Easy Country Style Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Ribs Recipe

Is there anything better than knowing that at the end of a busy, activity-filled day, there’s a fully cooked meal ready to eat? No scrambling to decide what’s for supper, no extra cooking, just grab some plates and silverware and dig in.

Cue the magical apparatus that is the slow cooker. As we celebrate National Family Meals Month all September long and commit to eating more meals together as a family, the slow cooker might just earn a permanent spot on the countertop this fall! More on the National Family Meals Month movement below.

With just a little bit of prep, you can check dinner off your list of things to do. The best part is that it’s not just soups or casseroles that are slow cooker worthy. (Though we love those, too! Check out this hearty Irish stew, perfect for cold fall nights). A slow cooker can easily be used to serve up restaurant-level meals that the whole family will love.

One of those great recipes? Slow cooker country-style BBQ pork ribs, shared by Illinois farmer Heather Dollinger. Heather knows a thing or two about busy nights and the relief that comes from knowing dinner is taken care of. Heather and her husband Tyson farm just two hours southwest of Chicago. They grow corn, soybeans, and pumpkins, and during the fall months they welcome visitors out to their farm to enjoy their pumpkins, corn maze, and more.

They do all that — while also raising three young girls. To say life can get busy would be an understatement! But they wouldn’t have it any other way. They love all aspects of farm life, and no matter how hectic things get, they hope it’s always evident just how passionate they are about caring for the land.

Okay, back to the ribs! These ribs are tender, juicy, and so easy to make. With boneless country style ribs, liquid smoke, brown sugar, onion, and BBQ sauce, this is a recipe that is delicious and kid-friendly!

Easy Country-Style Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Ribs

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ½ pounds boneless country-style pork ribs
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 onion, diced
• One 18-ounce bottle BBQ sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Place ribs on the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Pour a little liquid smoke over the ribs so it can soak into the meat. Don’t overdo it!
4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Then sprinkle brown sugar and diced onion over the meat.
6. Top with your favorite BBQ sauce.
7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours OR cook in the Instant Pot for 30 minutes for thawed or 45 minutes for frozen.

NOTES

Don’t have liquid smoke on hand? You can substitute ½ tablespoon smoked/Spanish paprika for every tablespoon of liquid smoke.

Family Meals Inspired by Family Farmers

You might be surprised to hear that 96% of the farms in Illinois are family-owned and operated. Which means, Illinois farmers are no strangers to family meals. In fact, they’re often a long-held tradition for the multigenerational farm families that grow and raise our food.

That’s why we’re going all in on National Family Meals Month. We know life can get crazy and you can never have too many dinnertime hacks to make sitting down together easier. During the month of September, you can enter for the chance to win dinner on us via our IFF Mealtime Box Sweepstakes, plus we’re serving up more easy-to-make recipes so you can join the challenge, too. Check out these other farmer favorites: easy pork stir-fry, make-and-freeze meatballs and the best Instant Pot mac and cheese. Learn more about National Family Meals Month, plus follow us on social.