Instant Pot Country Style Ribs: With just a dry rub and the Instant Pot, you can make pork that is sweet, tender, and juicy. Top with your favorite barbecue sauce for and over the top delicious dinner!.
My family loves pork. My son asks for Crispy Pork Cutlets at least twice a month, so we always have pork chops in the freezer. Plus pork in general is just so versatile, we enjoy it in so many different forms. But one of our all time favorites is pulled pork.
You can use a few different cuts of meat to make pulled pork, but my favorite is country style ribs! In the summer, I love Smoked Pork Butt, but in the winter or when I don’t have time, I use my Instant Pot!
Pulled pork is a classic barbecue dish loved by many. The traditional cut used is pork shoulder also known as Boston butt. But pork shoulder can be a large expensive cut. If you’re looking for a smaller, more affordable option, you may be wondering – can country-style ribs be used for pulled pork instead?
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at country ribs and see if they can stand in for pork shoulder to make delicious pulled pork.
What Are Country Ribs?
Country-style ribs come from the pork loin near the shoulder. They are meaty chops cut from this part of the loin.
Unlike spare ribs or baby back ribs, country ribs do not contain rib bones. They come from the blade end of the loin, so they contain part of the pork shoulder blade bone.
Country ribs can be sold bone-in or boneless Boneless country-style ribs are sometimes labeled pork shoulder steaks.
Country ribs have marbling similar to pork chops but are much thicker. They are juicier and more tender than spare ribs or baby backs.
Since they come from the same general area as pork butt, country ribs have excellent flavor. They work great for grilling, braising, roasting, or slow cooking.
Can You Make Pulled Pork with Country Ribs?
The good news is yes, country-style ribs can absolutely be used to make delicious pulled pork!
While pork shoulder is the traditional cut, country ribs have enough fat, collagen, and connective tissue to break down into tender and shreddable pulled pork with the right cooking method.
The keys are low and slow cooking, plenty of seasoning, and sufficient moisture. Follow those guidelines, and country ribs will make a tasty pulled pork alternative.
How to Cook Country Ribs for Pulled Pork
Cooking country ribs low and slow is the key to success. This helps break down the connective tissues and result in fall-apart tender meat.
There are several good options for making pulled pork with country ribs:
Slow Cooker
Cooking country ribs in a slow cooker is one of the easiest methods. Simply season the ribs, add some liquid like broth, beer, or apple juice, and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Once cooked, the meat will shred easily with forks. Toss with your favorite barbecue sauce to finish.
Oven
To make pulled pork in the oven, cook the country ribs at 275°F for 4-6 hours until fork tender. Use a roasting pan with a rack and add broth or other liquid to the bottom to keep things moist.
Once cooked, remove ribs from oven, shred meat with forks, and mix with barbecue sauce.
Instant Pot
An Instant Pot can quickly turn country ribs into pulled pork in under an hour. Season the ribs first, then cook for 30-40 minutes under high pressure with a cup of liquid.
Release pressure, shred meat, then mix with sauce. Add a touch of liquid smoke for extra flavor.
Smoker
Using a smoker is a classic way to make tender, smoky pulled pork from country-style ribs. Apply a dry rub, then smoke for 5-6 hours at 225°F with apple, cherry, or hickory wood.
When done, the meat will pull apart easily. Toss with barbecue sauce before serving.
Grill
You can also make pulled pork by grilling country ribs over indirect heat. This mimics oven or smoker cooking.
Set up a 2-zone fire, with high heat on one side and low heat on the other. Cook ribs over indirect low heat for 1-2 hours with the grill lid closed.
Use wood chips in a smoker box for extra smoke flavor. Shred, then mix with barbecue sauce.
Country Ribs Pulled Pork Tips
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Look for well-marbled country ribs with nice fat cap for moistness.
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Apply a spice rub before cooking to add flavor – use spices like paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic, and onion.
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Add liquid like broth, juice, or beer to the cooking method to keep ribs moist.
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Cook at low temp (225-275°F) for extended time to properly break down connective tissues.
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Cook until meat is very tender and starts to pull apart easily with fork.
