Smoking is an ideal method for cooking pork country style ribs. The low and slow technique of smokingpork results in juicy and tender meat. Country ribs done right involves seasoning the pork with a good amount of dry rub. Smoked ribs can also benefit from added moisture while cooking, such as a few spritzes of apple juice or apple cider vinegar. I like to finish my smoked country style ribs with a homemade or good bottled barbecue sauce.
The step-by-step recipe outlined here is for smoking on a pellet grill. You can also make smoked pork in an electric or propane smoker. It is possible to cook country style ribs on a charcoal grill. However, I would highly recommend you set up your charcoal grill as a smoker with an indirect heat source. Pork ribs can become dry and chewy when grilled directly over a flame.
What are Country Style Pork Ribs?
First, let’s take a look at the different styles of pork ribs. There are 3 classic styles of pork ribs. Spareribs are the largest cut from the hog’s rib section. These have flat bones. St. Louis style ribs are basically spareribs with the rib tips removed. Baby back ribs are the ones you are most likely to find in the supermarket. These are smaller but they have quite a bit of meat on the bones.
And then there are country style pork ribs. The name is a bit misleading because this cut is often from the shoulder area and are generally boneless. They are typically cut into 7 inch long strips and are about 2 inches in width and thickness, resembling ribs. These “ribs” are meaty, fatty, and delicious. If you love ribs but prefer plenty of meat and no bones, give country style ribs a try.
Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs: A Step-by-Step Recipe
This recipe is for 8 country style ribs that will easily feed 4 people. These will take some time over low heat, so plan on several hours of smoking. The pellet grill will be doing most of the work for you. You will have to check the hopper and replenish the pellets every few hours.
Equipment Needed
- Pellet grill
- Apple or cherry wood pellets
- Digital meat thermometer
- Paper towels
- Tongs
- Spray bottle
- Aluminum foil
- Cutting board
- Serving platter
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 8 country style pork ribs
- 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- Apple juice or apple cider vinegar for spray bottle
- 3/4 cup barbeque sauce (recipe follows)
Instructions
Pro Tip #1: Take the ribs out of the refrigerator 20 minutes prior to setting up your smoker. Room temperature pork will smoke more evenly.
Step 1. Rinse the ribs under cool running water. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Set these aside.
Step 2. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne. Coat the ribs with the mustard to cover all surfaces. Pat the dry seasoning rub into the mustard to coat the ribs. Set the ribs aside while you prepare your smoker.
Step 3. Fill the hopper of the smoker with pellets. Plug the smoker in and turn it on with the top open until a flame is established. Set the temperature to 225˚F and preheat the smoker with the top closed until it comes to temperature, approximately 5 minutes.
Step 4. Place the seasoned pork portions directly on the large rack of the grill. If the grill has a probe thermometer insert it into the thickest portion of one of the ribs. Close the lid and set a timer for 4 hours. Spray the ribs with apple juice after 2 hours and again at 3 hours.
Pro Tip #2: Remember to check the pellet hopper every few hours and replenish as needed.
Step 5. Check the internal temperature of the meat at 4 hours. You are looking for between 170˚F and 175˚F. Mop or brush some BBQ sauce on the top of the ribs and smoke for an additional 20 minutes. Flip the ribs over and mop the other side with sauce. Continue smoking the ribs until they reach an internal temperature of between 185°F and 190°F.
Step 6. Remove the ribs to a clean cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides, such as grilled corn relish and biscuits.
Pro Tip #3: Resting the cooked pork is essential. This will ensure that the juices will not run out of the meat when you cut into the ribs.
Download This Recipe
Save this recipe in your Cave Tools BBQ app or download other recipes from the community recipes exchange!
Homemade Barbeque Sauce Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: approximately 2-1/2 cups
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups ketchup
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Step 1. In a medium saucepot over medium heat, whisk together all ingredients. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes while stirring often.
Step 2. Allow the sauce to cool just enough to handle it. Use it immediately, or store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator. Reheat to serve with your ribs.
Pro Tip #4: You can make the sauce a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. This will help it to develop more intense flavor.
Download This Recipe
Save this recipe in your Cave Tools BBQ app or download other recipes from the community recipes exchange!
Final Thoughts
While country style pork ribs are not technically ribs, these pork portions are insanely delicious. They are well marble with tasty fat that keeps them moist and tender. A dry rub and a good BBQ sauce impart tons of flavor into these meaty ribs.
This recipe is for smoking the ribs on a pellet grill. You can also smoke them using an electric, propane, or charcoal smoker. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The timing should be the same as for a pellet grill.
Remember to replenish the pellets as needed. And, keep an eye on the internal temperature of the meat. You really can’t mess these smoked country style ribs up, even if they cook to a slightly higher temp. Any extra ribs will store well in the refrigerator for a couple of days. A personal favorite is to use the leftover ribs to make a breakfast hash with runny eggs the next morning.
The post Smoked Pork Country Style Ribs – Delicious Recipe appeared first on Grill Master University.
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