Fall-Off-The-Bone Tender: Mastering Crockpot Country Style Pork Ribs

As a busy home cook, I’m always seeking out tasty yet totally hands-off dinner options. Enter the crockpot – this set-it-and-forget-it appliance makes whipping up fork-tender country style pork ribs a breeze. Through experimentation in my own kitchen, I’ve honed my techniques for creating melt-in-your-mouth country ribs using a slow cooker.

In this article, I’ll share my tips and tricks for preparing, seasoning, and cooking downhome delicious country style pork ribs in the crockpot along with serving suggestions for a finger-lickin’ meal. Let’s get cooking!

Why Cook Country Style Ribs in a Crockpot?

Cooking country style pork ribs in a crockpot offers several advantages:

• Requires minimal preparation – just toss in ingredients and turn on!

• Provides moist tender meat that falls off the bone after 8+ hours of slow braising

• Infuses ribs with finger-lickin’ flavor as seasonings mingle during extended cook time

• Frees up your oven and stove for side dishes

• Leaves kitchen cool rather than heating it up by oven roasting

• Allows flexibility – start early in the day or cook overnight

With minimal hands-on time, the crockpot does the work for you resulting in irresistible melt-in-your-mouth ribs.

Picking the Best Country Style Ribs for the Crockpot

Not all country style ribs are equal – for best results choose ribs that:

• Have good marbling – This intermuscular fat ensures tender juicy meat.

• Are 1.5 to 2 lbs in size – Size down if cooking fewer ribs.

• Have meaty ribs not all bone – Look for racks with decent meat between bones.

• Are fresh not frozen – Thawed frozen ribs may lose moisture during extended cooking.

• Are bone-in not boneless – The bones add richness during braising.

The right ribs will create crispy edges with succulent meat that falls off the bone after hours in the crockpot.

My Favorite Simple Crockpot Country Rib Recipe

This straightforward recipe infuses country ribs with zesty flavor:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lbs country style pork ribs
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp each salt, pepper, chili powder
• 1⁄2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place ribs in crockpot and top with remaining ingredients.

2. Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours.

3. Remove ribs, brush with sauce from pot and broil 3-5 minutes to caramelize.

The sweet and tangy sauce tenderizes the meat while providing finger-lickin’ flavor. Easy peasy!

Tips for Seasoning Crockpot Country Ribs

While barbecue sauce adds plenty of flavor, for even more zing try these seasoning ideas:

• Dry rub – Coat ribs with a homemade dry rub before cooking.

• Smoky flavor – Add a dash of smoked paprika.

• Herbs – Fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, and oregano provide depth.

• Warm spices – A pinch of cumin, cinnamon, and allspice enhances the flavor.

• Sweet elements – Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey balance with acidity.

• Extra garlic and onion – Increased amounts add punch.

• Hot sauce/Sriracha – For those who like heat.

Experiment with different spice combinations to put your signature twist on classic country ribs.

Cooking Time for Country Ribs in a Crockpot

With extended cooking, crockpot country ribs become fall-off-the-bone tender.

• Low setting: 8-10 hours

For maximum tenderness, cook on the low setting for 8-10 hours.

• High setting: 5-6 hours

If pressed for time, 5-6 hours on high does the trick. Check ribs at the 5 hour mark.

• Natural release: 1 hour

After cooking, allow crockpot to naturally release heat for 1 hour before opening lid.

• Boneless ribs: 6-8 hours

Boneless country ribs require slightly less time to become tender.

Stick to these times for melt-in-your-mouth ribs without overcooking into mushiness.

How to Tell When Crockpot Country Ribs Are Done

Ribs are fully cooked and ready to devour when:

• Meat pulls away from the bones

• A fork slides easily into meat with no resistance

• Internal temperature reaches 195°F-205°F

• Sauce has thickened into and coats meat

• Bones wiggle free when tugged with tongs

Checking doneness using these indicators ensures your ribs arecompletely tender and ready for eatin’.

Serving Up Your Crockpot Country Ribs

Once cooked to perfection, here’s how to serve your succulent country ribs:

• Carefully remove ribs from crockpot using tongs.

• Brush with sauce from crockpot before serving if desired.

• Broil 3-5 minutes to caramelize sauce into a sticky glaze.

• Slice ribs between each bone for individual portions.

• Garnish with chopped parsley, scallions or sesame seeds.

• Serve ribs with traditional BBQ sides like coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans or potato salad.

With these final touches, you can create a mouthwatering country ribs platter your whole family will rave about.

Cleanup and Storage Tips

• Discard leftover cooking liquid or save for making soup stock.

• Allow crockpot insert to cool fully before cleaning.

• Leftover cooked ribs keep refrigerated for 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

• Freeze leftovers in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.

Proper storage means your succulent country ribs stay delicious for multiple meals.

Common Crockpot Country Ribs Questions

What if my ribs aren’t submerged in liquid during cooking?

Browning on top is normal – flip ribs halfway through cooking if desired.

Can I cook an entire rack of country ribs?

Yes, trim rack into sections if needed to fit crockpot.

Should I add extra liquid like broth or water?

No need – ribs create plenty of braising liquid naturally.

What temperature should the crockpot be set on?

Low is best for maximum tenderness over 8-10 hours.

Satisfy Your Ribs Craving the Crockpot Way

With my tips for preparing and cooking country style pork ribs in the crockpot, you can satisfy your hankering for downhome ribs any night of the week. The set-it-and-forget-it convenience of the slow cooker results in fork-tender ribs bursting with finger-lickin’ flavor. Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier y’all!