Country Style Pork Ribs

Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Michelle

This is the first of many pastured pork recipes I share to help you cook your way through the pig.

Raising pigs has been one of the biggest highlights for our family of this new, homestead way of life. Knowing they had a great life, knowing exactly what they ate and where they lived, and knowing they were processed humanely at home was so fulfilling. The freezers full of amazing pork cuts have been a blessing all year long.

So I have to share some of the wonderful cuts we’ve discovered and our family’s favorite ways to enjoy pastured pork. This is the first in a new series… Cooking Your Way Through the Pig.

Country Style Pork Ribs at the Grocery Store

Every cut that I will be sharing about should be available from your local butcher, and most you may even find at your local grocery store. While you may find these as bone-in ribs at the store (which is what ours our, but, even so, many of the meat pieces in one package do not have bone attached), the bone is usually removed so they can be sold as boneless. The specific name of this cut is “pork loin country-style ribs.”

Country Style Pork Ribs at the Butcher

If your butcher doesn’t have any country-style pork ribs available, he may have some pork roasts, from the Boston Butt section of the pig, from which he could cut off a thick slice which he would cut into thick strips of meat that will be the same thing as mine, just minus any bone altogether.

If You’re Raising Your Own Pigs

If you’re raising your own pigs and trying to decide the exact cuts you want to ask for on your cut list, I want to explain what it took me years to learn:

With the Boston Butt you have 3 choices, but in my experience many butchers only mention two. They will ask if you want roasts or country style ribs (or both) from this section. But the part they don’t explain is that the country style ribs are essentially a pork steak, cut into strips. (Find out exactly how to prepare a pork steak right here.)

The roast is delicious. We love making pulled pork with ours.

And these country style ribs are wonderful. (A 4-pound package is perfect for a family of 6.)

But quite possibly our family’s favorite cut from the entire pig is the pork steak. That cut that most butchers don’t even offer…

And here’s the awesome secret… you can request that your butcher slice one or both of your Boston Butt sections into all pork steak, and then you can simply cut those steaks yourself, into strips, whenever you want a meal of country style ribs. I love the versatility.

What to Look for with Country Style Pork Ribs

Look for nice marbling, and you’re pretty much assured great flavor.

The rib recipe I’m sharing today is not the typical one you think of when you hear “ribs,” but I assure you it is amazingly delicious. I personally love these country-style ribs much more than regular ribs.

Oh, and maybe I should explain that I have no idea why this cut is called “ribs” at all. As I just explained, they are actually meat from the Boston Butt, which is the top of the pig’s shoulder. Hmmmm, go figure. If you know the reason behind this unusual moniker (or why it’s called “Boston Butt”), please share in the comments.

➡︎ Use code SWEETSALT for 15% off my favorite meat rub ever right here.

Other Ways to Cook Country Style Pork Ribs

This cut of meat is super versatile. As with many pastured pork cuts, there is wonderful amounts of fat and marbling, which keeps the meat nice and moist.

Use this cut of meat for stews, pork kebabs, or stir-fry.

They cook well at low, slow temperatures, like this recipe I’m sharing today, but they can also be cooked quickly, at high temperatures, meaning they make a great grilled meal too.

Oven-Baked Country Style Pork Ribs

Generously season both sides with your favorite meat rub, or just salt and pepper. This is my favorite rub to use.**
Lay your cuts out in a roasting pan or on a cast iron griddle. Place the pan lid on or cover the ribs with aluminum foil.
Bake the ribs at 275 for 3 hours, or until they are fall-apart tender.
Cover the baked ribs with barbecue sauce, then turn the oven up to broil the ribs for a few minutes. The sauce will caramelize and be extra delicious.
Serve with a side of potatoes or rice and a vegetable or salad. Tonight I made air-fried fresh potato fries and a tossed salad.

** Use code SWEETSALT for 15% off my favorite meat rub right here.

Talk to me!

If you have more tips for preparing country style pork ribs, leave a comment below. And please tag me on ig to show me your delicious meal @souly.rested.