The Kitchn: These barbecued ‘ribs’ are budget-friendly, extra meaty and delightfully hands-off
As a Texas girl, I’ve got a special affinity for ribs — but they can be so pricey! My recipe for country-style ribs makes cooking ribs at home easier and cheaper than ever. Besides calling for a cost-effective cut of meat, the best part about this recipe is how hands-off it is. You season your ribs, throw them in the oven, rub them with barbecue sauce, and finish them in the oven. That’s it! You can get some work done, watch TV, or tidy up around the house while dinner basically takes care of itself.
What are country-style ribs?
Country-style ribs, which are a bit of a misnomer, are not made from rib meat. They’re typically made from two cuts of pork: the blade end near the shoulder and the actual shoulder itself. The shoulder is sliced into meaty strips, which end up resembling ribs quite a bit. Once cooked, both cuts have a texture and taste very similar to that of ribs.
What’s the difference between ribs and country ribs?
The difference between ribs and country-style ribs is simply the cut of meat. Ribs come from pork ribs. Country-style ribs, on the other hand, come from either the end blade near the shoulder or the shoulder itself.
How long does it take to oven-roast country ribs?
Country ribs take anywhere between 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 30 minutes to cook. This is because pork shoulder — just like pork ribs — has a lot of fat and connective tissue that takes time to break down. Cooking them low and slow yields the most tender ribs possible — otherwise you’d end up with tough, rubbery meat, and nobody wants that.
Country Ribs
Serves 4
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
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