Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (2024)

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Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs with potatoes, sauerkraut, apples and carrots. A complete meal in one pot and comfort food at its best. Adding apple juice to the broth delivers a juicy tangy meal with maximum flavor. Crock pot country style ribs is a hearty fix and forget it meal that your family will love.

Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (1)

I’ve had this slow cooker country style ribs recipe as long as I’ve had my crockpot. Literally, it was a recipe included in the little instruction booklet that came with my first crockpot.Do you pay any attention to those? I’ve found some really good ideas in them.

When it comes to comfort food that’s both hearty and satisfying, few dishes can rival the tender goodness of slow cooker country style ribs. These succulent cuts of meat are a true testament to the magic of slow cooking – transforming tough, inexpensive cuts into mouthwatering masterpiece.

This recipe is a sweet, sour and savory meal. Crock pot country style ribsare a pleasure to come home to after a busy day.

Why You’re Going To Love This Recipe

  • Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs is a hearty fix and forget it meal. Let your slow cooker do the work.
  • The flavor combination of sauerkraut and pork is classic and delish!
  • Cooking country pork ribs in the slow cooker returns a melt in your mouth experience.
  • The recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight or weekend dinner.
  • You’re looking at a stress free simple dinner.

What are country pork ribs?

A country pork rib isn’t really a rib at all. In other words, there’s a bit of identity crisis involved. It’s a blade chop that comes from the area between the loin and the shoulder. They contain no ribs but instead part of the scapula.

Since it comes from close to the shoulder blade, they’re meatier than rib cuts. Some say you should grill them and some say cook them low and slow. Country Style Pork Ribs can be found two ways.

  • The blade end near the shoulder. For this cut, blade end loin chops are cut into pieces. They an be sold bone-in. They will probably be labeled pork loin country-style ribs. You’ll find them with nice marbling which results in great flavor.
  • From The shoulder.Boneless pork ribs can also be thick strips cut from pork shoulder steaks. They are sometimes labeled as pork shoulder country-style ribs. These ribs are fattier and also quite tasty.

Chose either bone-in or boneless for this recipe.

How To Make Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs, It’s Easy

Aromasof pork ribs with potatoes, sauerkraut, apples and onions fill the house. Let’s get started with step by step instructions.

Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (2)
  • Step 1: We’ll start by salt and peppering the ribs then coating them with flour. Shake off the excess flour and brown intwo tablespoons of vegetable oil until golden on each side. Remove to a paper towel to drain.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip searingthe meat. This is a crucial step in getting the most flavor out of this meal. Searing creates what is technically calledMaillard reaction. Maillard reaction is the process where a crust is created. Simply stated, it’s responsible for the complex flavors and aroma that makes bread taste toasty, and a grilled or seared burger taste charred. It’s a technique that brings science to your cooking skills.

Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (3)
  • Step 2: Next, layer the vegetables in the crock pot.
  • Start with small new potatoes. Or you can use large potatoes that have been cubed or thick sliced.
  • Add some large chunks of carrots. And then some sweet onion that’s been peeled, sliced in half , ringed and then cut into crescents.
  • On top of the onions, we’ll sprinkle on a small can of sauerkraut that’s been quickly rinsed and drained.
Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (4)
  • Step 3: The next step is to add a tablespoon of fennel and some apple juice. We’re big fan of fennel, so as you can see that spoon is heaping.You can also add caraway if you’d like.
Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (5)
  • Step 4: We’ll slice an apple and then place those on top of the sauerkraut in the crockpot.
Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (6)
  • Step 5: The final step is to snuggle the ribs on the top. Cover the slow cooker and cook for 8 hours.

FAQ’s

How Do You Know When Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs Are Done?

Guidelines indicate that you should cook pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. However following instructions for this slow cooker method, you’ll know when the ribs are done when fall apart fork tender. A rib that doesn’t flake easily isn’t done.

Can I Cook This Recipe In A Dutch Oven?

