Juicy Country-Style Pork Ribs
Get a taste of the country (sorta) without leaving your kitchen with this recipe for Country-Style Pork Ribs—drenched in BBQ sauce and guaranteed to please.
Table of Contents
Okay, so that introduction is a bit misleading. I admit it. But then, the term “country-style” is a bit misleading, too, wouldn’t you agree? I mean, these ribs aren’t cooked in any particular way; what makes them done in the style of the country is the cut of meat that is used. Whereas traditional ribs come from either the belly or the back of the animal and feature, well… ribs, country-style ribs use the meat found where the shoulder meets the loin. So, they’re not even ribs at all.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make them! They are incredibly flavorful, thanks to their high fat content, and are ideal for when you want to “set it and forget it”. They maintain their juices well and are relatively inexpensive, which means they are the pork for all seasons! Just don’t call them ribs!
Are Country-Style Pork Ribs Healthy?
Pork ribs are an excellent source of protein. They can be quite fatty, however. While this adds to their flavor, some may want to trim the excess fat in the name of nutrition. The barbecue sauce can also be a bit of a mixed bag. Inspect the ingredients of whichever sauce you go for and ensure you’re okay with its contents in terms of your diet. Speaking of which, this recipe is suitable for Mediterranean, low-carb/keto (provided you use a low-sugar BBQ sauce), paleo (provided you use a compliant BBQ sauce), gluten-free, and whole30 (provided you use a sugar-free BBQ sauce) diets.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb. country-style pork ribs, bone-in
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- pinch of salt and pepper
- pinch of smoked paprika
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- sprig of thyme
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat the oven to 300°F. Season the pork ribs with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and place in a single layer with the sliced onions and thyme on a baking tray.
Drizzle
Drizzle the pork ribs with olive oil and cover with aluminum foil.
Bake
Bake the pork ribs for 2 hours until tender.
Drain
Transfer the ribs to a tray and drain the liquid. Return the ribs to the baking tray and brush with the BBQ sauce.
Bake
Return the coated pork ribs to the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 275°F. Bake the ribs for another 30 minutes, until you can pull the meat apart with a fork.
Brush
Brush the baked pork ribs with some more BBQ sauce and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
DEVOUR!
Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Country-Style Pork Ribs
- If it looks like your ribs have too much fat, trim some back. Some fat is tasty, a lot of fat can make for a greasy meal.
- If you have the time, let the ribs marinate in the rub for as long as you can spare.
- Let the ribs come to room temperature to promote even cooking.
- Let the ribs rest before cutting into them so the juices have a chance to redistribute throughout the meat.
FAQs
Use a fork to see whether you can pull the meat apart. As well, you can use a meat thermometer. The ribs are done when they’ve attained an internal temperature of 145°F.
Chopped parsley, chives, or cilantro will add a nice flash of color to the dish. Or you can add some lemon and/or orange zest over the ribs for a citrusy zip. Want a nutty crunch? Add toasted sesame seeds or chopped nuts (e.g., peanuts and/or almonds).
First, don’t forget to wrap the ribs in aluminum foil. You can also try soaking them in a brine of water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes beforehand.
Sure. You may want to use indirect heat (i.e., don’t place them directly over the flame) so that they cook nice and slowly.
Sure. In fact, country-style ribs rarely have bones in them, so it may be easier to find them. They may also take less time to cook and retain less moisture so take the precautions listed above.
Serving Suggestions
Easy Sweet Vegan Cornbread: Easy to make and perfect for soaking up that BBQ sauce. Also free of dairy and animal products if that’s important to you as you munch on your ribs.
Apple Coleslaw: You can’t have ribs without slaw, can you? This one has a nice sweetness to it, thanks to the fruit.
Healthy Chocolate Cake: A not-so-bad-for-you version of the classic dessert.
How To Prep and Store Juicy Country-Style Pork Ribs
Let the ribs cool completely before either wrapping them in aluminum foil or placing them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze them. Just wrap them in foil then place them in an airtight container. They should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in a 350°F oven.
Juicy Country-Style Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 lb. country-style pork ribs bone-in
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- pinch salt and pepper
- pinch smoked paprika
- 1/2 onion sliced
- sprig of thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Season the pork ribs with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and place in a single layer with the sliced onions and thyme on a baking tray.
- Drizzle the pork ribs with olive oil and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake the pork ribs for 2 hours until tender.
- Transfer the ribs to a tray and drain the liquid. Return the ribs to the baking tray and brush with the BBQ sauce.
- Return the coated pork ribs to the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 275°F. Bake the ribs for another 30 minutes, until you can pull the meat apart with a fork.
- Brush the baked pork ribs with some more BBQ sauce and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- If it looks like your ribs have too much fat, trim some back. Some fat is tasty, a lot of fat can make for a greasy meal.
- If you have the time, let the ribs marinate in the rub for as long as you can spare.
- Let the ribs come to room temperature to promote even cooking.
Nutrition
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