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The easiest country style ribs you will EVER make. Prep these Slow Cooker Boneless Pork Ribs recipe in about 5 minutes and come back hours later to melt in your mouth BBQ ribs! Dinner doesn't get any more simple than this!
I was recently blown away when I found out there was such a thing as boneless pork ribs. But, HOW, I thought. Really, how?
Technically the cut of pork called "country style ribs" are not actually ribs, but they are in fact boneless much of the time. They are rib-like cuts of meat, and have a similar texture and flavor to ribs.
So these slow cooker ribs are a great option for when we don't want the hassle but we want that finger licking good meal the whole family will love!
And if you love pork, try these Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops, Lemon Pepper Pork Chops or Pork Teriyaki recipe!
Why You Will Love This BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs Recipe:
- They are so simple to make compared to traditional ribs. I find the country style ribs so simple to handle compared to a large slab and are nothing but a matter of adding a nice rub and some BBQ sauce and then walking away from the slow cooker until dinner.
- Only 5 minutes to prep. This is the bonus. Minimal effort and minimal time to prepare this recipe and you still get fork tender ribs. Almost sounds too good to be true, but it's not. Toss all the ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low heat. Dinner will be ready and waiting when you come back in about 8 hours!
- Easy to vary. Since you are able to use your own BBQ sauce, you can easily make this boneless pork ribs recipe once a week and never make it exactly the same! You can also change up some of the seasoning slightly to vary. Side dishes you serve can be different too!
What Are Country Style Ribs?
Country-style ribs are technically not ribs at all! They are actually from the pork shoulder or blade end near the shoulder. Boneless pork ribs are a very budget friendly cut of meat and easy to cook so are a great option for many families.
They have a nice marbling and great flavor too. The country style ribs taken from the shoulder are typically a bit fattier than those taken from the loin but both are great tasting. Lots of great ways to cook them including slow cooking, braising, grilling and you can even put them in the Instant Pot!
Recipe Ingredients:
- boneless pork ribs: these are called country-style ribs at the grocery. They are typically boneless cuts of meat when you find them in the grocery, but sometimes you will see them with bones. Either is fine, I have made this recipe with both! I also find that the ribs that still have bones tend to be longer versus the boneless which usually come in shorter cuts.
- garlic: minced garlic cloves are ideal. If you don't have any on hand, opt for ½ - ¾ teaspoon garlic powder.
- seasoning: salt, pepper, ground mustard, paprika and cayenne pepper. You can opt out of the cayenne if you don't want a kick. Or go extra light if desired. Most often we use regular paprika, but smoked paprika gives these boneless ribs a nice flavor as well.
- BBQ sauce: My favorite barbecue sauce that we use almost every time we make anything that calls for a BBQ sauce is Stubb's Original (not sponsored). If it was cool to drink BBQ sauce, I would do it! You can make your own BBQ sauce if desired, but this is meant to be a super simple and customizable recipe so you can easily use what is in your pantry!
- other optional ingredients: to vary these BBQ boneless ribs, you can add a sprinkle of brown sugar, a pinch of chili powder, some onion powder, or red pepper flakes.
How to make this recipe:
Seriously, this is one of my favorite "dump and go" meals. Simple ingredients, and simple to prepare. The best!
- Place the meat in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the garlic, spices and seasonings over the ribs and toss gently to allow the spices to coat the ribs as a dry rub.
- Pour the BBQ sauce over the ribs to cover.
- Cover and cook on low for about 6-8 hours (low is preferred, but you could do high 4-6 hours) and come back to perfect, melt in your mouth slow cooker boneless pork ribs! Cooking time can vary but you will know your ribs are ready when they easily apart when twisting with a fork.
Recipe Notes:
- You can eat these boneless country style pork ribs with a fork easily. They fall apart nicely. If you don't touch or stir them until you are ready to eat, you should also be able to eat them with your hands. Up to you. You can break them into chunks and add the meat on a bun as well.
- If the meat is still tough, it is likely not done. Do not worry about over cooking your pork in this recipe. If you are cooking on low, they will turn out fork tender, melt in your mouth, so just wait a bit longer if they are still not easily breaking apart.