Absolutely. You’ll need a 6 – 7 quart Dutch oven to hold everything. Just follow the recipe instructions. Set oven temperature at 350 degrees. Ribs should be cooked in 3 – 4 hours.

Do Country Style Pork Ribs Have Bones?

Country style ribs don’t actually come from the rib area of the pig and are usually sold boneless. They are actually cut from the shoulder blade area.

Storage:

  • Store any leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 – 5 days.
  • To re-heat just place a portion on a microwave safe dish, cover with a parchment paper or a loose plastic lid. Heat in increments of 15 seconds at 50% power.
  • Any leftover ribs can be frozen in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 3 months. I don’t recommend freezing the cooked vegetables, as the texture will become compromised.

Gather round that table and enjoy this savory slow cooker country style ribs meal.

Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (7)

Slow cooker country style ribs are a nod to the magic that happens when an inexpensive cut of meat is slow roasted in a crockpot. They are transformed to a tender texture with an incredible depth of flavor. Country style pork ribs are a testament to the beauty of slow cooking.

With a little preparation, a dash of creativity, and a whole lot of patience, you can craft a dish that will have your loved ones coming back for seconds – and asking for the recipe. So, fire up your slow cooker, embrace the process, and prepare to savor boneless ribs in the crock pot.

You simply can’t beat crockpot ribs and potatoes.

  • Oven Spare Ribs Recipe With Beer Mustard Sauce
  • Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Apples
  • Roast Rack of Pork with Peach Glaze
  • Wine Braised Instant Pot Pork Roast

And if you’re looking for more pork recipes, don’t miss my Pork Category. You’ll find lots of mouthwatering ideas. Including the most popular on my site for Hatch Green Chili with Pork Roast.

If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. And write a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback.

And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (12)

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs with Sauerkraut and Potatoes

A great fix it and forget it meal. Slow Cooker Country Pork Ribs. Pork ribs slow cooked with sauerkraut, apples & carrots, this is comfort food at its best.

5 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course Pork

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours hours

Total Time: 8 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 1087kcal

Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 4 pounds country style pork ribs
  • salt/pepper to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 10 new red potatoes (or two large russets cubed or thick sliced)
  • 2 medium carrots sliced thick
  • 1 onion sliced and then halved
  • 1-15 ounce can sauerkraut drained
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seed
  • 1 Tablelspoon fennel seed
  • 1 whole apple cored and sliced
  • salt/pepper to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon flour
  • 2 Tablespoon cold water

Instructions

  • Place the flour on a plate. Salt and pepper ribs and dredge the ribs in the flour until coated. Shake off excess flour. In a large fry pan, heat the oil until hot and sear the ribs until golden on each side. Remove to paper towel to drain.

  • In the crackpot layer, potatoes, carrots, onion, and sauerkraut. Pour on the apple juice, sprinkle on the spices and then add the whole apple on top. Season with salt and pepper and then snuggle the ribs on top of the ingredients. Cook on low all day.

  • If you’d like, remove ingredients from crockpot and place juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer combing water/flour mixture and apples. Simmer for a couple of minutes and use as gravy.

  • Or serve directly from the crockpot.

Nutrition

Calories: 1087kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 70g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 218mg | Sodium: 1009mg | Potassium: 3710mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 5175IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 9mg

Tried this Recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below. Or tag me on InstagramMention @CookingOnTheRanch or tag #cookingontheranch

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs …It’s What’s For Dinner

Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (13)

Lea Ann Brown

Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.

Easy Country Style Pork Rib Crockpot Slow Cooker recipe. (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook ribs in a slow cooker without liquid? ›

Don't worry that the ribs go into the slow cooker without liquid; the heat is gentle enough that the ribs do not burn, and the meat releases liquid as it cooks, so it braises in its own spiced juices.

Should ribs be submerged in slow cooker? ›

Cooking in the Slow Cooker

The ribs don't need to swim in liquid, but they should be moistened well — a cup or two of liquid is sufficient, depending on the size of your cooker and the number of ribs.

