Country-style ribs are not actually ribs but cuts of pork from the shoulder/butt area of the pig. They are meatier than traditional ribs and usually sold in packages of about 8 ribs, totalling 2-3 lbs.
To cook country-style ribs, you should first rub them with a mix of spices and place them in a baking dish. Then, cover the dish with foil and bake for around 2 hours at 300-325°F. After this, remove the ribs from the oven and coat them in barbecue sauce. Place them back in the oven, uncovered, for another 15-30 minutes.
You can serve country-style ribs with baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, or a simple side such as a salad or steamed vegetables.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cooking method | Baking |
Cooking temperature | 250°F - 325°F |
Cooking time | 2 - 3 hours |
Meat type | Pork |
Meat weight | 2 - 4 lbs |
Meat quantity | 4 - 8 ribs |
Meat cut | Shoulder/butt |
Bone | Yes/No |
Marinade | BBQ sauce |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of meat
When shopping for country-style ribs, it is important to look for meat that is well-marbled, with a good amount of fat running through it. This helps to keep the meat moist and juicy during the long, slow cooking process. Country-style ribs are usually boneless, but you can also find bone-in options. Bone-in country-style ribs will have the scapula or shoulder blade, which adds even more flavour to the dish.
Be sure to avoid country-style ribs cut from the loin area, as these tend to be very lean and can dry out during cooking. Look for packages labelled ""butt/shoulder ribs" rather than "loin ribs". The standard package size is 2-3 lbs, which is perfect for a family meal. If you are cooking for more than four people, you may need a larger package.
In summary, when choosing the right cut of meat for country-style ribs, look for well-marbled meat from the shoulder/butt area of the pig. Avoid cuts from the loin area, as these can be dry. Opt for bone-in ribs if you want even more flavour, and make sure to get enough meat to feed your crowd!
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Seasoning and dry rubs
Choosing the Right Cut of Meat:
Country-style ribs are not actually ribs but cuts of pork from the shoulder or butt area, similar to the meat used for pulled pork. Ensure you select pork shoulder country-style ribs, which are well-marbled and ideal for slow cooking. Avoid pork loin ribs, as they are leaner and prone to drying out during prolonged cooking.
Dry Rubs and Seasonings:
A dry rub or spice blend can elevate the flavour of your ribs. You can purchase pre-made blends or make your own by mixing various spices and herbs. Here are some common ingredients used in dry rubs for country-style ribs:
- Smoked salt or regular salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
- Dried thyme or other dried herbs
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Brown sugar
Feel free to experiment with different combinations and add or remove ingredients based on your taste preferences. You can also adjust the spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper or chili powder.
Applying the Dry Rub:
Once you've gathered your ingredients and created your dry rub, it's time to apply it to the ribs. Here's a suggested method:
- Place the ribs in a large, gallon-sized zip-top bag.
- Add the dry rub to the bag, seal it, and shake well to coat the ribs evenly.
- Massage the seasoning into the ribs for about a minute to ensure they are thoroughly coated.
After applying the dry rub, you can follow the remaining steps in the baking process, such as placing the ribs in a baking dish, covering with foil, and baking at the appropriate temperature and time.
Customisation and Experimentation:
Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasoning blends and techniques. You can try adding liquids such as oil, butter, or mustard to your dry rub to create a paste-like consistency, which can help the seasonings adhere better to the meat. Additionally, you can try different cooking methods, such as grilling or smoking, to impart different flavours to your country-style ribs.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for country-style ribs depend on the weight of the ribs and the temperature setting of your oven. For instance, seven pounds of country-style ribs will take about two and a half hours to cook at 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lower the temperature, the longer the cooking time. A temperature of about 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit is needed to tenderise the meat while keeping it juicy and flavourful.
Country-style ribs should be cooked low and slow to ensure tenderness. This allows plenty of time for the connective tissue to break down.
For fall-apart meat, country-style ribs should be cooked for about three hours at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours, and then at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for the final hour.
If you are cooking more than one tray of ribs, add 15 minutes to the initial cooking time and swap them halfway through both cooking periods so that they cook evenly.
If your ribs are very large, extend the initial covered cooking time by 30 minutes.
Broiling
After the ribs have been cooked, you can optionally brush them with BBQ sauce and place them under the broiler for about five minutes, or until the sauce starts to caramelise.
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Saucing and glazing
Country-style ribs are not actually ribs but cuts of pork from the shoulder/butt area of the pig. They are meatier than other rib cuts and contain no rib bones. They are similar to ribs in appearance, flavour, and texture.
Country-style ribs can be grilled, baked, or roasted slowly. They can be cooked in an oven, a slow cooker, or on a grill. The key to cooking tender and juicy pork is to cook it slowly at a low temperature.
Country-style ribs can be sauced and glazed in the following ways:
- Brush the ribs with a generous coating of BBQ sauce and bake uncovered for another hour.
- Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and place under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the sauce starts to caramelize.
- Slather the ribs in sauce and bake for a while longer. Flip them, coat them again, and crank the oven heat up high to broil until they are sticky and a bit caramelized.
- Coat the ribs with barbecue sauce and return to the oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, turn the ribs over, and brush with additional barbecue sauce. Bake for an additional 20 minutes.
- Turn the ribs once more, brush generously with additional barbecue sauce, and return to the oven. Broil for about 5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and brush them with more BBQ sauce.
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Serving suggestions
Country-style ribs are a great alternative to traditional ribs. They are tender, juicy, and easy to make. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this delicious dish:
- Sides: Country-style ribs go well with classic barbecue sides such as baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and pasta salad. Macaroni and cheese is also a popular side dish, as are steamed vegetables or a simple salad.
- Sauces: A generous coating of barbecue sauce is a must for country-style ribs. You can use store-bought or make your own. Some recipes also suggest serving the ribs with a side of broth made from the pan juices.
- Drinks: As country-style ribs can be quite rich and fatty, a refreshing drink like lemonade can be a good pairing.
- Desserts: There are no specific dessert suggestions, but something light and refreshing could be a good contrast to the rich main course.
- Portion Sizes: As a guide, two standard-sized country-style ribs per person is a generous serving. For larger appetites or if you want leftovers, you can increase the portion size or make additional ribs.
- Leftovers: Country-style ribs make great leftovers. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat gently in the microwave.
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Frequently asked questions
Country-style ribs need to bake for around 2-3 hours, depending on the weight of the ribs and the temperature of the oven.
Bake the ribs at between 250°F and 325°F. The lower the temperature, the longer the cook time.
First, season the ribs with salt and pepper, and/or a dry rub. Then, place the ribs in a single layer in a roasting pan or baking dish, with the fattier side facing up. Cover the pan with foil and bake.
Country-style ribs are done baking when the meat is tender and can be pulled apart with a fork.