5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

These slow cooker country style pork ribs are budget-friendly (country style ribs are one of the most affordable cuts of pork) and fall-off-the-bone tender after a long, lazy day in the slow cooker. Bonus: Also well-balanced for stable blood sugar.

Why This Recipe Works IRL

This recipe was born out of a grocery run to Costco when I spotted country style ribs on sale. I took the opportunity to take an unfamiliar cut of meat and make them both delicious and aligned with our family's blood sugar goals.

The slow cooking solution: Country style ribs need low, slow heat to become tender, making the slow cooker perfect for transforming this budget cut into fall-apart goodness.

Blood sugar friendly by design: With 25-30 grams of protein per serving, these ribs help slow sugar absorption and keep you satisfied. The apples add natural fiber and sweetness without relying on high-sugar sauces.

Five ingredients, maximum flavor: I kept this intentionally simple because I know you're busy. No long ingredient lists, no specialty items.

What are Country Style Ribs?

Despite the name, country style ribs aren't actually ribs. They're cut from the pork shoulder, making them the budget-friendly cousin to pork chops that's perfect for slow cooking.

Bone-in vs. Boneless

Bone-in ribs (what I use) take longer to cook but have more flavor and hold their shape better.

Boneless ribs cook 30-60 minutes faster and are easier for kids to eat. They fall apart more completely, almost like pulled pork.

At $3-4 per pound, it's one of the most affordable ways to feed a family protein that feels special.

How to Make Country Style Pork Ribs in the Slow Cooker

This couldn't be easier! The only special tool that makes the job easier is an immersion blender. These come in handy for soups, stews and gravy, like in this recipe.

1. Step 1: Combine everything into your slow cooker except for one of the apples (that comes in later). Set to low for 6 hours or high for 4.

2. Step 2: Once the cooking is done, remove the ribs from the slow cooker and use an immersion blender to blend the liquid with the cooked apples and onions until it's a smooth gravy. Then add the apples back in (like you see here) and then the ribs to keep everything warm until it's time to serve.

Choosing a Better BBQ Sauce

I've been using Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce long before we started watching our blood sugar. I love how tangy and flavorful it is.

Shopping for BBQ sauce, what to look for on the label:

• Sugar content: Most conventional BBQ sauces pack 6-8 grams of sugar per tablespoon. Look for options with 4 grams or less. Remember, you're only using ⅓ cup for the whole recipe, so it's not a huge amount per serving anyway.
• Keep ingredients simple: I prefer sauces with familiar ingredients. Skip the ones with long lists of chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial preservatives. Tomato paste, vinegar, spices, and a natural sweetener should be the main players.
• Other good options: If Primal Kitchen isn't your jam, Tessemae's, Noble Made, and even some store brands like Whole Foods 365 make lower-sugar versions. Always check the nutrition label since formulations change.
• DIY quick fix: In a pinch, you can make your own by mixing tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, a touch of honey or maple syrup, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Takes 2 minutes and you control exactly what goes in.

The key is finding something that tastes good to your family while supporting your health goals.

What to Serve This With

The rich apple gravy made from the drippings pairs well with simple sides.

Best bets: Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli, cauliflower mash, or a crisp green salad like my Arugula Apple Salad. The fiber helps slow digestion even more.

Kid-friendly: Roasted sweet potato wedges or steamed corn. While corn is higher in carbs, the protein from the ribs helps balance things out.