Country-Style Pork Ribs in the Oven

Tender country-style pork ribs in the oven – a super easy and delicious rib recipe using just a few simple ingredients.

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close up of one large pork rib broiled until brown.

Baking country-style ribs in the oven is an easy, relaxing affair. Five minutes to start the pork rib recipe and another five to finish it; the oven takes care of the rest. And the result? Fall-of-the-bone, flavorful, and moreish country-style pork ribs that your whole family will love.

And if you like ribs, check out the Air Fryer Ribs, Ribs and Cabbage, or learn How to Cook Beef Ribs in the Oven.

Table of Contents

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Recipe ingredients

collage of two pictures of raw country-style ribs and a bowl of dry rub.

Bone-in or boneless country-style pork ribs, about 3 lbs/1.3 kg. You can use more if your ribs still have the bone in. But make sure that they fit in the baking dish in a single layer.
Spicy rub: Brown sugar, sweet paprika, smoked sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, fine sea salt or Kosher salt, and ground black pepper. If using hot smoked paprika, leave out the cayenne pepper.
- Alternatively, season the pork ribs with only salt and pepper or your favorite spice mixture.
BBQ sauce is optional. You can brush the cooked meat with it, or you can brush it with the pan juices.

How to cook country-style ribs in the oven?

This is a simple three-step oven-baked country-style ribs recipe: season, bake, and broil.

Season: Mix the spices in a small bowl and rub the meat with the dry rub.
Bake them in a shallow baking pan in the preheated oven, covered with aluminum foil, for about 2 hours or until fork tender. The cooking time depends a bit on the thickness of the ribs and the oven temperature; some get hotter than others.
Brush them with sauce and broil them on a foil-lined baking sheet for 3-4 minutes.

close up of pork ribs in orange-colored pan juices.

Expert Tips

The secret for cooking incredibly tender ribs is to cook them slowly and long at a low temperature. Two hours at 300°F/ 160°C should do it, but check the meat; if it’s not perfectly soft and tender yet, allow it more time in the oven.

BBQ sauce or pan juices? If you are wondering which version is best, I cannot decide; I love both. Country-style ribs brushed with BBQ are sweeter and spicier, while the other version is a bit more savory and saltier.
- You can use your favorite barbecue sauce or homemade sauce. The homemade sauce I used for making Slow Cooker Country-Style Ribs is delicious and only takes a few minutes to make.

You can make a double or triple match; ensure that the baking dish is large enough and the ribs fit in a single layer. Or use two baking dishes.

Slotted spoon: I recommend using one for transferring the pork pieces to the baking sheet instead of tongs. The super tender meat might fall apart if you try to move it using tongs.

shredded fall off the bone country style pork ribs close up.

Recipe FAQ

What are country-style pork ribs?

They are cut of meat from the pork shoulder, and, despite the name, they are not precisely ribs. However, once cooked, their taste and texture are similar to ribs, hence the name.
There are two different cuts: some pieces are cut from the blade end near the shoulder (they often have the bone in), and some are cut from the shoulder area of the pig (they are mostly boneless). You can use any of these cuts for the recipe.

Can you overcook slow cooker ribs?

It’s very unlikely; slow cooking usually ensures you cannot overcook the meat.

How to store?

Refrigerate leftover baked pork ribs in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for about 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat before serving.
Reheat country-style ribs in the preheated oven at 300°F/150°C. Place them in a roasting dish and add a few tablespoons of broth. Cover with foil and reheat for about 20 minutes or until heated through; the meat should reach an internal temperature of about 140°F/60°C.

shredded tender ribs close up showing the strands of meat.

What to serve with pork ribs?

Mashed potatoes are my favorite side dish for pork country-style ribs. Try Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Rich Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Creamy Carrot and Swede Mash, or Creamed Celeriac.

There are also many other excellent options besides mash. How about serving them with Sour Cream Potato Salad with Bacon, German Potato Salad, Crispy Garlic Smashed Potatoes, or Polenta Roast Potatoes?

Try them with Romanian Mac and Cheese or any other mac and cheese you like, Feta Pasta Salad, or a simple green salad with Yogurt Dressing or vinaigrette. German Cabbage Salad or Coleslaw or a Simple White Cabbage Salad are perfect as well.

Or how about roasted Jerusalem artichokes, French-Style Green Beans, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, or Sweetheart Cabbage?

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