Can you cook ribs too long in a crockpot? ›

Can You Slow Cook Ribs Too Long? Yes, just like oven baked ribs, if you leave them in the crockpot for too long they can become dry and tough. This will likely not happen, but it is possible. So just use the timer on your crockpot if it has one or set your own.

Are ribs better in slow cooker or pressure cooker? ›

Nothing that a little sauce can't fix, and it does mean you get more of the pork flavor, but they're not as nuanced. And the winner is: The slow cooker, but just by a hair (by a rib?). If you're pressed for time, pressure cooker is the way to go.

What liquid is best for pork ribs? ›

Liquid for cooking – this is a key step for this pork ribs recipe! It creates a steamy situation while the ribs slow cook in the oven to keep them nice and juicy. My liquid of choice is alcoholic apple cider (also known as hard apple cider) because as with many things, alcohol adds extra layers of flavour.

Can you put pork in slow cooker without liquid? ›

How much liquid do you put in pulled pork? If your cooking it in a slow cooker, then none. Just add an onion and maybe a green pepper. The liquid from them will not only help flavor the meat, but will also add more than enough liquid to keep it moist.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

What liquid do you put in a slow cooker? ›

To ensure the dinner cooks correctly and doesn't get soggy, decrease the amount of liquids you add. Usually only ½ to 1 cup of liquid does the trick. And, for extra flavorful results, try using liquid like broth, wine, or juice, instead of just plain water.

What happens if you slow cook ribs too long? ›

Cooking any kind of meat for too long will usually leave it dry, tough, and utterly unappealing. In all honesty, cooking BBQ ribs to perfection is something of an artform. It's not something the home chef does very often, and overcooking the ribs is a common way to disappoint yourself when you sit down to eat.

Do pork ribs get more tender the longer they cook? ›

Your goal is to get good color and caramelization on the outside of the ribs, but also to cook them long enough that the tough collagen breaks down and the meat becomes tender. Generally, the ribs will be browned before the meat is done, which is where the balancing act comes in.

Can you cook ribs for 8 hours? ›

directions. Take ribs out of package and pat dry with a paper towel. Season ribs with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Put ribs in oven on 210°F for 8 hours.

How do you keep ribs moist and tender? ›

Using a small saucepan heat apple cider and butter and then place it in the grill with the ribs. The steam from the liquid will keep the ribs from drying out. Basting the ribs every 45 minutes to an hour will really help the smoke particles cling to the meat and form a beautiful red mahogany smoke ring.

Are pork ribs better in the oven or slow cooker? ›

Slow cooking is the perfect way to get tender melt-in-the-mouth pork ribs, an absolute favourite in most households.

What is the best rib cooking method? ›

The 321 Method for Ribs is a popular method of cooking ribs on the grill or in the oven. It involves prepping, seasoning and cooking the ribs slowly over low heat for three hours. The first two hours are devoted to preparing the rub and marinade, while the last hour is used to cook the ribs at a higher temperature.

What happens if you don't put liquid in a slow cooker? ›

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

"It's important to add enough liquid to ensure the bottom of your dish doesn't burn." If your meal does burn, the chef said to avoid scraping the bottom of the pot while stirring and serving because it can give the entire dish a burnt flavor.

Can you slow cook meat in a slow cooker without liquid? ›

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Can I cook meat in a crockpot without liquid? ›

Yes. Many meats especially release their own moisture/juices as it cooks. I cooked a thanksgiving turkey breast in a slow cooker. The recipe didn't call for any liquids, but after the 4 to 6 hours, the turkey was about half covered in juice and it was one of the best thanksgiving turkeys I've had.

Can you cook meat dry in a slow cooker? ›

Cook Low and Slow

Each slow cooker meal's cooking time differs depending on the meat and its weight. The low setting is important so you don't overcook it, potentially leaving you with a dry or tough meal.

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