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Let rest 10 minutes before pulling so juices can distribute evenly.
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Pull meat into shreds manually with two forks, or toss in stand mixer on low.
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Toss shredded pork with barbecue sauce. Serve on buns or over cornbread.
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Leftovers will keep refrigerated for 4-5 days, or freeze for later use.
How Country Ribs Compare to Pork Shoulder
While country ribs can substitute for pork shoulder, there are some differences between the two cuts:
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Pork shoulder is larger, so yields more pulled pork. Country ribs make a smaller batch.
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Pork butt has more interior fat and connective tissue since it’s from the leg.
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Country ribs cook slightly faster than pork shoulder – about 1 hour less time needed.
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Flavor is very similar, but shoulder may be a bit richer.
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Cost per pound is usually lower for pork butt than country ribs.
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Either cut will make delicious pulled pork with the right technique!
So while pork shoulder is the gold standard, country-style ribs are a tasty alternative, especially for smaller households or portions.
A Juicy Country Ribs Pulled Pork Recipe
Ready to give country ribs pulled pork a try? Here’s an easy recipe you can make in the oven or slow cooker:
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs bone-in country-style ribs
- 1⁄4 cup barbecue rub
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1⁄2 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
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Rinse ribs and pat dry with paper towels. Apply the barbecue rub generously on all sides, pressing to adhere.
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Place ribs in a slow cooker and add chicken broth. Cook on low 8-10 hours. For oven, roast at 275°F for 5-6 hours in a pan with broth.
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When cooked, meat will be very tender. Remove ribs from cooker. Reserve cooking liquid.
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Using two forks, shred and pull meat apart into bite-size pieces.
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In a bowl, mix shredded pork with barbecue sauce and 2-3 tbsp reserved cooking liquid to moisten.
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Serve pulled pork on buns with extra sauce. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are country ribs the same as pork shoulder?
No, country ribs are not the same cut of meat as pork shoulder. Country ribs come from the loin near the shoulder blade. Pork shoulder comes from the front leg of the pig. But they can be used similarly for pulled pork.
Do you need to add liquid when cooking country ribs?
Yes, it’s important to add liquid like broth, juice, or beer when slow cooking country ribs. This keeps the meat moist and helps break down connective tissues. Cook without liquid, and the ribs may dry out.
How long do you cook country ribs for pulled pork?
Cook for 8-10 hours on low in a slow cooker, or 4-6 hours wrapped at 275°F in the oven. For Instant Pot, cook 30-40 minutes under pressure. Cook times may vary a bit with size of ribs.
What wood is best for smoking country ribs?
For smoking country ribs, milder fruit woods like apple, cherry, and pecan work well and complement the pork flavor. Or use hickory for a robust, bacon-like taste.
Can you make pulled pork with boneless country ribs?
You sure can! Boneless country-style ribs contain the same tasty meat as bone-in and will still cook up juicy and shreddable when prepared using the techniques above.
The Verdict on Country Ribs for Pulled Pork
While pork shoulder is the traditional choice, country-style ribs prove to be a delicious alternative for making pulled pork. With sufficient cook time, seasoning, and moisture, they become fall-apart tender with all the flavors you expect in quality pulled pork. For smaller households or portions, country ribs are a tasty and often more affordable choice.
What to Serve with Country Style Pork Ribs
This country style rib recipe is super easy to make. You can use your favorite store-bought dry rub, the one I’ve included, or your own favorite. It’s important to use one, though, because it makes the meat taste so good. So I use boneless country style pork ribs most of the time when I shop at my store for this recipe. But if you have ones with the bone, don’t worry they will work great as well.
How Long to Cook Country Ribs in the Instant Pot
I find that it takes about 45 minutes to get the meat to be super tender and juicy. This works for both boneless country style pork ribs and if they have a bone. The bone will just slide out and you will have pieces of meat to shred.
It seems like the barbecue sauce gets watered down as the meat cooks, which changes the texture of the pork. That’s why I like to wait until the very end to add it. Once the rub is done, all that’s left to do is toss it with barbecue sauce or serve it with it.
