Easy Slow Cooker Boneless Pork Ribs: 3-Ingredient BBQ Perfection

Prepare to delight your taste buds with the easiest, most mouth-watering boneless pork ribs you’ve ever made! This incredible recipe requires just three simple ingredients and minimal effort, delivering fall-apart tender, juicy ribs perfect for any summer BBQ, family dinner, or potluck. Forget complicated dry rubs or lengthy preparation times – our method harnesses the magic of the slow cooker to create a flavorful feast that will have everyone asking for seconds. You’ll achieve that irresistible BBQ glaze and tender texture without breaking a sweat, making it an ideal choice for busy cooks who don’t want to compromise on taste.

When crafting these irresistible dinner ribs, the secret lies in a delightful combination of your favorite barbecue sauce and the unique flavor of Dr. Pepper. This unexpected pairing works wonders, infusing the pork with a sweet, tangy, and slightly caramelized taste that’s truly unbeatable. It’s a foolproof way to ensure every bite is packed with savory goodness, making these boneless country-style pork ribs a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.

There’s no need for a complex dry rub to achieve incredible depth of flavor with these boneless country-style pork ribs. The simple combination of ingredients provides all the seasoning you’ll need, ensuring juicy and tender results every time. With just three core ingredients and very little hands-on time, you’re on your way to enjoying delicious, restaurant-quality ribs right at home. This recipe is designed to be effortless, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying good company and fantastic food. Let’s dive into how you can create this culinary masterpiece with ease!

Simple Ingredients for Perfect Boneless Pork Ribs:

The beauty of this recipe lies in its absolute simplicity. With just three essential ingredients, readily available at any grocery store, you can transform ordinary pork into an extraordinary dish that’s bursting with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

1. Boneless Country-Style Pork Ribs: For the best results, seek out a high-quality package of boneless country-style pork ribs from your local butcher or grocery store. These ribs are a fantastic choice because they are typically cut from the pork shoulder or loin, offering a significantly meatier, more substantial bite compared to traditional bone-in ribs like baby back or spare ribs. Their boneless nature makes them incredibly easy to prepare, serve, and even easier to eat – perfect for shredding for sandwiches or enjoying whole.
2. Dr. Pepper (or your favorite dark soda): This is truly the secret ingredient that works wonders in this recipe. Dr. Pepper adds incredible moisture, tenderizes the meat as it cooks, and infuses it with a unique sweet and subtly spiced flavor profile. Its distinct blend of 23 flavors perfectly complements the rich pork and tangy barbecue sauce, creating a complex taste without any extra effort. While Dr. Pepper is highly recommended for its unique character, you can certainly experiment with other dark sodas like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or root beer for a slightly different, but still delicious, result.
3. Your Favorite BBQ Sauce: The choice of barbecue sauce is crucial as it forms the base of your desired flavor for the ribs. Whether you prefer a smoky, sweet, tangy, spicy, or mustard-based profile, selecting a sauce you genuinely love will make all the difference. This allows you to easily customize the ribs to your personal taste. Don’t be afraid to try a new artisanal sauce or stick with a beloved classic – remember, the better the sauce you start with, the better your finished ribs will taste!

With these three power-packed and simple ingredients, you’re ready to create magic in your kitchen and impress everyone with your culinary skills, all while keeping things incredibly easy!

How to Achieve Tender Perfection: Making Boneless Pork Ribs

Creating these sensational boneless pork ribs is surprisingly straightforward, primarily utilizing the convenience of your slow cooker. This two-step process ensures maximum tenderness, followed by that perfect caramelized finish. The slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the meat to become incredibly succulent. Here’s a detailed guide to walk you through each step, ensuring you get perfect results every time:

Step 1: Slow Cooker Sensation

The slow cooker is your best friend for achieving incredibly tender, fall-off-the-fork ribs. It locks in moisture and allows the sweet and savory flavors to deeply penetrate the meat over several hours, resulting in unparalleled tenderness.

