Fall-Off-The-Bone Tender: How Long to Cook Pork Boneless Ribs to Perfection

Juicy, tender pork boneless ribs are a treat for the tastebuds. But nailing the right cooking time can seem tricky. Undercook them and you get tough, chewy meat. Overdo it, and you end up with dry stringy ribs. Luckily, there are some simple techniques to cook pork boneless ribs perfectly every time.

In this article I’ll share everything you need to know about how long to cook pork boneless ribs in the oven, slow cooker, pressure cooker or on the grill. Let’s get cooking!

How Long to Cook Pork Boneless Ribs in the Oven

The oven allows you to cook pork boneless ribs low and slow, breaking down the connective tissue for fall-off-the-bone results. Here are the standard oven cook times:

• At 325°F, cook for 1 1⁄2 – 2 hours
• At 250°F, cook for 3 – 4 hours

The lower temperature extends the cooking time but results in super tender and juicy meat. Some tips for oven-cooking ribs:

• Choose meaty, evenly-sized ribs for even cooking.
• Season or marinate as desired before cooking.
• Arrange ribs in a single layer in a baking dish.
• Cover tightly with foil to prevent drying out.
• Cook until fork tender and an instant read thermometer reaches 190°F – 205°F internally.
• Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

The oven does require frequent basting and turning for best results. But the hands-off method yields incredible pork ribs with minimal fuss.

How Long to Cook Pork Ribs in a Slow Cooker

For busy weeknights, the slow cooker makes pork ribs a breeze. Here are the usual slow cooker times:

• On LOW, cook for 7 – 8 hours
• On HIGH, cook for 4 – 5 hours

The low gentle heat tenderizes the meat over time. Here are some useful slow cooker tips:

• Choose boneless country-style ribs for the slow cooker.
• Rub a spice mix or sauce over the ribs.
• Layer ribs snugly in the slow cooker.
• Pour over 1 cup broth or water.
• Cook on LOW for fullest flavor.
• Shred meat with forks when done.

The slow cooker frees up your oven while infusing the meat with smoky, robust flavor.

How Long to Cook Pork Ribs in a Pressure Cooker

For fall-off-the-bone ribs in record time, turn to the pressure cooker. Here are the ideal cook times:

• For 1-1.5 lbs of ribs, cook for 18 – 22 minutes
• For 2-3 lbs, cook for 30 – 35 minutes

Tips for perfect pressure cooked ribs:

• Cut ribs into individual pieces for even cooking.
• Add 1 cup broth to create steam.
• Pressure cook on HIGH following manufacturer’s instructions.
• Allow natural pressure release before opening.

Thanks to the intense pressure steam, the meat becomes succulent and tender in under an hour!

How Long to Grill Pork Boneless Ribs

Grilling imparts delicious smoky flavor to pork ribs. Grill for the times below over indirect heat:

• For medium ribs, cook for 1 – 1 1⁄2 hours
• For well-done ribs, cook for 1 1⁄2 – 2 hours

Helpful grilling guidelines:

• Choose thicker, meatier ribs for grilling.
• Use indirect heat on a two-zone fire.
• Turn ribs every 10-15 minutes for even cooking.
• Brush with sauce in the last 10-15 minutes.
• Check for doneness at 145°F for medium or 160°F for well-done.

The combination of smoky flavor from the grill and a sticky glaze makes these pork ribs irresistible!

How to Tell When Pork Ribs are Done

Checking doneness of pork ribs can be confusing without a meat thermometer. Here are signs the ribs are fully cooked:

• Meat has shrunk back from the bones by 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch.
• A fork inserted meets little resistance when twisting.
• Internal temperature reaches 190°F – 205°F.
• Cut between bones shows no pink and juices run clear.

When in doubt, cut into a rib to visually inspect for doneness. Undercooked pork can be unsafe to consume, so it’s worth the extra check!

Tips for Maximizing Tenderness

Beyond cooking times, there are some easy ways to make pork ribs succulently tender:

• Choose the right ribs – Meaty, well-marbled boneless country-style ribs are ideal. Avoid spare ribs.

• Remove membrane – Use a knife to peel off the silvery membrane for tender bites.

• Marinate overnight – A flavorful wet or dry rub marinade enhances juiciness.

• Cook low and slow – Ideal cooking temp is 250°F – 325°F. High heat makes meat tough.

• Let rest before cutting – Resting 5-10 minutes allows juices to distribute evenly.

• Slice across the grain – Cutting across the grain shortens muscle fibers for tenderness.

With the right prep and techniques, you can enjoy the most mouthwateringly tender and flavorful pork ribs anytime!

Handy Pork Boneless Ribs Recipe

This easy recipe for oven-baked ribs is guaranteed to satisfy:

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pork boneless country-style ribs
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Peel off membrane from ribs. Mix together dry rub ingredients and coat ribs evenly.
2. Arrange ribs in a single layer in a baking dish. Pour 1 cup water in bottom of dish.
3. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 300°F for 3 hours.
4. Remove foil, brush ribs with barbecue sauce and bake uncovered for 30 minutes more.
5. Rest 5 minutes before slicing between bones to serve.

The sweet and spicy dry rub combined with sticky barbecue sauce gives these boneless ribs irresistible depth of flavor. Cook low and slow for succulent results!

Get Perfectly Cooked Pork Ribs Every Time

Learning how long to cook pork boneless ribs may take some trial and error. Ovens, slow cookers and grills all heat differently. Use the recommended times as a starting point and adjust as needed based on thickness of ribs and doneness cues. With a few attempts, you’ll have tender juicy ribs figured out in no time!

Now that you know exactly how long to cook pork boneless ribs in every situation, you can enjoy this versatile and economical cut to its full potential. Whip up finger-licking ribs any night of the week to delight family and friends!