Slow Cooker Molasses Pork Ribs
11 Comments Jan 29, 2018
Updated Jun 04, 2025
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Slow Cooker Molasses Country Style Pork Ribs have a sweet and tangy sauce that goes great over rice.
Have you ever cooked with molasses? It adds a deep, rich flavor that’s sweet, tangy, and just a little spicy—especially paired with ribs. The butter in the sauce helps balance the sweetness and makes everything extra savory.
Country style ribs don’t get enough love. They’re bonier than traditional ribs and come in thick, meaty strips. Since they’re not too thick, they cook up tender in just 6 hours and fall apart with the touch of a fork.
Key Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at what makes these molasses-style ribs so flavorful:
- Country style pork ribs – very tender and economical
- Molasses – rich, sweet, and bold
- Apple cider vinegar – gives a tangy balance
- Worcestershire & liquid smoke – for smoky, savory depth
- Garlic, onion & green onions – add layers of flavor
- Butter & hot sauce – adds richness with a tiny kick
Cook’s Notes
- You can use baby back ribs instead of country style.
- If you don’t have liquid smoke, the ribs will still be flavorful—just a little less smoky.
- These ribs are also great shredded and served on buns like pulled pork.
Serving Ideas
Start up the rice maker a bit before this recipe is done and you’ll have an effortless dinner. Serve with the sauce from the slow cooker drizzled over.
These ribs are also great shredded and served on buns like pulled pork.
Other sides that go great are Crockpot Mac and Cheese, Crockpot Brussels Sprouts and Ham and Cheese Corn.
Featured Comment
“I was looking for a slow cooker recipe for country ribs that I got on sale. This was mmm-mm good! Finished off the leftovers yesterday.”
– Barbara
Slow Cooker Molasses Ribs
How to Video
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. Country style pork ribs
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
- 2 garlic cloves,, minced
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flake
- 1/4 cup salted butter,, melted
- 1 dash hot sauce
- 1 small white onion,, diced
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced and divided
Instructions
- Add the country style pork ribs in to the slow cooker.
- In a medium sized bowl add the molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, garlic, pepper, red pepper flakes, butter, hot sauce, onion and half of the green onions. Stir until combined.
- Add the sauce over the pork ribs.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Sprinkle with remaining green onions and serve.
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Recipes to Serve at Barbecues
Enjoy a summer-inspired dinner with Root Beer Chicken or tender Crockpot Ribs. Pair them with easy sides like Crockpot Corn on the Cob and Crockpot Baked Beans for a full backyard-style meal. Or switch it up with classic Crockpot Pulled Pork—perfect for sandwiches or sliders.
Can you use a pork loin for this recipe?
Yes, pork loin will work great.
Sound so good, i can’t wait to try it. Do you think it would be good with Chicken too !! bet it would be good too.
I think it would be good with chicken. Great idea.
I was looking for a slow cooker recipe for country ribs that I got on sale. This was mmm-mm good! Finished off the leftovers yesterday. Your suggestion in the Sweet and Sour Country Ribs recipe for using paper towels to sop up the grease worked perfectly! I will be trying that recipe as well!
Should you brown the ribs first ?
I do not. But it won’t hurt the recipe if you do.
I’d constantly want to be update on new posts on this web site,
saved to favorites!
Any reco on how to reduce sugar? Can you sub molasses or half it with anything else?
Made this for dinner tonight. It was quite tasty and very easy. Food store had the boneless ribs on sale for $5 per package so a great deal too! I recommend.
Now that looks so, so good!