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Begin by arranging your boneless country-style pork ribs evenly at the bottom of your slow cooker. If your ribs are particularly large, you can cut them into smaller, more manageable portions to ensure they fit comfortably and cook evenly.
2. Add Liquids and Sauce: Pour one full cup of Dr. Pepper over the ribs. This liquid will not only tenderize the meat but also infuse it with its delicious sweetness and subtle spice. Next, add 1/2 cup of your chosen BBQ sauce directly on top of the ribs. Give the ribs a gentle stir or toss to ensure they are at least partially coated in the liquids.
3. Slow Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid tightly on your slow cooker. Cook the ribs on the LOW setting for 5-6 hours. If you’re pressed for time, you can opt to cook them on the HIGH setting for 3.5-4 hours. The ultimate goal is for the ribs to be incredibly tender, easily shredding with just a fork. Cooking low and slow often yields the most tender and flavorful results, so plan accordingly if possible.

Once the slow cooking is complete, your kitchen will be filled with an irresistible aroma, and the ribs will be wonderfully succulent, almost melting in your mouth, and ready for their grand finale under the broiler.

Step 2: Broiling for a Perfect Glaze

While the slow cooker ensures incredible tenderness, a quick trip under the broiler is what gives these ribs their signature sticky, caramelized, and slightly crisp BBQ glaze. This crucial step elevates the texture and intensifies the flavor, creating that irresistible finish we all love.

1. Preheat Your Broiler and Prepare Tray: Turn on your oven’s broiler to the high setting. Position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heating element. Prepare a sheet pan by placing a wire rack over it. This setup is important as it allows for optimal air circulation around the ribs, preventing the bottom from getting soggy and promoting even caramelization and glazing.
2. Prepare the Glazing Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, combine the remaining portion of your barbecue sauce with 1/2 can of Dr. Pepper. Whisk these two ingredients together thoroughly until you have a smooth, well-combined mixture. This slightly thinner sauce will be perfect for brushing onto the ribs and will create a beautiful, even glaze.
3. Brush and Broil: Carefully transfer the slow-cooked ribs from the slow cooker onto the prepared wire rack on the baking tray. Using a pastry brush, generously apply the BBQ sauce and Dr. Pepper mixture all over the ribs, ensuring every surface is coated for maximum flavor and glaze. Place the tray with the boneless country-style ribs into the preheated oven and broil for 2-3 minutes. It’s critical to keep a very close eye on them during this stage, as broilers cook quickly and sauces with sugar can burn very easily. You’re looking for a beautiful, bubbly, and slightly caramelized glaze, not a charred one.
4. Serve Immediately: Once the ribs are glazed to perfection, remove them from the oven. Allow them to rest for just a couple of minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum flavor and tenderness. Serve hot and enjoy your perfectly tender, flavorful ribs!

Boneless Pork Ribs

By: Julia Pacheco

The best slow cooker Boneless Pork Ribs made with only 3 ingredients! Make these for your next potluck this summer.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4-6 hours (Slow Cooker) + 2-3 minutes (Broiling)

Total Time: Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes – 6 hours 15 minutes

Servings: 6

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Small mixing bowl
• Sheet pan with wire rack (for broiling)

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless country style pork ribs
• 1 ½ cans Dr. Pepper (divided: 1 cup for slow cooker, ½ can for glaze)
• 1 ⅓ cup BBQ sauce (divided: ½ cup for slow cooker, the rest for glaze)

Instructions

Add ribs to the slow cooker:

1. Place ribs on the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour one cup of Dr. Pepper and 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce on top. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

Prepare oven for glazing:

1. Turn on the broiler in your oven. Place a wire rack over a sheet pan, then carefully put the slow-cooked ribs on the prepared baking tray.
2. In a small bowl, add the remaining barbeque sauce and 1/2 can of Dr. Pepper. Whisk everything until combined for this easy glaze.
3. Generously brush the BBQ sauce mixture all over the ribs.
4. Put the boneless country-style ribs in the preheated oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning and achieve a perfect glaze.

Nutrition Information (per serving, approx.)

Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 763mg | Potassium: 616mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Individual results may vary based on exact ingredients and cooking methods.