- For best results, cook this recipe on low temperature setting. If you can cook these on low, please do. There is NOTHING like slow, and I mean slow cooked pork. They say the best that comes to those who wait and that is 100% true in this case.
- Broil the ribs before serving with extra BBQ sauce if desired. One way to really make these country ribs even better is to remove from the crockpot before serving and smothering with extra sauce. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes until the sauce starts to bubble. Amazing!
Storage Instructions:
For best results, store any leftovers in an airtight container, on the shallow side if possible to allow the pork to sit in the juices and extra BBQ sauce. These boneless pork ribs will keep for about 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, air fryer or slow cooker. Add extra sauce when serving leftovers.
To freeze leftovers, allow them to cool completely. Store in an air tight freezer safe container, again in some of the sauce and juices if possible. This recipe can be frozen for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With This Boneless Pork Ribs Recipe:
- We always love mac and cheese with our country style ribs. This Instant Pot mac and cheese recipe is our go to but cheddar gruyere mac and cheese as well as protein cheesy mac are both fan favorites.
- Potatoes are always great as well! One favorite is to pair this recipe with crispy air fryer potato wedges. These garlic parmesan mashed potatoes or smoky sweet potato fries are great options. Or maybe this cajun potato salad?
- Don't forget some veggies! A nice salad enhances any meal so this grilled zucchini pasta salad, shaved brussels sprout salad or a nice Spring green salad would work. Roasted garlic parmesan green beans or air fried broccoli could add a nice touch!
More Pork Recipes:
- Pork Tacos
- Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin
- Maple Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops
- Pulled Pork Nachos
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
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Slow Cooker Boneless BBQ Country Style Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 lb. country style ribs
- 1 ½ c BBQ Sauce
- 2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, more or less to taste
Instructions
- Place country style ribs in a slow cooker. Add mustard, cayenne, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic and toss to evenly coat the meat. Press the seasoning gently into the ribs. Pour the BBQ sauce over top of the meat to cover.
- Cook ribs for 6-8 hours on low for best results until easily falling apart with a fork. Transfer to serving dish and cover with extra BBQ sauce from the slow cooker pot. You can broil them for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is bubbling if desired. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes before digging in!
- The meat will not come out as tender, but you can cook on high for 4-6 hours.
Notes
- You can eat these boneless country style pork ribs with a fork easily. They fall apart nicely. If you don't touch or stir them until you are ready to eat, you should also be able to eat them with your hands. Up to you. You can break them into chunks and add the meat on a bun as well.
- If the meat is still tough, it is likely not done. Do not worry about over cooking your pork in this recipe. If you are cooking on low, they will turn out fork tender, melt in your mouth, so just wait a bit longer if they are still not easily breaking apart.
- For best results, cook this recipe on low temperature setting. If you can cook these on low, please do. There is NOTHING like slow, and I mean slow cooked pork. They say the best that comes to those who wait and that is 100% true in this case.
- Broil the ribs before serving with extra BBQ sauce if desired. One way to really make these country ribs even better is to remove from the crockpot before serving and smothering with extra sauce. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes until the sauce starts to bubble. Amazing!
Nutrition
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Joni says
How long do you cook? In one spot it says 4 hours and in another it says 6-8 hours
Lorie says
Hi, it is 4 to 6 hours on high and 6 to 8 hours on low it will depend on what setting you use. Enjoy!!
Irene says
Must they be cooled before putting in the fridge?
Lorie says
I usually allow them to cool slightly if putting in a plastic container but no, you can put them in very soon after making them.
Irene says
Did anyone brown the ribs before cooking?
Lorie says
Hi! I haven’t browned mine but you could sear them for just a minute or two on each side if desired.
Frank says
Are you using a slow cooker or a crock pot? There is a difference.
Lorie says
Hi! We have always used the term slow cooker and crockpot interchangeably. I am using an actual crock pot when looking at the actual terms for the two!
Valerie Vincent says
Can I use bone-in ribs for this, any changes to recipe?
Lorie says
Hi! You should be ok honestly. Just make sure to cut off the membrane. Lay the ribs in as best you can!