Country Style Ribs in Oven (Boneless Pork Ribs)

Name: Country Style Ribs in Oven
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 185 min
Ingredients: 6 lb country style ribs; 3 tsp fine sea salt; 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 Tbsp avocado oil; 2 tsp hickory liquid smoke; 1 bottle bbq sauce ((approx. 18oz)); 4 cloves garlic, (minced)

Gluten-Free
Dairy-Free
Paleo
Low Carb
Whole30

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You’re going to love how delicious this country style ribs recipe is! Country style ribs in the oven are super simple to make and great for any occasion! This easy recipe for boneless pork ribs only takes about 20 minutes of hands-on time and the oven does the rest.

The most delicious country style ribs in the oven!

These oven baked country style ribs are seared on the stovetop and then cooked low and slow in the oven for the most tender, melt in your mouth boneless pork ribs you’ve ever tasted. I couldn’t believe how flavorful and tender they turned out the first time I made these! And with just a few simple ingredients!

The quick stovetop sear gives these boneless pork ribs a great depth of flavor and seals in all the moisture for some seriously juicy results! Add your favorite barbecue sauce and you’ve got some finger-licking good ribs made with very little effort. Such great flavor!

These tasty boneless pork ribs are a great meal for any night of the week, great for weekend parties, and sure to be loved by the whole family! This recipe is definitely one of my new favorite ways to cook pork.

What are country-style ribs?

They’re not actually ribs! Country style pork ribs are totally different from traditional ribs! They don’t come from the same area as the spare ribs or baby back ribs.

They come from the pork shoulder area, the same area that pork butt and pork shoulder roasts are cut from. These succulent ribs are cut near the shoulder blade end of the pork loin. Country ribs are basically one big hunk of meat cut into rib shapes to make boneless ribs.

Country ribs are a cut of pork with a ton of marbling and are basically all meat, so they turn out really juicy, tender, and this recipe feeds 6-8 people with just 6 lb of ribs! They are also really cheap, so they are perfect for feeding a crowd on a budget.

Boneless pork ribs are common in the United States and can usually be found at your local grocery store, Costco, Walmart, Aldi, Kroger, Ralphs, Sam’s Club, and even Target! The great thing is that you can also ask your local butcher to cut them for you.

What cut of meat is country-style ribs?

Country style ribs (aka country ribs or boneless pork ribs) are from the pork shoulder area. Some people say that they are the same as pork chops, but this is not true.

Pork chops are cut from the loin of the pig. The loin is much leaner, with little marbling. Boneless pork ribs have a ton of marbling, making them perfect to cook low and slow.

Country style ribs are usually pork. But I have seen country style beef ribs before! They aren’t as common though. Maybe I’ll have to try them next time!

Country style ribs in oven vs. smoker

These tasty ribs are amazing on the smoker, but if you don’t have time to babysit your smoker all day or just want something easier, then these country style ribs in the oven are for you!

Both methods give you nice, tender ribs! You will obviously get more smoky flavor from the smoker method, but with the liquid smoke I’ve added to this recipe, you’ll actually get some really nice smoky hickory flavor! YUM!

Can you use a gas grill? Absolutely! Follow the recipe as stated below but just do your oven-baking on the grill instead over indirect heat. Just be sure to keep your internal grill temperature consistent.

boneless pork ribs with bbq sauce and parsley garnish

Ingredients to make oven-baked country-style ribs

(printable recipe card below)

6lb country style ribs
3 tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp avocado oil
2 tsp hickory liquid smoke
1 bottle of your favorite bbq sauce (approx. 18oz)
4 cloves garlic, minced

How to cook country style ribs in the oven

(printable recipe card below)

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. Heat a large skillet or braising pan over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil once it’s hot and coat the bottom. Add boneless pork ribs and brown all sides, working in batches as needed. Avoid overcrowding the pan so that you get a good sear. This will take about 8-10 minutes per batch.

5. Place all of the browned ribs back into the skillet or braising pan in a single layer, brush with liquid smoke and cover with a tight-fitting lid. You can also use a baking dish with a lid if your skillet is not oven-safe. Use something with high sides, as a lot of fat will render out.

6. Place pan in oven on the center rack and allow to cook for 2 hours.

7. Remove pan from the oven and carefully transfer the country style ribs to a plate with a spatula or tongs. They are going to be really tender, so be careful when transferring them so they don’t break apart. Pour off all of the liquid left in the pan and discard.

8. Carefully place the country style ribs back into the pan, pour bbq sauce over the top, sprinkle on minced garlic, and use a brush mix in the garlic and coat the tops and sides with the sauce.

9. Place the pan back in the oven, uncovered, and allow to cook for 45 minutes, basting halfway through with the bbq sauce. The internal temperature of the boneless pork ribs should be 170ºF when they are done.

10. Remove from the oven and serve with your favorite sides an extra barbeque sauce! The caramelized sauce is so good, so if there is any left in the pan, don’t forget to use it!

11. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What to serve with boneless pork ribs

I love these juicy boneless country ribs with homemade buttermilk biscuits and green beans. Or a good homemade potato salad! YUM! And don’t forget the extra bbq sauce for serving.

