Country-style Pork Ribs ribs are a great rich and fall-apart tender alternative to traditional ribs. Cheap, easy to make, and SO good, this might just be your new favorite way to eat pork.
One of the first really popular recipes on this site was my No-Fuss Easy Oven-Baked Ribs. Even though the recipe calls for beef back ribs, people have been asking if they can be used to make country-style pork ribs since the post went live.
Every single time, I had to say I didn’t know because I had never eaten or cooked country-style ribs.
Well, I got tired of always saying “I don’t know” and feeling like I was missing out on something (because clearly, other people love these things), so I tried them myself. I’m so mad now.
Guys, I am so angry I haven’t been making these for years because country-style ribs ARE AMAZING. And this is coming from someone who is usually firmly Team Beef Ribs over pork.
These ribs are so tender and rich and easy to make. These beautiful ribs have meat that you can shred with a fork. They only take two ingredients and ten minutes of hands-on prep time.
If you’re thinking, “That sounds great, but what are country-style pork ribs?” keep reading.
Country style pork ribs are a delicious, flavorful cut of meat, but cooking them just right can be tricky. Unlike spare ribs or baby back ribs, country style ribs come from the shoulder of the pig, so they have more connective tissue that needs to be broken down through long, slow cooking to make them tender. If you’re wondering how long to bake boneless country style pork ribs to get them perfectly tender without drying them out, read on for tips and timing guidelines.
What are Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs?
Shoulder cuts from a pig that have had the bone taken out before being cut into ribs are what boneless country style pork ribs are. They have a lot of meat, lots of marbling, and a fair amount of connective tissue. In these ways, they work great for braises, stews, and other wet cooking methods, where the collagen will turn into delicious gelatin over time.
Why Bake Instead of Grill?
While grilling over high heat can give country style ribs a lovely char, baking allows you to cook them low and slow which is key to breaking down the connective tissue The steady dry heat of the oven surrounds the meat, gently coaxing out moisture as the ribs cook.
Baking gives you more control over the temperature and makes it easier to monitor the ribs compared to grilling or smoking them. It’s a foolproof way to get fall-off-the-bone tender boneless country style ribs every time
How Long Should You Bake Them?
Country style ribs without bones should be baked at 300°F for at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours, according to most recipes. But the exact time can change a lot depending on a few things, such as
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Thickness of the ribs – Thicker ribs will need more time to become tender. Thin ribs may only need 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
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Boneless vs. bone-in – Boneless ribs cook faster since the bone acts as an insulator. Bone-in ribs can take 30-60 minutes longer.
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Amount of ribs – The more ribs in the pan, the longer they will need to bake without drying out.
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Oven accuracy – If your oven runs hot or cold, the cooking time may be shorter or longer.
The best way to tell when they’re done is by checking for tenderness. The meat should pull apart easily and may even fall off the bone. An instant read thermometer inserted into the center should read 195-205°F when they’re fully cooked.
Step-by-Step Method
Follow these simple steps for perfect baked boneless country style ribs every time:
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Prep the ribs – Pat dry and coat lightly with oil or dry rub. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven – Preheat your oven to 300°F.
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Arrange ribs – Place ribs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding.
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Cover and bake – Cover pan tightly with foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
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Uncover and check – Remove foil, drain excess liquid, and check tenderness. Bake up to 30 minutes more if needed.
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Brush with sauce – In the last 10-15 minutes of baking, brush with your favorite BBQ sauce.
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Rest and serve – Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Baking at a low 300°F gives the ribs plenty of time to become fall-apart tender. Basting them with sauce at the end allows the sugars to caramelize and creates a delicious crust.
Cooking Tips
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Avoid peak oven temperatures above 300-325°F which can cause the exterior to overcook before the inside is done.
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Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying solely on time.
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Let the ribs rest before slicing or serving to allow juices to redistribute.
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Add smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, and other spices to the dry rub for extra flavor.
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For even more tenderness, bake them in broth or apple juice instead of dry.
Pair with Classic BBQ Sides
Baked country style ribs pair perfectly with classic barbecue sides like:
- Cornbread or biscuits
- Coleslaw or potato salad
- Baked beans
- Collard greens
- Corn on the cob
- Mac and cheese
- Fried okra or apple pie
The possibilities are endless! The long cooking time and minimal prep make boneless country style pork ribs an easy and delicious addition to your dinner table. Just allow 1 1/2 – 2 hours for baking, check for tenderness, and enjoy!
How to Cook Country Style Pork Ribs in the Oven
For fall-apart meat, country-style ribs really need to cook long and slow. Otherwise you’re going to get chewy pork.
The good news is that the cooking time is almost entirely hands-off. The ribs only need a little prep work before they’re ready to cook. Your oven will do most of the work here.
First, season the ribs with salt and pepper and arrange them in a single layer in a baking dish or roasting pan. If you use a baking sheet, make sure the edge is pretty high because the meat will leak a lot of liquid as it cooks.
Cover with foil and bake at 300°F for 2 hours. Go read a book and sip some lemonade in front of a fan.
The meat will be hot when you take it out of the oven, so be careful when you do so. Also, drain the liquid from the tray. The meat looks super gross and sad at this point, but don’t worry. The next time it comes out of the oven, it will be beautiful.
Brush a generous coat of your favorite BBQ sauce over the meat.
Lower the temperature to 275°F and then bake uncovered for another hour. When the meat is easy to pull apart with a fork and has a nice crust of BBQ sauce, your ribs are done.
After adding a little more sauce, let the ribs rest for a few minutes. Then, serve them with mashed potatoes or macaroni salad and a simple vegetable side dish like oven-roasted broccoli or garlic and butter green beans.
What Are Country-style Pork Ribs?
Country-style pork ribs aren’t ribs at all. They’re cuts of pork shoulder, which is the same meat you use to make pulled pork and carnitas. If you buy bone-in “ribs,” the y-shaped bone you get from a bone-in pork shoulder roast will be easy to spot.
This means that one, just like pork shoulder roasts, country-style ribs are super cheap, usually about $2/pound.
Two, they have a lot more meat than regular pork or beef ribs and none of that gross cartilage, so you get more meat for your money.
They also have a great amount of fat that helps keep them moist during the long, slow cooking process that leads to tender ribs that fall apart.
And speaking of long, slow cooking…
Oven Baked Country Style Pork Ribs
FAQ
What temperature should boneless country-style ribs be cooked to?
How long to cook ribs in the oven at 350 degrees?
What is the best temperature to cook pork ribs in the oven?
How long to cook pork ribs in oven?
How to cook country style ribs in the oven fast – Preheat oven to to 350ºF. Sear the boneless country-style pork ribs just like in the recipe above. Place them back in the pan and cover with bbq sauce. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the centers reach 145ºF.
How long do you cook boneless pork ribs?
Place the pieces of boneless pork rib into a baking dish, and brush with the olive oil and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, then remove to brush the ribs with barbecue sauce. Full size ribs will be done in 30 minutes of total cooking time.
How to cook boneless pork ribs?
1. Remove boneless country style pork ribs from the refrigerator and leave at room temperature for about 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 275ºF. 3. Season the country style ribs on all sides with salt and pepper. You can mix the salt and pepper together in a small bowl before seasoning the meat, if desired. 4.
How do you cook Boneless Ribs in the oven?
1. Preheat oven to 350 ° convection or 375° conventional oven. 2. Trim one slab (about 1 ½ lb) of country-style boneless ribs of fat cap and any silverskin. 3. Deepen the cuts to a little over half the thickness of the slab. Brine if you wish. 4.