How good do country-style pork ribs sound? If you’ve never had them, you’re missing out. These ribs are tender, succulent, and packed with delicious barbecue flavors.
We have a classic country-style pork ribs recipe for you to try, but this recipe can be tweaked and changed to suit your tastes!
You may think you know ribs, but these pork ribs are different from your typical rack of ribs. Once you make these, they’ll become a favorite in your house!
What Are Country-Style Pork Ribs?
Surprisingly, country-style pork ribs are not ribs! They are cuts of pork shoulder, the same cut of meat you use to make carnitas or pulled pork. You may be disappointed to learn this, but the bright side if pork shoulder is significantly cheaper than genuine beef or pork ribs.
Country-style ribs use the fatty marbled part of the shoulder, creating tender and juicy “ribs.” Another distinction between country-style pork ribs and classic ribs is that country-style ones are baked in the oven, so no grill is required.
While you can make country-style ribs on a grill, oven-baked ribs never disappoint! While it may seem like these are just oven-baked pork chops, they are so much more!
Ingredients and Equipment
There are many recipes for country-style ribs, but this recipe is simple and delicious. You can find recipes with more innovative ingredients, but for now, try this classic country-style recipe. For this country-style pork ribs recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Pork shoulder (or pork butt)
- Garlic
- Lemon
- BBQ sauce (whatever sauce is your favorite!)
- Salt
- Pepper
Along with salt and pepper, you can add other herbs and spices if you want. However, try keeping it simple the first time you make this before you start experimenting with other flavors and ingredients.
You should use pork shoulder. If necessary, you can use a pork butt, as this cut of meat is similarly fatty and juicy. However, traditional country-style pork ribs should use pork shoulder.
If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can substitute the cloves with two teaspoons of minced garlic from a jar. If you don’t have minced garlic, you can add garlic powder to step 4 below or omit the garlic from the recipe.
As for barbecue sauce, we recommend a classic sauce with traditional barbecue and country flavors. Something with the right balance of sweet and savory will result in the best ribs.
You also need a few pieces of equipment you may not have on hand:
- Silicone basting brush
- Foil
- Roasting pan (or baking sheet)
A roasting pan will result in more tender pork ribs, but you can also use a baking sheet if you do not have one. A silicone basting brush will also result in more tender and flavorful ribs. You can use a traditional basting brush, but silicone brushes are the best!
Country-Style Pork Ribs Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Silicone basting brush
- 1 Foil
- 1 Roasting pan (or baking sheet)
Ingredients
- 1 Pork shoulder (or pork butt)
- 1-2 cloves Garlic
- 1 Lemon
- 1 bottle BBQ sauce (whatever sauce is your favorite!)
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250º Fahrenheit or 120º Celsius.
- Mince the garlic and cut the pork shoulder or pork butt into rib-shaped pieces. They should be about one inch wide, one inch thick, and three to five inches long. Slice the lemon into rounds.
- Layer the bottom of your roasting pan or baking sheet with foil. Place the ribs on the foil in one layer, evenly spaced out.
- Salt and pepper the ribs lightly if desired, spread the garlic generously on each rib, and place a lemon slice on top of the ribs.
- Bake the ribs in the oven at 250º for about two hours or until tender. When tender, the meat will tear easily with a fork.
- Once tender, remove the spare ribs from the oven and drain any grease or liquid on the bottom of the pan. Turn your oven down to 225º Fahrenheit or 110º Celsius.
- Pour the whole bottle of barbecue sauce onto the ribs and spread thoroughly. Return the ribs to the oven and bake for an additional hour or longer. You want the sauce to bake into the meat to achieve the perfect flavor.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and serve immediately!
Tips and Tricks for Country Style Pork Ribs Recipe
To make this recipe even better, we have a few tips and tricks. Try the simple, classic recipe first. But after you get comfortable making these, try adding different flavors to spice it up!
- For an Asian-style rib meal, replace the barbecue sauce with teriyaki sauce or hoisin sauce!
- Some pork shoulders may have a bone, but the bone should be discarded while cutting the meat.
- Don’t cut away and discard any fat from the pork, as this keeps the meat juicy and flavorful while it cooks. If desired, you can discard the fatty parts when the ribs finish cooking.
- Don’t be afraid to use extra barbecue sauce to make the ribs even juicier and more succulent spare ribs!
- This recipe pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, green beans, and macaroni and cheese!
- If you love a little heat, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the ribs during step 7.
Nutrition Information of Country Style Pork Ribs Recipe
Below is the nutrition information for this recipe. The nutritional values of country-style spare ribs may differ between recipes or vary if you made ingredient substitutions. For example, the barbecue sauce you choose will significantly affect the nutritional value (and flavor).
- Calories: 625
- Fat: 31g
- Carbs: 39g
- Protein: 46g
Conclusion
A rack of ribs is yummy, but these country-style pork ribs offer an equally delicious flavor and phenomenal texture.
If you love dishes like pulled pork or carnitas, you’ll enjoy how these tender ribs fall apart at the touch of your fork. We’re confident you’ll add this to your list of favorite barbecue recipes.
Absolutely delicious and worth all the work!
As soon as I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it and so glad I did! My whole family loved this meal.
I have made this recipe quite often and have always loved it!