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These Dutch oven country-style ribs will certainly become a favorite easy dinner recipe! They are made with just 5 ingredients and come together in less than 15 minutes of hands-on time. Get ready for tender, juicy country ribs slow-cooked in your favorite BBQ sauce.
I make country-style ribs quite a bit, actually, probably more than most! And I make them in one of two ways. Well, actually, I make them one way, and my husband makes them his way, on the grill. Which, let’s be honest, if he’s willing to cook, I don’t even care how he makes them, but they are pretty darn tasty!
However, there are plenty of times I end up making them, and over the years, I’ve found these are pretty much to die for when you make them in the Dutch oven.
Believe it or not, it’s a pretty hands-off recipe. And let’s be honest, you get about double the meat compared to my dutch oven spare ribs, which are delicious, just not nearly as meaty!
Oh, and interesting fact: did you know country-style ribs aren’t actually ribs at all? Yep! But we’re not going to worry about that right now. All I care about is getting them in my belly, so let’s get going!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is so simple to make! You just need a few pantry staples, country-style ribs, and your favorite BBQ sauce to make the most flavorful, tender country ribs.
- Country-style ribs are a really affordable cut of meat, perfect for feeding a crowd!
- They also take very little time to prepare. In less than 15 minutes, you can have these ribs in the oven, cooking to perfection.
- A great thing about ribs is that you can switch up the flavors easily by trying different BBQ sauces. Once you dive into the world of sauce, you’re going to love experimenting!
What are Country-Style Ribs?
Country-style ribs aren’t actually ribs at all! They are meat from the pork shoulder that is cut to resemble ribs. While you may sometimes find bone-in country ribs, they are typically sold boneless.
Country ribs are a more affordable and easier-to-make alternative to traditional ribs, and honestly, they might be even better. These “ribs” are well-marbled, beautifully tender, and simply mouthwatering. They also have more meat on them than traditional ribs, so this meal will stretch a lot farther!
In order to have fall-apart tender country-style ribs, they need to be cooked low and slow. So be sure to plan ahead, and you can enjoy dinner being ready in the oven this evening!
What You’ll Need
- Country-style ribs: These can be boneless or bone-in.
- Salt and pepper: Always a must for meat recipes!
- Oil: You don’t need much, just enough to sear the ribs. You can use tallow, avocado oil, or your favorite cooking oil.
- BBQ sauce: Grab a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce (or make your own if that’s your thing!). If it’s on the thicker side, you may need to water it down.
How to Make Dutch Oven Country-Style Ribs
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F.
Step 2: If your ribs arrive in one slab, spread them out on a cutting board. Cut in half, then slice between the bone lines to break them into individual pieces.
Step 3: Season the ribs evenly with the salt and pepper.
Step 4: Heat the Dutch oven over medium‑high heat and add the cooking oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pot, sear the ribs on each side until a golden crust forms—about 1 minute per side.
Step 5: Drizzle the BBQ sauce over the seared ribs, cover, and place in the oven. Bake for 1½ hours.
Step 6: Carefully remove the lid (use oven mitts!), then bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to let the sauce glaze and thicken.
Step 7: Take the pot out of the oven, let it rest briefly, and serve when it’s cooled slightly.
Expert Tips
- Watch my video in the recipe card to see exactly how I cut these ribs up before cooking.
- If your BBQ sauce is thick (like Sweet Baby Ray’s), thin it with a bit of water so it coats and penetrates the ribs better.
- This recipe works perfectly in a 5‑quart Dutch oven.
- Country‑style ribs are meant for this kind of slow cooking. The low heat and long bake time break down the fat and connective tissue into tender, juicy meat. Don’t try to expedite the process!
Best Sides for Country-Style Ribs
Country-style ribs are such a delicious and hearty main dish, and every great entrée needs some tasty sides to go with it!
I usually like to stick to classic side dishes that pair nicely with BBQ, such as homemade mashed potatoes, Dutch oven baked beans, or vinegar coleslaw. These dishes are easy to make and have flavors that complement the ribs perfectly.
It’s also fun to mix it up a little and serve these ribs with a unique and exciting side dish. Cheesy bacon butternut squash or garlic parmesan brussel sprouts add a bit of elegance and a different flavor profile to your plate.
When in doubt, always serve your meat with a side of bread! For country-style ribs, I like to make a batch of cast iron cornbread or whole grain dinner rolls. They will stretch your meat farther and round out the meal.
Recipe FAQs
Yep! Because country-style ribs come from the pork shoulder, they contain a lot of connective tissue and fat. These break down in the oven, and cooking the country ribs low and slow gives you the most tender meat. Be careful not to overcook them, though — doing so will leave you with dry ribs.
Any classic BBQ sauce that you love is great for your country-style ribs. If you’re new to BBQ and need a good starting point, a sweet and smoky sauce like Sweet Baby Ray’s or Stubb’s Original is a safe place to start.
You can make this recipe with either, but if you can find bone-in country style ribs, grab them. They have a little more flavor, and the bones help keep the meat extra tender while it cooks.
Not at all, but if you want them to crisp up a bit more, you can dust the ribs lightly with flour before searing. It adds a little texture and helps the sauce cling to the meat.
You can’t go wrong with classic sides like mashed potatoes or roasted veggies. Green beans, Brussels sprouts, or a crisp salad are great too. And of course, some warm dinner rolls to soak up that sauce never hurt either.
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If you tried these Dutch Oven Country-Style Ribs or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Dutch Oven Country-Style Ribs
Equipment
- 5-quart Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds pork country‑style ribs
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 cup BBQ sauce see notes below
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- If your ribs arrive in one slab, spread them out on a cutting board. Cut in half, than then slice between the bone lines to break them into individual pieces.
- Season the ribs evenly with the salt and pepper.
- Heat the Dutch oven over medium‑high and add the cooking oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pot, sear the ribs on each side until a golden crust forms—about 1 minute per side.
- Drizzle the BBQ sauce over the seared ribs, cover, and place in the oven. Bake for 1½ hours.
- Carefully remove the lid (use oven mitts!), then bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to let the sauce glaze and thicken.
- Take the pot out of the oven, let it rest briefly, and serve when it’s cooled slightly.
Video
Notes
- Watch my video in the recipe card to see exactly how I cut these ribs up before cooking.
- If your BBQ sauce is thick (like Sweet Baby Ray’s), thin it with a bit of water so it coats and penetrates the ribs better.
- This recipe works perfectly in a 5‑quart Dutch oven.
- Country‑style ribs are meant for this kind of slow cooking. The low heat and long bake time break down the fat and connective tissue into tender, juicy meat. Don’t try to expedite the process!
I remember my mom making making these when I was younger. This brings back so many memories I can’t wait to try it!
I am so happy to hear! Let me know what you think when you try them!