These Juicy Country-Style Pork Ribs are drenched in BBQ sauce and guaranteed to please.
Okay, so calling these “ribs” is a little bit misleading. I admit it. The name “country-style pork ribs” is technically a misnomer because these aren’t actually ribs at all. They’re a cut from the shoulder of the pig, typically sold boneless, with plenty of marbling and a rich, fatty, indulgent flavor reminiscent of real pork ribs.
This is what makes them “country style.” Unlike traditional spare ribs and baby back ribs, which come from the belly and the back of the animal, respectively, country-style pork ribs are a more economical cut that takes a little more time and effort to perfect. That means low and slow.
And that’s exactly why I love making them. Cheaper than real ribs and so easy to throw in the oven for a few hours, country-style ribs are perfect for backyard barbecues or feeding a crowd. They are incredibly flavorful, thanks to their high fat content, and take well to a variety of spices and seasonings. All you have to do is “set it and forget it.”
Are Country-Style Pork Ribs Healthy?
Country-style pork ribs are high in protein, but they’re also quite high in fat. Though this adds to their overall flavor, you can trim off the excess before cooking to help reduce the amount of fat in your final dish. Store-bought BBQ sauce can also vary in terms of its nutritional quality, with some brands being high in sugar, salt, and preservatives. Always check the ingredient list to make sure you’re buying something that suits your dietary needs. Overall, I consider country-style pork ribs a comfort food; enjoy them in moderation or when a special occasion calls!
Tips For Perfecting Your Country-Style Pork Ribs
While this recipe is pretty foolproof, there are a few small optional steps you can take to ensure it comes out perfect. First, you can season the pork ribs with your spices of choice and then let them marinate in the rub overnight. This will help the seasoning permeate the ribs all over so you get flavor packed into every bite.
Another thing you can do is let the country-style ribs come to room temperature before you toss them in the oven. This will help ensure they cook evenly.
Finally, make sure you let the ribs rest when they’re done cooking. This will help redistribute the juices throughout the meat so you get a tender, juicy result.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
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 4 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-degree Fahrenheit oven.
Serving Suggestions
I recommend you make a classic barbecue feast to accompany your country-style pork ribs. This Easy Sweet Vegan Cornbread is perfect for soaking up that BBQ sauce. And you can’t have ribs without slaw, can you? This Apple Coleslaw is sweet and refreshing, thanks to the fruit. Finally, serve up a piece of Healthy Chocolate Cake for a not-so-bad-for-you version of the classic dessert.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound country-style bone-in pork ribs
- pinch smoked paprika
- pinch salt and pepper
- 1/2 onion sliced
- 3-4 whole sprigs thyme
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the pork ribs with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and place in a single layer on a baking tray. Layer the sliced onions and thyme sprigs on top of the ribs.
- 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 another tray and drain the liquid. Return the ribs to the original baking tray and brush with the BBQ sauce.
- Return the coated pork ribs to the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. 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.
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