Slow Cooked BBQ Ribs with Three Ingredients

Ready to impress your guests with a delicious dinner without spending all day in the kitchen? These slow-cooked BBQ ribs with just three ingredients are both easy to make and incredibly flavorful. With juicy country style ribs, thick barbecue sauce, and brown sugar, you’ll have a dish that’s sweet, sticky, and irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, from game nights to summer barbecues!

What Makes This Recipe Special?

Only three ingredients – country style ribs, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar.

Five-minute prep – Stir, pour, cover, and walk away.

Tenderer than you can imagine – The slow cooker does all the work.

Sweet, sticky glaze – Broiling adds the perfect finish.

No smoker or grill needed – All you need is a slow cooker and an oven.

Budget-friendly – Country style ribs are very affordable.

Perfect for game nights, potlucks or family dinners – A surefire winner every time.

Ingredients

- Country style pork ribs on the bone – 4 to 5 pounds

- Thick barbecue sauce – 1 bottle (17.5 to 21 ounces), plus extra for serving if desired

- Brown sugar, packed – 4 ounces

Ingredient Notes

What are country style ribs?

Country style ribs are cut from the shoulder (pork) instead of the ribs. They are meaty, well-marbled and incredibly flavorful. They may contain a small bone or be boneless. Choose bone-in for the best flavor.

What type of barbecue sauce?

Use a thick, smoky or sweet barbecue sauce – Kansas City style works great. Avoid thin, vinegar-based sauces, as they don’t provide the same sticky glaze.

What type of brown sugar?

Light brown sugar adds a mild, caramel-like sweetness, while dark brown sugar has more molasses and a deeper flavor. Both work great.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ribs

Pat the 4 to 5 pound country style pork ribs with paper towels and trim any large, thick pieces of fat if desired. This helps them brown a little and prevents the sauce from becoming too oily.

Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly spray the inside of your 5- to 7-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray for easier cleaning, or use a liner if you prefer.

Step 3: Make the BBQ Sauce Mixture

In a small bowl, stir together:

- 1 bottle (16–24 ounces) heavy-duty barbecue sauce

- 1 cup packed brown sugar

Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the sauce looks glossy and slightly thickened.

Step 4: Layer the Sauce and Ribs

Add a thin layer of the BBQ sauce mixture to the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the ribs in an even layer; it’s okay if they overlap a little, but try to avoid stacking them too high so they cook evenly.

Pour the remaining BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the ribs, using tongs to make sure each piece is well coated. Spoon some sauce from the bottom over any dry areas.

Step 5: Cover and Cook

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on:

- LOW for 7 to 8 hours, or

- HIGH for 3½ to 4 hours

The ribs are done when they are very tender and can be easily pulled apart with a fork.

Step 6: Prepare for Broiling

Once the ribs are cooked and tender, preheat your oven’s broiler to HIGH. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Use tongs to carefully transfer the ribs from the slow cooker to the prepared trays, letting any excess liquor drip off, but leaving enough sauce on the meat.

Step 7: Glaze and Broil

Spoon or brush some of the thickened BBQ sauce from the slow cooker over the tops of the ribs on the trays, so they are generously coated and glistening.

Place the trays under the broiler on the top center rack for 3 to 5 minutes, watching them closely, until the edges of the ribs are lightly charred and the sauce is bubbly and gooey. Rotate the trays if necessary for even browning without burning.

Step 8: Let Rest and Serve

Remove the trays from the oven and let the ribs rest for a few minutes. Serve hot, with extra barbecue sauce on the side if desired.

Variations and Tips

Make It Spicy

- Use spicy barbecue sauce.

- Add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.

- Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper.

Make It with Dr Pepper

Replace 1.2 dl of the barbecue sauce with 1.2 dl of Dr Pepper for a slightly spicy, more complex sweetness.

Make It with Honey

Replace 0.6 dl of the brown sugar with 0.6 dl of honey for a different type of sweetness.

Add Garlic