What cut is country style pork ribs?

These pork ribs come from the shoulder area of the pig. They are not actually ribs, but rather a cut that is taken from the blade end of the pork loin close to the shoulder. This cut includes parts of the pork shoulder blade bone and is characterized by a good amount of marbling, which makes it tender and flavorful when cooked.

Do country style pork ribs have bones?

Sometimes yes. Cuts may include pieces of the pork shoulder blade bone, but there are no rib bones running in the middle.

Are country style pork ribs lean?

No, they are similar to pork shoulder and will have a healthy amount of fat. They are less fatty than spare ribs, but more so than pork loin or tenderloin.

How to Smoke Country Style Ribs

Ingredients

Scale

4 pounds of country style ribs, boneless or bone-in
1/2 cup Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub, more as needed
1 cup Smoky Sweet Heat Sauce, more as needed
Apple cider vinegar for spritzing

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Instructions

Prepare the country style ribs. Trim any excess fat that’s hanging off, and season the meat generously on all sides. Allow the pork to rest at least 30 minutes, or while the smoker is warming up to temp. You can prepare the pour hours beforehand if they rest in the fridge.
Smoke the pork at 275°F for about 3 hours. Once the smoker is warmed up place the pork on the grates, giving them some space between each piece.
Spritz every 45 minutes. Using apple cider vinegar (or your preferred liquid) make sure to spritz the edges of the pork every 45 minutes, which helps to keep the moist.
Flip the pork after the first 90 minutes. This allows both sides to fully benefit from spritzing and will crisp up the bottom evenly.
Once the pork reaches about 170-175°F and the bark is nice and crispy, you can glaze with the bbq sauce. Allow the pork to cook for 20-30 more minutes until desired doneness, and the sauce will be nice and tacky.
If you choose to not use sauce, remove the pork when it reaches about 180-185°F and allow them to rest before serving.

Notes

The country style ribs may cook with a different amount of time depending on the thickness, and how many you’re cooking. You need to use your intuition and check the temperature. They will be done at any point after 165°F, but are more crispy around 180-185°F.
Make sure you flip and spritz, which helps to prevent the bottom from over-crisping.

Author: Brad Prose
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: About 3-4 hours
Category: Pork
Method: Smoking
Cuisine: BBQ

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 400
Sugar: 13.9 g
Sodium: 428.5 mg
Fat: 13.3 g
Carbohydrates: 19.5 g
Protein: 47.8 g
Cholesterol: 167.7 mg