These are perfect for the colder days leading into winter. We enjoyed them with braised winter greens, sweet potato pone and hot water cornbread. I put mine in the fridge overnight to make it taste better and added a half cup of Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce right at the end.
Boneless pork ribs offer all the finger-licking, fall-off-the-bone goodness of traditional ribs without the hassle of dealing with bones. They cook up quicker than regular ribs too, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
While boneless ribs often get thrown in the oven, I’m about to change your rib game forever. You can actually make insanely delicious boneless pork ribs completely on the stovetop. I’m talking tender, saucy ribs in under an hour – no oven required.
As a busy mom, this stovetop method has been life-changing. The ribs come out juicy and flavorful every time with just a few easy steps. Once you try these saucy boneless pork ribs from the stovetop, you’ll never go back. Let’s get cooking!
Benefits of Choosing Boneless Ribs
Boneless pork ribs are cut from the belly or loin area of the pig, rather than the breastbone area that true ribs come from. Without bones, they have a tender, uniform texture similar to a pork chop.
Here’s why boneless ribs are ideal for quick stovetop cooking:
Cook Faster – No bones means they cook through quickly, in about 30 minutes Oven ribs take hours
Easy Prep – Just open the package and season. No messy trimming or peeling membrane.
Kid-Friendly – With no bones to navigate around they’re perfect for kids.
Versatile Cuts – Use for ribs, chopped in stir-fries, or sliced for fajitas or kabobs
Look for vacuum-packed boneless country-style ribs for the best flavor and tenderness.
Step-By-Step Stovetop Method
Cooking boneless ribs on the stove is simple. Just sear, simmer, and sauce – that’s it!
1. Season the Ribs
Remove ribs from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides liberally with your favorite rib rub or spices like brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Sear the Ribs
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Sear ribs 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pan.
3. Simmer in Sauce
Reduce heat to low and add 1-2 cups barbecue sauce, broth, or other braising liquid to the pan. Flip ribs to coat in sauce. Cover and simmer 30-40 minutes until ribs are cooked through and tender.
4. Finish with Sauce
Uncover the pan and flip ribs to coat again in sauce. Simmer uncovered 5 more minutes to reduce sauce to desired thickness.
That’s all it takes for saucy, fall-off-the-bone boneless ribs without turning on the oven. Adjust simmer time for thicker or thinner ribs. Now let’s talk about some tasty ways to flavor up those ribs.
Flavorful Sauces for Lip-Smacking Ribs
The sauce possibilities are endless when making stovetop boneless ribs. Sweet, tangy, or spicy – take your pick!
Classic BBQ Sauce – For traditional ribs, use your favorite barbecue sauce. Store-bought or homemade both work.
Honey Balsamic Ribs – Whisk together 1 cup balsamic vinegar, 1⁄4 cup honey, and 2 Tbsp soy sauce. Simmer ribs in mixture for finger-licking results.
Asian Ribs – Use an Asian-style sauce of 1 cup chicken broth whisked with 3 Tbsp each soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Add minced garlic and ginger.
Chipotle-Mango Ribs – Puree 1 chopped chipotle pepper with 1 cup mango salsa. Pour over ribs and simmer in the sweet-spicy sauce.
Cola Ribs – Instead of water, use cola as the braising liquid. It infuses ribs with sweet caramelized flavor.
Recipe for Tender Stovetop BBQ Boneless Ribs
Want to just get cooking? Use this simple stovetop method and classic barbecue sauce for ribs the whole family will devour:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless pork ribs
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp each salt, garlic powder, onion powder
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Pat ribs dry and season with brown sugar and spices
- Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat
- Sear ribs 2-3 minutes per side
- Reduce heat to low, add barbecue sauce
- Simmer covered 30-40 minutes until tender
- Uncover and coat ribs with sauce for 5 minutes
The initial sear gives the ribs a perfect char while the simmering develops finger-licking, fall-off-the-bone texture. Brush with extra sauce before serving if you like them saucier.
Cooking Tips for Stovetop Ribs
-
Leave a thin layer of fat on ribs for flavor and moisture. Trim off any large excess pieces.
-
Use tongs and spatula to carefully flip ribs, avoiding piercings that can cause juices to leak out.
-
Cook in batches if needed to properly brown ribs without overcrowding the pan.
