Oven Baked Country Style Pork Ribs

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Country-style pork ribs have become one of my go-to cuts when I want something hearty without spending all day in the kitchen. Despite the name, these aren’t traditional ribs—they’re cut from the shoulder, which means they’re meatier, more affordable, and incredibly forgiving.

The low oven temperature transforms this budget-friendly cut into something that falls apart with just a fork. With a simple spice rub and sticky brown sugar glaze, these deliver all the comfort of barbecue without firing up a grill. They’re perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or any time you want something that tastes impressive but comes together easily.

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Easy Country Style Pork Ribs

I’ll be honest—I used to overlook country-style ribs at the grocery store. But once I learned how tender they become with the right approach, they earned a permanent spot in my meal rotation. What makes this recipe work is the balance between the savory spice rub and the sweet, tangy glaze that caramelizes in the oven.

You get fork-tender meat on the inside with a sticky, flavorful coating on the outside. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients needed—just your oven, some pantry staples, and a couple of hours.

What You’ll Need to Cook

• Country-style pork ribs – Country-style pork ribs are cut from the pork shoulder, making them meatier and more affordable than traditional rib cuts.
• Olive oil – Acts as a binder to help the rub adhere to the meat and promotes browning during baking.
• Brown sugar
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Dried thyme
• Apple cider vinegar – The acidity cuts through the richness of the pork and balances the sweetness of the brown sugar.
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Ingredient Substitutes

Apple Cider Vinegar → White Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar provides a similar acidity level for the glaze, though it has a slightly more delicate flavor. You might want to add a pinch of sugar to compensate for the missing apple notes.

Brown Sugar → Honey: Honey creates an equally sticky glaze with a more floral sweetness. Use about ¾ cup honey to replace 1 cup brown sugar, and reduce the vinegar slightly as honey is more liquid.

Olive Oil → Yellow Mustard: Yellow mustard works exceptionally well as a binder for the rub and adds a subtle tangy flavor that complements pork. It won’t alter the taste significantly once baked, and it helps create an excellent crust.

How to Make Oven Baked Country Style Pork Ribs

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Ribs

Preheat your oven to 300°F and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the foil-lined sheet—this elevates the ribs so heat circulates evenly and prevents them from sitting in their own juices.

Remove your country-style pork ribs from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Pat them completely dry with paper towels, then brush all sides with olive oil. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme. Apply the rub generously to all sides of the ribs, pressing it into the meat with your hands to ensure it adheres well.

Step 2: Bake the Ribs Covered

Arrange the seasoned ribs on the wire rack in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap. This arrangement allows heat to reach all surfaces evenly. Cover the entire baking sheet tightly with aluminum foil—this creates a gentle, moist cooking environment that keeps the ribs tender.

Place the covered ribs in the preheated oven and bake for 2 hours. During this time, the low temperature will slowly break down the connective tissue and render the fat, resulting in incredibly tender meat. Resist the urge to check on them frequently, as opening the oven releases heat and extends cooking time.

Step 3: Prepare the Brown Sugar Glaze

While your ribs are baking, combine brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent the sugar from scorching on the bottom.

Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens to a consistency similar to barbecue sauce. It should coat the back of a spoon but remain pourable. Remove from heat and set aside—it will thicken slightly more as it cools. You’ll have plenty of glaze for both coating the ribs and serving extra on the side.

Step 4: Glaze and Finish Baking

After 2 hours, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and remove the foil covering. The ribs should be tender and have released some of their juices. Using a silicone brush, generously coat all sides of the ribs with the brown sugar glaze, making sure every surface is covered.

Return the uncovered ribs to the oven and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes. During this final stage, the glaze will caramelize and develop a beautiful sticky coating. The exposed surface will also develop some slight browning. If you want an even deeper glaze, brush on a second coat halfway through this final baking period.

Step 5: Check Temperature and Rest

Check that the internal temperature has reached 195-203°F using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding any bones. .

Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest on the rack for 10 minutes. Brush on one more light coat of glaze for a fresh, glossy appearance, then transfer to a serving platter.

How To Store Leftovers and Reheat

Allow the baked country-style ribs to cool to room temperature, but don’t leave them out for more than two hours. Transfer the ribs to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil, keeping any remaining glaze separate in a sealed container. They’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, preheat your oven to 300°F and place the ribs in a baking dish with a splash of apple juice or water to prevent drying. Cover tightly with foil and heat for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. For frozen ribs, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. You can also reheat them in the microwave on 50% power in 1-minute intervals, though the oven method better preserves the texture. Brush with fresh glaze during the last few minutes of reheating for renewed flavor and shine.

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Sides to Serve With Pork Ribs

🌽 Grilled Cornbread
🥔 Baked Sweet Potato
🥦 Grilled Broccoli
🥕 Grilled Carrots with Brown Butter
More Sides to Serve with Ribs Here

Smoke On!

Charlie

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