Tips for Perfect Ribs Every Time

Even with a recipe as simple as this one, a few expert tips can elevate your dish from simply good to absolutely unforgettable. Here are some pointers to ensure your boneless pork ribs turn out perfectly tender, flavorful, and glazed to perfection every single time:

• Don’t Overcrowd Your Slow Cooker: For even cooking and maximum tenderness, ensure there’s enough space for the heat and liquid to circulate freely around the ribs. If you’re cooking a very large batch of ribs, it’s better to use a larger slow cooker or cook them in two separate batches rather than stacking them too tightly.
• Trimming Excess Fat: While some fat adds wonderful flavor and moisture to the ribs, excessive amounts can make the dish greasy. Before placing the ribs in the slow cooker, take a few moments to trim off any large, visible pockets of hard fat. This ensures a cleaner, more enjoyable eating experience.
• Adjusting Sweetness and Tanginess: The beauty of using your favorite BBQ sauce is the ability to customize. Before applying the final glaze, taste your BBQ sauce mixture. If you prefer a sweeter glaze, you can add a touch more Dr. Pepper, a spoonful of brown sugar, or even a drizzle of honey. For a more pronounced tangy flavor, a small splash of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lime juice can do wonders.
• Alternative Finishing Methods: If you don’t have a broiler or prefer not to use it, you still have options for achieving that delicious caramelized finish. You can finish these ribs on a preheated outdoor grill for a few minutes per side, applying the glaze as they cook, to achieve a similar char and smoky flavor. Alternatively, simply let them simmer in the slow cooker with the glazing sauce for the last 30 minutes on high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and adheres to the ribs.
• Shredding for Versatility: Once cooked and glazed, these ribs are so tender they can be easily shredded with two forks. Shredded BBQ pork ribs are fantastic for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, or even topping baked potatoes, offering incredible versatility for leftovers.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Ribs:

These boneless pork ribs are so incredibly delicious, you might find that you don’t have any leftovers! However, if you do, they store beautifully, making them perfect for meal prepping, quick lunches, or an effortless weeknight dinner later in the week.

Fridge: Allow the cooked ribs to cool completely to room temperature before storing them. Transfer any leftover ribs and their accompanying sauce into an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They’re fantastic for an easy dinner the next night, or even shredded and repurposed for delicious sandwiches or tacos.

Freezer: For longer-term storage, place cooled ribs (with or without extra sauce) in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container, ensuring as much air as possible is removed to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the ribs in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until they are heated through, usually about 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat them in a microwave for a quicker option, though the oven helps maintain texture. Adding a little extra BBQ sauce or a splash of broth before reheating can help maintain moisture and refresh the flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between traditional ribs and country style ribs?

This is a common and excellent question! Traditional ribs, such as popular cuts like baby back ribs or spare ribs, are indeed cut from the actual rib cage of the pig. They are characterized by a distinct bone structure and typically feature thinner layers of meat between or around the bones. Country-style ribs, on the other hand, are a different cut entirely. They are meatier and typically boneless (though sometimes they may have a small piece of blade bone), derived from the shoulder or loin of the pork. This thick cut of pork is fantastic for slow cooking as its higher fat content and muscle structure break down beautifully, becoming incredibly tender and flavorful. Their boneless nature also makes them much easier to eat and carve than their traditional counterparts.

Do I need to use a barbecue rub for this recipe?

For this specific slow cooker recipe, a barbecue rub is completely optional. The brilliant combination of Dr. Pepper and your chosen BBQ sauce provides an abundance of moisture and flavor, ensuring incredibly juicy and tender results without the need for any complex pre-seasoning. The magic of slow cooking allows these liquid ingredients to deeply penetrate and flavor the meat over several hours.

However, if you’re a connoisseur of complex flavors and wish to add another delicious layer, a simple brown sugar rub can certainly elevate these tasty ribs even further. Consider mixing a few tablespoons of brown sugar with classic seasonings like black pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and perhaps a pinch of paprika. Apply this rub generously to the ribs before placing them in the slow cooker for an extra boost of savory-sweet spice and a slight crust.

Can I make these boneless ribs in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?

