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country style beef ribs slow cooker

The Ultimate Foolproof Country Style Beef Ribs Slow Cooker

The ultimate recipe for country style beef ribs slow cooker style. This simple method yields amazing, fall-off-the-bone tender results.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Finishing Time (Broiling) 4 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 650 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger)
  • 1 Large skillet
  • 1 pair Tongs

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Ribs:

  • 3-4 lbs country-style beef ribs (boneless or bone-in)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder

For the Classic BBQ Sauce Base:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Ribs: Pat the country-style beef ribs completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season the ribs generously on all sides.
  • Sear for Flavor: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the ribs in the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until a deep, brown crust forms. Transfer the seared ribs to the basin of your slow cooker.
  • Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low. Add all the BBQ sauce ingredients (ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, and smoked paprika). Whisk to combine, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce bubble gently for 1 minute.
  • Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the beef ribs in the crock pot. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The ribs are done when they are fork-tender.
  • (Optional) Broil to Finish: For a beautiful, caramelized crust, carefully remove the cooked ribs from the slow cooker and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spoon some of the extra sauce from the slow cooker over the top. Place under the broiler on high for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully, until the sauce is bubbly and slightly charred.

Video

Notes

  • Searing is Key: For the best flavor, do not skip the searing step! It creates a deep, rich crust that makes a huge difference.
  • Bone-In vs. Boneless: Both work wonderfully. If using bone-in ribs, you may need to add 30-60 minutes to the total cooking time.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Sauce Variations: See the full blog post above for exciting sauce variations like Sweet & Spicy Asian Glaze or a Savory Onion Gravy!
Keyword beef ribs, Comfort Food, crock pot ribs, slow cooker ribs