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A close-up, high-angle photo of several country-style pork ribs inside a black slow cooker. The meat is glazed in a dark, glossy BBQ sauce with visible strands of tender, pulled pork. Softened, translucent onion wedges are tucked between the ribs in a rich, savory liquid.

Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Ribs

A budget-friendly alternative to traditional baby back ribs using country-style pork ribs. This recipe utilizes a slow cooker to achieve fall-apart tenderness with a sticky, caramelized BBQ glaze and softened onions
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs country-style pork ribs boneless or bone-in
  • 1 large sweet onion sliced into wedges
  • 1 1/2 cups high-quality BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and brown sugar.
  2. Season the country-style ribs on all sides with the dry rub mixture, pressing it into the meat.
  3. Place the sliced onion wedges at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
  4. Layer the seasoned pork ribs over the onions.
  5. In another bowl, mix the BBQ sauce with the apple cider vinegar and pour it evenly over the ribs.
  6. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 7 to 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours) until the pork is fork-tender.
  7. Optional: Carefully remove the ribs and place them on a baking sheet. Brush with extra sauce and broil for 3–5 minutes to caramelize the edges.
  8. Serve the ribs with the softened slow-cooked onions and extra sauce from the pot.