Southern Crock Pot Country Style Ribs

A white plate with several pieces of saucy, seasoned boneless pork ribs garnished with chopped herbs. A slow cooker and a red-and-white striped towel are visible in the background.

Crock pot country style ribs are tender, juicy, and full of Southern flavor with a tangy mustard BBQ sauce. Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep, they are perfect for Sunday dinners or casual gatherings. Enjoy these comforting, crowd-pleasing ribs that make hosting effortless.

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword comfort food, juicy, slow cooker, tender

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Servings servings

Calories 419

Author Gina Dickson

Equipment

Ingredients

1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon ground mustard
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1.5 pounds boneless country-style pork ribs
½ cup onion 1/4 inch thick sliced

For the Southern Mustard BBQ Sauce:

1/2 cup yellow mustard
1/3 cup honey
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
pinch cayenne pepper optional, more if you like it spicy
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Mix Spice Rub and Season Rib Meat

In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, onion powder, ground mustard, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon ground mustard, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Rub the spice mixture all over the pork ribs. For more flavor, cover and refrigerate the ribs for 1 hour.
1.5 pounds boneless country-style pork ribs

Prep the Slow Cooker

Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread the sliced onion on the bottom of the slow cooker.
½ cup onion
Lay the seasoned ribs on top of the onions.

Make the Mustard BBQ Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the yellow mustard, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using).
1/2 cup yellow mustard, 1/3 cup honey, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup chicken broth, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, pinch cayenne pepper
Pour half of the BBQ sauce over the ribs in the slow cooker. Set the remaining half aside for thickening later.

Cook Ribs

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 hours, or until the ribs are fork tender.

Thicken Remaining Sauce

While the ribs are cooking, make a cornstarch slurry by mixing the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl or jar with a lid.
Pour the reserved BBQ sauce into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts boiling, whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook for 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water

Serve the Ribs

Carefully remove the cooked ribs from the slow cooker. Brush them generously with the thickened mustard BBQ sauce. Serve extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Important Prep Tips:

Letting the ribs rest in the fridge with the spice rub for an hour really boosts the flavor.
Slice the onions ahead of time and store them in the fridge so prep is fast in the morning.
Use a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker for even cooking; avoid overcrowding for best results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t overcook. Country-style ribs can dry out if left too long on high heat. Stick to low for 4 to 5 hours.
Skipping the rub marination can result in less flavorful meat.
Avoid lifting the lid too often while cooking, as it releases heat and moisture.

Tips for Recipe Success: Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes after removing from the slow cooker so the juices settle. Brush on extra BBQ sauce right before serving with dipping sauce on the side.

Nutrition