My neighbor who grew up on a farm taught me this old trick. Drop 4 things in the pot and by evening the meat literally falls off the bone into a thick

This slow cooker 4-ingredient brown sugar pork ribs recipe is the exact kind of no-fuss comfort food my neighbor (who grew up on a hog farm) swears by. She showed me this old trick years ago: you literally drop four pantry staples into the pot in the morning, walk away, and by evening the meat is falling off the bone into a thick, sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze. It’s perfect for busy workdays when you still want that cozy, home-cooked, from-the-farm taste without hovering over the stove.

Serve these sticky brown sugar pork ribs piled onto a white plate with the extra glaze spooned over the top. They’re amazing with creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles to catch all that sauce, plus something fresh and crunchy on the side like coleslaw or a simple green salad. If you’re leaning casual, tuck the meat into soft rolls for sandwiches and pair with baked beans or corn on the cob. A crisp apple cider, iced tea, or a light beer balances the sweetness of the glaze really well.

Servings: 4

3 to 4 pounds bone-in pork ribs (country-style or spare ribs)

Pat the pork ribs dry with paper towels and trim any very thick, hard pieces of fat if needed. Leave some fat on for flavor and tenderness.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

Place the ribs in the slow cooker in an even layer. It’s fine if they overlap a bit, but try to keep them mostly in one or two layers so they cook evenly.

Pour the brown sugar barbecue mixture evenly over the ribs, turning the ribs with tongs once or twice to coat them well in the sauce.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 7 to 9 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork is very tender and the meat is starting to fall off the bone.