Arrange the country style pork ribs in the slow cooker. Season them evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper, keeping the pieces in a single layer if possible.

Cover the slow cooker and cook the ribs on LOW. At the 4-hour mark, carefully lift the ribs out of the pot and set them aside briefly. Then pour off the cooking liquid.

Brush one side of the ribs with half of the barbecue sauce. Return the ribs to the slow cooker with the coated side facing down.

Brush the remaining barbecue sauce over the other side of the ribs. Cover the slow cooker and continue cooking for 1 to 2 hours, until the pork is very tender and easy to pull apart.

Around the 5-hour mark, check the thickest part of the pork with a digital thermometer. The pork should reach 160°F. If it has reached that temperature, transfer the ribs to a serving dish.

If the ribs have not reached the temperature or are still firm, return them to the cooker and check again in 15-minute increments.

Brush the ribs with extra barbecue sauce if you like. Serve them warm with your favorite sides.