These Slow Cooker Boneless Pork Ribs are perfectly seasoned, seared, and then simmered in a savory BBQ sauce for hours until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender. Serve them with your favorite simple side dishes for an easy weeknight meal.
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If you’re looking for a dinner idea for busy days, these slow cooker country style ribs are the answer. You only need a few minutes of prep time, and then the slow cooker does the rest of the work.
I like to prepare the boneless pork ribs in the morning and set my slow cooker to low, so they’re perfectly tender and ready to eat when we are.
This boneless rib recipe has recently become a family favorite. The ribs are easier for my kids to eat than the ones on the bone, and the pork offers a nice change from our usual chicken dinner.
For more pork recipes, check out my crockpot pork chops, pork wellington, and cranberry orange pork tenderloin next.
Country Style Ribs Ingredients
- Boneless Pork Ribs: These are also often labeled as boneless country style ribs; you’ll need 2-3 pounds.
- Olive Oil: For searing the ribs. I recommend high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Seasonings: I used a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika to season the ribs.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a little sweetness to the sauce to balance the flavors. You can use dark or light brown sugar.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Provides an umami flavor to the sauce. Feel free to swap with soy sauce or coconut aminos if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds acidity and tang to the sauce. You can use white or red wine vinegar instead or even balsamic for a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite type and brand of BBQ sauce to make these slow cooked boneless pork ribs.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and ensure the BBQ sauce you are using is gluten-free.
- Spicy: Turn up the heat by using a spicy BBQ sauce in this boneless pork ribs recipe.
- Boneless Beef Ribs: Swap the pork for beef, and increase the cooking time since beef ribs are typically thicker. You’ll need about an extra hour on low for the meat to become fully tender.
- Boneless Spare Ribs: Try this recipe using boneless spare ribs instead. Because of the difference in size, be sure to check for doneness about 30 minutes to an hour earlier to prevent them from overcooking.
How to Make Boneless Pork Ribs in the Slow Cooker
Here are the steps for how to cook boneless pork ribs in a crockpot. To get started, lightly coat your slow cooker with nonstick spray and combine the seasonings in a small bowl.
Step 1: Season the ribs. Coat the boneless ribs evenly with the seasoning mixture.
Step 2: Sear. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned ribs and sear until browned, about 1-2 minutes per side.
Step 3: Make the sauce. Add the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and BBQ sauce to a bowl. Whisk to combine.
Step 4: Add ribs to the slow cooker. Place the seasoned and seared ribs into the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 5: Pour in the sauce. Cover the ribs with the BBQ sauce mixture.
Step 6: Cook. Set the slow cooker to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Store leftover slow cooker boneless pork ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Place cooled ribs in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Add extra BBQ sauce to prevent the ribs from drying out, and reheat in the microwave or oven.
Serving Suggestions
These crockpot boneless ribs pair well with many different side dishes. Here are some of my favorites:
- You can’t go wrong with a side of potatoes! Try these rosemary infused roasted potatoes or this potato salad with red skin potatoes.
- A veggie side like Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes or this sweet and buttery skillet corn is another great option.
- You can also enjoy a plate of tasty ribs along with some homemade cornbread and apple cranberry slaw.
Expert Tips
- Season before searing: This helps the seasoning mixture stick to the meat and locks in the flavors.
- Don’t skip the searing: Searing in a hot skillet before placing the.boneless pork ribs in the crock pot provides depth of flavor and gives them a nice, browned crust.
- Keep the lid on: Frequently opening the slow cooker can cause the ribs to dry out. Every time you lift the lid, heat escapes, which can extend the cooking time and cause moisture loss. It’s best to let the ribs cook undisturbed until you’re ready to check for doneness.
Recipe FAQs
The ribs can be tough if they aren’t cooked long enough. Allow them more time to cook until they are tender and can easily be pulled apart with a fork.
The slow cooker locks in moisture during cooking, which can result in the sauce becoming too thin. To thicken it up, remove the ribs and whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water) and let it cook for a few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs boneless pork ribs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by coating it with a light coating of cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the boneless ribs.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil.
- Sear the seasoned ribs for 1-2 minutes per side until browned, then transfer them to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, which together the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar and BBQ sauce. Pour over ribs.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours or until the ribs are tender.
- If desired, remove ribs from the slow cooker and brush on additional sauce.
- Serve warm with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Season and sear the ribs before placing them in your slow cooker for maximum flavor.
- Avoid opening the lid too often during cooking to prevent the ribs from drying out.
- Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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