How do you make country-style ribs tender?

The best way to ensure melt in your mouth boneless country-style ribs is to cook them low and slow. Any recipe where they are cooked in less than 1 hour is just not going to give you that nice tender, melt in your mouth goodness. I’m sure they still taste great, but they will definitely not be as tender as these. Just sayin’.

While pork is safe to eat at 145ºF, it is important to cook country style pork ribs to at least 170ºF to get the most tender results. This allows more of the fat to breakdown and melt, giving the meat that fall apart tenderness you want.

Are country style ribs tough?

Country style ribs should not be tough! In fact, using this recipe you will get the most tender, sumptuous ribs you’ve ever had. If there was a bone, the meat would literally be falling off of it. Every single time.

The only time boneless country style ribs will turn out tough is if you cook them at too high of a temperature and/or too quickly.

With this foolproof recipe for boneless pork ribs, you won’t have to worry about your ribs turning out tough. They come out perfect and fall off the bone tender every time! If there was a bone, that is!

How long to cook country style ribs in oven at 350

Short answer: 1 hour 45 minutes in the oven at 350ºF

If you want to cook country style ribs in the oven at 350ºF to speed up the process, it is definitely an option. I don’t really recommend it if you want the absolute most tender ribs, but to each their own. The bbq ribs will still be fork tender, just not fall-apart tender.

To cook at 350ºF, use the same instructions as listed in this recipe, but reduce the initial covered cook time of 2 hours to only 1 hour. Then remove the lid, cover with bbq sauce, and cook for the additional 45 minutes (same as the original recipe).

With this higher oven temperature, not as much fat will break down and liquify, so it is actually possible to cook in a more shallow baking pan, if desired.

How to cook country style ribs in the oven fast

While slow cooking low and slow is undoubtedly the best way to cook country style ribs, or really any kind of ribs, sometimes you’re just in a hurry and need to get dinner on the table. A low temp just isn’t going to cut it. I’ve got you covered!

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.

This is the fastest way to cook country style ribs, but I really don’t recommend it. The texture will be similar to a baked chicken breast when finished. Not terrible, but not super tender either.

country style ribs served on white plate

Is this boneless pork ribs recipe healthy?

In moderation, this boneless pork ribs recipe can be part of a healthy diet. Country style ribs are notoriously fatty. Their marbled fat is what helps them become so tender, juicy, and flavorful! Fatty meats can have a place in a healthy diet, if eaten in moderation.

So, are country style ribs a great choice for a reduced calorie diet? Probably not. They really do pack a lot of calories and could be a huge chunk of your daily values for fat. But if you are making them for a party or for your family, you can still enjoy them in moderation! Have a smaller portion and then fill your plate with leaner meats like chicken breast or even pork chops. So yes, they can be enjoyed even if you are watching your calories!

Another thing to consider is the quality of your meat. Conventionally raised pork will have fewer nutrients and could potentially be contaminated with things like pesticides and glyphosphate (aka roundup) from their feed and living environment.

It’s always a good idea to choose pasture-raised, organic pork if it fits in your budget.

How to cook boneless country style beef ribs in the oven

For boneless beef ribs, the process is actually the same! Same temperature and cooking time listed in the recipe.

Keep in mind that these are different from short ribs, which are sections of beef ribs with bone. These rib cuts are perfect for braising! I love doing red wine-braised short ribs on Sundays with silky mashed potatoes!

Alternative ingredients and methods to try out

Different ingredients to try

Dry rub or spicy rub – Either homemade or store-bought. Some ingredients for homemade dry rub include garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and chili powder.
Homemade bbq sauce – I love making my own bbq sauce! Just simmer in a medium saucepan until all the flavors meld and it has thickened and then use in this yummy country style ribs recipe!
Smoked paprika – Liquid smoke isn’t the only thing you can use to give you that smoky flavor, smoked paprika can also be an excellent choice!
Olive oil – Can be used in place of avocado oil if that’s what you have on hand (I do not recommend using nonstick cooking spray).
Apple cider vinegar
Kosher salt – I always recommend sea salt because of the health benefits, but you can substitute with kosher salt if needed.
Bone-in country style ribs – These delicious country-style pork ribs can also be made with the bone-in variety! Use the same instructions and cooking times. The rib bones do not actually change the recipe and need just as much time in the oven. It might be hard to fit them all in one braising pan though! A large sheet pan with high sides is recommended.

Alternative methods

Aluminum foil – you will see aluminum foil used in many other rib and country style rib recipes, but I do not recommend using foil. The other recipes often recommend using a top piece of foil over a baking dish or sheet pan to seal in the moisture. I recommend using a baking dish or braising pan with a lid. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin that can contribute to decline in neurological function over time. Aluminum has been linked to dementia and Alzheimers, in particular. In addition, during the first phase in the oven when the ribs are covered, a lot of liquid is going to accumulate and doing it on a sheet pan or foil-lined baking sheet could mean you have some liquid spilling over and burning on the bottom of your oven.
Slow cooker
Air fryer

Love bbq? Check out my other recipes!

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