Country style ribs are a deliciously meaty cut from the pork shoulder, known for their tenderness and rich flavor. Unlike traditional ribs, these are often boneless or have small bones, making them perfect for slow cooking and soaking up bold seasonings. If you’ve ever wondered how to cook country style ribs to juicy perfection, this guide will walk you through easy, foolproof methods to get mouthwatering results every time.
What Are Country Style Ribs?
Country style ribs come from the shoulder or blade end of the pig. They are meatier and thicker than baby back or spare ribs and usually boneless or with minimal bone. This cut has great marbling, which keeps the meat moist and tender during slow cooking. They’re economical and versatile, ideal for oven baking, smoking, or slow cooking with your favorite BBQ sauce or dry rub.
Preparing Your Country Style Ribs
Ingredients You’ll Need
– 3 to 7 pounds of country style ribs (boneless or bone-in)
– Yellow mustard (acts as a binder for rubs)
– Your favorite BBQ sauce
– Seasonings such as salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper
– Optional: apple cider vinegar, apple juice, butter, or liquid smoke for extra flavor and moisture
Cooking Methods for Tender Country Style Ribs
1. Oven-Baked Country Style Ribs
This is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to cook country style ribs, requiring only your oven and a baking dish.
Step-by-step:
– Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
– Mix a spice rub with ingredients like brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
– Coat the ribs with yellow mustard or olive oil to help the rub stick.
– Rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of the ribs.
– Place ribs in a 13×9-inch baking pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
– Bake for about 2 to 2.5 hours until ribs are tender.
– Remove foil, brush ribs generously with BBQ sauce, and bake uncovered at 350°F for 15 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
– Optional: Broil for 3-5 minutes to crisp up the edges.
2. Smoked Country Style Ribs
For a smoky flavor, use a smoker set to 225°F.
How to:
– Coat ribs with yellow mustard and a southwest seasoning rub.
– Smoke ribs about 3-4 hours until internal temperature reaches 175°F.
– Prepare a BBQ sauce mixture with water, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, and butter.
– Place ribs in a pan with BBQ sauce, cover with foil, and smoke for another 1-2 hours until ribs reach 200°F internally.
– Optional: Finish on the smoker at 400°F for 10-15 minutes for a crispy exterior.
3. Pan-Sear and Oven-Braise Method
This method starts with searing the ribs to lock in flavor, then slow-cooking in the oven.
Instructions:
– Preheat oven to 275°F.
– Season ribs with salt and pepper.
– Heat butter in a large skillet and brown ribs on all sides.
– Transfer ribs to a braising pan or high-sided sheet pan, cover tightly with foil.
– Bake for 2 hours until tender.
– Remove ribs, discard liquid, brush with BBQ sauce.
– Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, basting halfway through.
Tips for Perfect Country Style Ribs
– Bring ribs to room temperature before cooking for even heat distribution.
– Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: ribs are tender around 190-200°F internal temperature.
– Don’t rush the cooking-low and slow is key to tender ribs.
– Rest your ribs for 10 minutes after cooking to let juices redistribute.
– Adjust seasonings to your taste; add cayenne for heat or brown sugar for sweetness.
– Use foil to keep ribs moist during baking or smoking.
– Try adding apple cider vinegar or apple juice to your sauce or cooking liquid for extra tenderness and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Country style ribs pair wonderfully with classic BBQ sides like:
– Creamy mashed potatoes
– Coleslaw
– Baked beans
– Cornbread
– Mac and cheese
For a kid-friendly twist, use a sweeter BBQ sauce and serve with mac and cheese. For a gourmet touch, top ribs with crispy fried onions or a drizzle of hot honey.
Country style ribs are a versatile, flavorful cut that’s easy to cook at home whether you have a smoker, oven, or just a skillet. With simple ingredients and slow cooking, you’ll enjoy juicy, tender ribs bursting with smoky, savory goodness every time. Give these methods a try and impress your family and friends with your BBQ skills!