Absolutely! The Instant Pot is a fantastic alternative if you’re short on time and want tender ribs much faster. To adapt this recipe for the Instant Pot: Place the boneless pork ribs in the pot, then add 1 cup of Dr. Pepper and 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. Secure the lid and set the vent to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 30-35 minutes for whole ribs, or reduce the cooking time to 20-25 minutes if you’ve cut them into smaller pieces. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Finish the ribs under the broiler as directed in the original recipe to achieve that perfect caramelized glaze and sticky texture.

How can I add more spice or heat to my ribs?

If you love a little kick and want to infuse some extra heat into these delicious ribs, it’s incredibly easy to customize the spice level. You can do this by adding one or more of the following to your BBQ sauce mixture (this applies to either the initial slow cooker sauce or the final glazing sauce, or both, depending on your preference):

• Chili powder: For a warm, earthy, and moderate heat that also adds depth of flavor.
• Cayenne pepper: Adds a direct and noticeable, fiery spice. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
• White pepper: Offers a subtle, sharp heat that can be more pungent than black pepper.
• Red pepper flakes: Provides visual appeal and bursts of spicy flavor, especially if you like a little texture.
• Hot sauce: A few dashes or a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce (like Tabasco, Sriracha, or a smoky chipotle sauce) can also do the trick to quickly ramp up the heat.

Can I use different types of soda or fruit juice in place of Dr. Pepper?

While Dr. Pepper offers a truly unique and complementary flavor profile for these ribs, you can certainly experiment with other liquids! Dark sodas like Coca-Cola or root beer work exceptionally well and provide similar tenderizing properties and a comparable level of sweetness. For a different flavor profile, some cooks have success using apple juice, pineapple juice, or even ginger ale. Just be aware that swapping liquids will alter the final flavor of the ribs, so choose something that you know will complement your chosen BBQ sauce well. Always consider how the new liquid’s sweetness and acidity might impact the overall taste.

Delicious Sides to Serve with Your Boneless Pork Ribs:

These tender, flavorful boneless pork ribs are truly the star of the show, but every star needs a great supporting cast! Here are some fantastic side dishes that perfectly complement the rich, sweet, and tangy flavors of your BBQ ribs, helping to balance the meal and turning it into a complete and satisfying feast for family and friends:

• Baked Mac and Cheese: A creamy, dreamy, and cheesy classic that is always a hit. Its comforting richness provides a delightful contrast to the savory, slightly sweet ribs.
• Easy Tater Tot Casserole: A fun, hearty, and kid-friendly option that offers crispy potato goodness and a savory base, surprisingly simple to prepare and a real crowd-pleaser.
• Easy One Hour Dinner Rolls: Fluffy, warm, and freshly baked rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra BBQ sauce or for crafting mini rib sandwiches. Their light texture is a wonderful addition to the meal.
• Garlic Pull Apart Rolls: Another excellent bread option, these savory, garlicky rolls add a flavorful kick that pairs beautifully with the rich pork and tangy sauce.
• Creamy Coleslaw: The crisp texture and tangy, refreshing dressing of coleslaw cut through the richness of the ribs beautifully, offering a perfect balance and a palate cleanser.
• Corn on the Cob: A quintessential summer side, sweet corn on the cob is simple, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser that complements BBQ flavors perfectly.
• Classic Potato Salad: A cool and creamy potato salad provides a delightful counterpoint to the warm, smoky, and sweet ribs, adding a comforting element to your meal.
• Roasted Green Beans with Garlic: A simple yet flavorful vegetable side that adds a touch of freshness and a healthy crunch, seasoned simply with garlic and olive oil.
• Sweet Cornbread: A slightly sweet and tender cornbread can be a wonderful accompaniment, great for balancing the savory flavors and soaking up extra sauce.

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These slow cooker boneless pork ribs are a true testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a little patience and the magic of a slow cooker, can create truly spectacular and memorable results. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe is designed for effortless success, promising incredibly tender, flavorful ribs every single time. Give this recipe a try and transform your next meal into a memorable feast that your family and friends will rave about!

If you prepare these fantastic ribs or any other recipes from the site, we’d absolutely love to hear from you and see your creations! Make sure to tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how much you enjoyed them and what sides you served!