right around dinnertime!
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What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Country style ribs are a kid favorite with the combined sweetness of apricot preserves and BBQ sauce. They are also so much easier to eat than bone-in ribs and keep the mess to a minimum.
- This cut of meat is perfect for slow cooking since it gets very tender when cooked on low. It’s why I call them the ultimate ribs for the slow cooker!
- Choose your favorite BBQ sauce to slather over the ribs in the slow cooker for a rich and delicious result. The apricot preserves add the best sticky-sweetness and keep the sauces on the meat.
- Country style ribs are nice and meaty, which is helpful when planning a meal for several people. You also won’t end up with as much waste as ribs on the bone.
- You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy some good ol’ BBQ ribs. The slow cooker makes it simple to enjoy your favorite flavors without all the extra work!
Ingredients Needed
- Pork country-style boneless ribs – Country style ribs are actually from the pork loin or shoulder area. The pieces are cut to resemble rib meat but are not actually connected to a rib by a membrane. This cut of meat can be very tender and cooks well in the slow cooker.
- BBQ sauce – You may prefer to stay loyal to a specific brand or regional style of BBQ sauce. Go for it – any kind will work for this recipe! I chose to use a sauce with reduced sugar content to help prevent burning around the edges of the slow cooker and just for my overall meal preference.
- Apricot preserves – Use ½ cup of apricot preserves from your favorite brand. I prefer a no-sugar-added version here as well. You could also try blackberry preserves to pair well with the flavors of the BBQ sauce.
How To Make Country Style Ribs In The Slow Cooker
- Add ribs to the slow cooker.
- Mix together BBQ sauce and apricot preserves.
- Pour half of the mixture over the ribs and save the rest in an airtight container in the fridge to use for serving later.
- Cook on low for 8 hours until cooked through.
- Brush on the remaining sauce and serve.
Pro Tips
- It is best to stick with sauces and preserves that contain reduced or no-added sugar to prevent any burning in the slow cooker.
- Use a thicker BBQ sauce to prevent excess liquid in the dish, and don’t add additional liquid. There should be lots of fat in the slow cooker with these ribs (it helps them stay nice and juicy!).
- Make sure to check ingredient labels on sauces and preserves to ensure they are gluten and/or dairy-free if you need those restrictions.
- To get the juiciest ribs, it’s important that they have cooked long enough. Depending on individual slow cookers and cuts of meat, the ribs may cook between 7-9 hours on low.
- Cook to 165 ℉ for firmer ribs or up to 205 ℉ for fall-apart tender rib meat.
- This recipe is super simple to make, but it is important to plan enough time for the ribs to cook sufficiently on the low setting to get the best results.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
My country style ribs recipe is designed to keep it simple! By using a jar of preserves and your favorite BBQ sauce, you really don’t need anything else to get amazing flavor.
However, depending on your sauce, you may wish to season it more. Try just one or a combination of garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance the sauces and create a stronger flavor.
Whatever BBQ sauce you choose – spicy, sweet, or flavored – be sure it is thick (not runny). Many store-bought bottles will indicate the thickness on the label.
Feel free to swap out flavors of preserves and customize them to your liking. You can also use a thick, seedless jam. Blueberry, grape, and peach are all flavors that can easily complement BBQ sauce.
How To Serve Country Style Ribs
Serve country style ribs with anything that meets your BBQ cravings! Mac and cheese, a Hawaiian roll, Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes, or Slow Cooker Corn On The Cob are all staples for a BBQ-themed spread.
The ribs are also delicious chopped or shredded and served hot over rice or cold in a hearty salad or wrap.
Storing and Reheating
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Enjoy them again by reheating back in the slow cooker on low with a little extra sauce. You can also reheat them in the microwave on a low-power setting to prevent overcooking or toughness.
The Ultimate Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds pork country style boneless ribs
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves no sugar added preferred
Instructions
- Add ribs to the slow cooker
- Mix together BBQ sauce and apricot preserves
- Pour half of the mixture over the ribs and save the rest in an airtight container in the fridge to use for serving later
- Cook on low for 8 hours until cooked through
- Brush on the remaining sauce and serve
Notes
- Store leftover ribs in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat again in the slow cooker on low with extra sauce or in the microwave on reduced power.
- Cook ribs to 165 ℉ for firmer texture or up to 205 ℉ for fall-apart tender results.
- For the best and most tender results, cook on low between 7-9 hours. If necessary, the high setting will also work at least 4 hours.
- Use a thick BBQ sauce and low-sugar sauce and preserves to reduce the opportunity for burning.
Nutrition
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs FAQs
- What is the difference between pork ribs and country style ribs? The difference is in the cut of the meat. Pork ribs can include several different types, but all will be meat from the rib bones. Country style ribs are cut from the loin or shoulder into pieces that resemble the portions and sizes of pork ribs.
- Is it better to cook slow cooker country style ribs on low or high? For the best and most tender results cook long and slow on the low setting. They will also cook on high but may not be as tender.
- Should ribs be covered in liquid in a slow cooker? Ribs do not need to be covered in liquid. Only add the BBQ sauce and preserves – no additional liquid is needed!
- Do country style ribs get more tender the longer they cook? In general, yes. Country style ribs will get more tender the longer they cook and will be easy to shred or fall apart when cooked up to 205 ℉. After reaching the desired temperature and doneness, turn off the heat or remove from the slow cooker to prevent overcooking.
All I have is a jar if grape jelly and a jar of orange marmalade. Which should I use for this recipe? I’m thinking probably the orange marmalade?
The grape jelly will make them sweeter and the orange marmalade will have a more bitter component so either will work depending on what flavor profile you prefer! I’d probably go with the grape!
How long do you cook the ribs for if you cook them on high?
I definitely recommend cooking on low for best results, but if you want to give it a try on high the general rule is 1/2 of the cooking time on low. So 3.5 – 4.5 hours. But keep an eye on them and the temp!
Wondering if anyone has finished these on the grill for appearance and a bit of smoke flavor?
Can you use bone-in ribs? That’s all that was available at the store.
Yes, cooking will be a bit different but you can use the same sauce. You will need to remove the membrane and then watch the cook time until they are cooked through and tender.
How long would I cook a pound and a half of ribs?
It will depend a bit on the size of the slow cooker, but likely around 6-8 hours on low.
Ooohh when did you start…where did you reach..i’m reading this too
I love the mix of apricots with BBQ sauce. Such an easy dinner that is so tasty!
It’s such an easy flavor combo!
This is such a great recipe and they will be devoured at my house!
Thanks! They are so easy and so tasty!
I’ve never used Apricot preserves before, is there something else I could use, I don’t have any in the house? Does it change the taste a lot? Do you think mixing a spicy bbq sauce with a sweet bbq sauce would taste okay?e never cook ribs in the crock pot before, I usually cook them on the stove, then sauce them and broil them in oven. They don’t always get tender?
Yes, you could certainly just to bbq sauce or try another flavor of jam or preserves.