-
Add extra water or broth during simmering if sauce starts to dry out.
-
Check ribs frequently and adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
-
An instant-read thermometer should read 200°F when ribs are cooked through.
Serving Suggestions for Boneless Pork Ribs
These easy stovetop ribs pair well with so many sides. Serve them up:
-
On brioche buns as rib sandwiches with pickles and slaw
-
With baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread
-
On top of rice with sautéed peppers and onions
-
With roasted potatoes, carrots, and fresh greens
-
In tacos with shredded cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo
-
Tossed with noodles or pasta in an Asian-style peanut sauce
-
On top of a spinach salad with blue cheese crumbles
-
Over nachos piled high with all the fixings
-
In quesadillas with melted cheese and fresh salsa
The options are endless! Use leftover cooked ribs for quick meals too.
FAQs About Making Boneless Ribs on the Stove
How long do you cook boneless ribs on the stove?
Cook for 30-40 minutes simmering in sauce until fork tender. Check often to prevent overcooking.
What liquid do you cook boneless ribs in?
Use broth, barbecue sauce, cola, or a flavorful braising liquid like wine, vinegar, or fruit juice.
Do you sear boneless ribs before baking?
Yes, searing before simmering adds terrific caramelized flavor.
Should the ribs be covered or uncovered while cooking?
Cover during braising to keep ribs moist. Uncover at the end to reduce sauce.
Can you cook frozen boneless ribs on the stovetop?
Yes, thaw first and increase cooking time 5-10 minutes since they’ll be colder when starting.
Satisfying Meals with Leftover Boneless Ribs
Don’t toss those leftover ribs! Use them to make:
-
Breakfast tacos or burritos with scrambled eggs
-
Savory rib fried rice or pasta
-
Hearty rib soup with veggies and beans
-
Rib sandwiches with crispy onion rings
-
Loaded rib nachos or potatoes
-
Rib pizza or flatbread with extra cheese
-
Stir-fry with bell peppers, broccoli, and teriyaki
With the quick stovetop method, you can easily whip up a big batch of boneless ribs. Just cook once and enjoy the leftovers all week long in creative new ways.
Perfectly Simple Stovetop Ribs
Forget dry, bland oven ribs. With this easy stovetop recipe, you can enjoy saucy, tender boneless pork ribs any night of the week.
Next time you’re craving ribs, skip the long cook times and messy prep. Sear, simmer, and sauce your way tofinger-lickin’ stovetop ribs in under an hour. With endless flavor options and money-saving leftovers, why would you ever cook ribs another way?
Now grab a fork and fire up that stove. Juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs are calling your name.
Ingredients For stovetop, countrystyle ribs, iris
- 6 countrystyle pork rib pieces, about 1″ thick
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp onion powder
- 2 Tbsp fresh ground black pepper
- 3 Tbsp emerils essence seasoning
- 3 Tbsp a-1 sweet mesquite rub
- 2 Tbsp famous daves rib rub
- 1 1/2 c apple juice (your brand)
How To Make stovetop, countrystyle ribs, iris
- 1 Gather your ingredients. Prick your ribs with a fork and set aside.
- 2. Put everything in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag and seal it. Put the meat in a Pyrex dish and put it in the fridge overnight after giving it a good shake.
- 3. Take the ribs out of the marinade and let them warm up for about 30 minutes. Heat a skillet on the stove top til almost smoking. Cover the bottom of the pan with vegetable oil. Brown the ribs on both sides for as long as it takes for a crust to form.
- 4. Once the ribs are nicely browned, take them out of the pan and place them on a plate. Put the marinade in the pan and turn down the heat to a simmer. Put the ribs back in the pan and cover it with a lid that fits well.
- 5 Let simmer for 30 minutes, turning once. Check the sauce’s thickness. If it starts to stick, scrape the pan well. Put in half a cup of water and half a cup of sauce. Turn off heat and let sit 10 minutes. Then serve with your choice of sides.
- 6 Note: I DONT ADVISE RINSING YOUR MEAT. A while ago, I read that splashing water only helps spread possible contaminants and that cooking it long enough will kill salmonella, E. coli, and other germs. BUT USE YOUR OWN DISCRETION!! .
- Last Step: Don’t forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network and watch all of your friends drool. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too! .