These incredibly tender, melt in your mouth BBQ Country Style Pork Ribs take comfort food to a new level! Use your slow cooker or Instant Pot for a dependably delicious result every time.
If you love a rack of ribs that has been grilled and slathered with BBQ sauce but you don’t love the price tag, stay with me. These BBQ Country Style Pork Ribs are meaty, deliciously seasoned and cooked to perfection in either your slow cooker or Instant Pot. Whichever method you choose, you’ll end up with a fork tender result that will absolutely satisfy your craving for ribs anytime of year.
I love my brother Jim’s recipe for Grilled Country Style Ribs in the summer months but this recipe allows you to enjoy this tasty cut regardless of the weather.
Table of contents
Ingredient Notes
- Boneless pork country style ribs: This inexpensive cut is usually easy to find at most grocery stores. My local Costco carries them in a large package for a great price. See below for more details on this cut.
- Onion: A large yellow onion
- BBQ sauce: Your favorite brand.
- Soy sauce: Reduced sodium is always the best choice.
- Liquid smoke: A little goes a long way to add great smoky flavor to recipes like this. It is totally worth the cost to keep this item stocked in your pantry.
- Smoky pork spice rub: This is flavorful mix contains smoked paprika, granulated garlic (or garlic powder), onion powder, brown sugar, cumin, salt, freshly ground black pepper and a little cayenne pepper.
What are Country Style Ribs?
Boneless country style ribs are a budget-friendly cut of pork with a taste and texture similar to rib meat. Despite their name, they aren’t actually from the rib at all but instead are from or near the shoulder. This cut is highly marbled and has great flavor and since they typically come boneless, they are very meaty. Low and slow cooking in a Crock-Pot or pressure cooking will render them moist and fork tender.
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Country Style Pork Ribs
- Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and if large, cut them into serving size pieces (5 to 6-inches each). Combine the ingredients for the Smoky Pork Spice Rub and sprinkle it over the ribs, coating all sides. Add BBQ sauce, soy sauce, water, and liquid smoke to a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
- Place onion chunks on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker and place the seasoned ribs on top.
- Pour the sauce over the top, coating the tops of the ribs. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until very tender but not falling apart.
- Preheat your oven to broil. Use tongs to transfer the cooked ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Brush them generously with additional BBQ sauce – don’t hold back! Give them a nice coating.
- Broil the ribs to brown and caramelize the sauce and they are ready to serve.
Instant Pot BBQ Country Style Ribs
- Follow the steps set forth above to prep the ribs, make the Smoky Pork Spice Rub and the sauce.
- Place the onion chunks on the bottom of the Instant Pot insert and place the seasoned ribs on top. Pour the sauce over the top, coating the tops of the ribs.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 35 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes and then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Finish under the broiler as detailed in last step of Slow Cooker instructions.
Make it a Freezer Meal
- Cut and season the ribs and prepare the sauce as directed in the recipe. Transfer the uncooked seasoned ribs to a freezer-safe plastic storage bag and pour the sauce over the top. Remove as much air as possible from the bag, seal, and label it. Transfer the bag to the freezer and use within 4 to 5 months for the best quality.
- When you are ready to cook the ribs, allow them to thaw safely in your refrigerator overnight and then proceed with the recipe, as directed for either the slow cooker or Instant Pot method.
Serving Suggestions
The luscious sauce and the fork tender quality of these BBQ Country Style Ribs practically requires mashed potatoes as far as I’m concerned. I love to serve them with Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes and a simple veggie side like steamed broccoli or green beans.
More great side dish choices:
- Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
- Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
- Skillet Corn with Jalapeno
- Sweet Baked Acorn Squash
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BBQ Country Style Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 3½ to 4 pounds boneless pork country style ribs
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into 6 chunks
- 2 cups BBQ Sauce, divided
- ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke, optional but highly recommended
Smoky Pork Spice Rub
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and if large, cut down into serving size pieces (5 to 6-inches each). Combine the seasoning mix in a small bowl and sprinkle it over the ribs, coating all sides.
- Add 1 cup BBQ sauce, soy sauce, water, and liquid smoke to a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Place the onion chunks on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker and place the seasoned ribs on top. Pour the sauce over the top, coating the tops of the ribs.
- Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until very tender but not falling apart.
- Use tongs to transfer the ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush them generously with additional BBQ sauce (a nice, thick layer), and broil until nicely browned (no need to flip).
Instant Pot Instructions
- Place the onion chunks on the bottom of the Instant Pot insert and place the seasoned ribs on top. Pour the sauce over the top, coating the tops of the ribs.
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 35 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes and then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Finish the ribs under the broiler as detailed in last step of Slow Cooker instructions.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
More Yummy Slow Cooker Dinners
I’ve made this recipe several times now. I used country ribs and thick pork chops and my instant pot and they have come out fantastic. My husband loves them. Definitely give the recipe a 5.
I made these before and making them again. They came out excellent and the hubby loved them. His words ” it’s a keeper. I used sugar free bbq sauce. Only change.
So quick & easy to follow & came out perfect! . I was a bit concerned with so little liquid in an 8 qt pot, but didn’t burn. Meat fell apart. Sauce was fatty so put it in the fridge over night & remove it next day. I’m not a huge fan of BBQ sauce so skipped the additional sauce under the broiler. Will def make again!
I made these ribs and they were delicious! I double wrapped baking potatoes in heavy tin foil, and placed them on the sides of the ribs! Every thing was done in one slow cooker! Tossed salad and steamed broccoli completely this easy peasy dinner!
I’m so glad the recipe worked out for you, Karen! Great tip on the potatoes. Thanks so much for your comment. 🙂