Country Style Beef Ribs

Country style beef ribs are a rich, meaty cut perfect for slow cooking, grilling, or braising. Unlike traditional ribs, these come from the chuck or shoulder area, making them thicker, boneless (or partially boneless), and packed with deep beefy flavor. They’re ideal for low and slow cooking methods that break down the connective tissue, resulting in tender, fall-apart meat.

This recipe covers multiple cooking techniques—oven, slow cooker, and grill—so you can choose the best method for your needs. Whether you prefer smoky BBQ flavors or a savory braised dish with gravy, these ribs deliver a satisfying meal every time.

Why You’ll Love Cooking Country Style Beef Ribs

• Versatile: Works with oven roasting, slow cooking, grilling, or smoking.
• Budget-Friendly: More affordable than short ribs or prime cuts.
• Rich Flavor: Marbled fat and connective tissue create a juicy, beefy taste.
• Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleasing dish that pairs well with sides like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Stores and reheats well for leftovers.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Country Style Beef Ribs

(Serves 4-6)

For the Ribs

• 3 lbs (1.4 kg) country-style beef ribs (boneless or bone-in)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

For Braising (Optional)

• 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste

For BBQ Glaze (Optional)

• ½ cup BBQ sauce (ensure no alcohol)
• 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar

Step-by-Step: How to Cook country style beef ribs recipe

Oven-Baked Method

1. Prep the Ribs: Pat ribs dry, then rub with oil and seasonings.
2. Sear (Optional): Heat oil in a Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat. Sear ribs for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
3. Braise: Add onions, garlic, broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2.5–3 hours until fork-tender.
4. Glaze (Optional): Brush with BBQ sauce and broil for 3-5 minutes until caramelized.

Slow Cooker Method

1. Sear Ribs: Follow step 2 above.
2. Slow Cook: Transfer ribs to a slow cooker with broth and aromatics. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
3. Finish: Remove ribs, reduce juices into gravy, or glaze with BBQ sauce.

Grill/Smoker Method

1. Season Ribs: Coat with dry rub.
2. Smoke/Cook: Grill over indirect heat at 250°F (120°C) for 3-4 hours until tender. Baste with BBQ sauce in the last 30 minutes.

Chef’s Secrets: Pro Tips for the Best Country Style Beef Ribs

Essential Tips for Perfect Ribs Every Time

1. Marinate for Maximum Flavor
   • For deeper seasoning, marinate ribs overnight in a mix of:
     • 1 cup beef broth
     • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
     • 1 tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
     • 1 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika
2. Braising Liquid = Free Gravy
   • After cooking, strain the braising juices into a saucepan.
   • Simmer and thicken with:
     • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry) for a glossy gravy
     • OR 2 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp flour (roux) for richer texture
3. No Dutch Oven? No Problem
   • Use a heavy roasting pan covered tightly with foil instead.
   • Add ½ cup extra broth to prevent drying.
4. Faster Tenderizing
   • Cut ribs into 3-inch chunks before cooking to reduce time by 30-45 minutes.
5. Crispy Finish Trick
   • After braising, pat ribs dry and broil 3 minutes per side for caramelized edges.

Flavor Variations to Try

1. Smoky Chipotle

• Replace paprika with 1 tsp chipotle powder + 1 tbsp adobo sauce
• Add 1 canned chipotle pepper to braising liquid

2. Asian-Inspired

• Swap BBQ sauce for:
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce + 2 tbsp honey + 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions

3. Italian Herb Style

• Season with:
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano + 1 tsp fennel seeds + ½ tsp red pepper flakes

4. Instant Pot Shortcut

• Cook on High Pressure for 35 minutes with 1 cup broth
• Natural release 10 minutes, then broil to finish

5. Keto/Low-Carb Version

• Use sugar-free BBQ sauce or make your own with:
  • ½ cup tomato paste + 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar + 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • Sweeten with 2 tbsp erythritol if desired

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ Overcrowding the Pan

• Sear ribs in batches to prevent steaming instead of browning

✗ Boiling the Braising Liquid

• Keep oven temp at 300°F max to avoid tough meat

✗ Skipping the Rest Time

• Let ribs rest 10 minutes before serving for juicier results

✗ Using Lean Cuts

• Country-style ribs need marbling – avoid “extra lean” labels

15 Delicious Side Dishes for Your Beef Rib Dinner

Country-style beef ribs are a hearty, satisfying dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Whether you’re serving them as a casual family meal or for a special gathering, these pairings will elevate your rib dinner to the next level.

Classic Comfort Pairings

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes – The ultimate rib companion, perfect for soaking up rich gravy
• Buttered Corn on the Cob – Adds sweetness to balance the savory meat
• Southern-Style Green Beans – Slow-cooked with bacon (or turkey bacon for pork-free version)
• Fresh Dinner Rolls – Ideal for making mini rib sandwiches

BBQ Feast Favorites

• Classic Coleslaw – The crunch and tang cut through the richness
• Baked Beans – Use a pork-free recipe with molasses and mustard
• Grilled Cornbread – Slightly charred edges complement smoky ribs
• Pickled Vegetables – Quick-pickled onions or jalapeños add brightness

Lighter, Modern Options

• Roasted Sweet Potatoes – Tossed with olive oil and rosemary
• Grilled Zucchini – Lightly seasoned with garlic and lemon
• Quinoa Salad – With cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and lemon vinaigrette
• Steamed Broccoli – Simply dressed with olive oil and sea salt

Special Occasion Presentations

• Platter Style – Arrange ribs over a bed of garlic sautéed kale with roasted baby potatoes
• Stacked Dinner – Layer shredded ribs over polenta with mushroom ragout
• Taco Bar – Serve shredded rib meat with warm tortillas and all the fixings
• Poutine Twist – Top fries with rib meat, cheese curds, and beef gravy

Sauce Pairing Guide

• Traditional – Rich beef gravy (from braising juices)
• Smoky – Bourbon-free BBQ sauce with hickory flavor
• Spicy – Chipotle mayo or sriracha-honey glaze
• Herbaceous – Chimichurri made with parsley and oregano

Pro Tip: For easy entertaining, set up a “rib bar” with 2-3 sauce options and let guests customize their plates. Include small bowls of toppings like:

• Crispy fried onions
• Shredded cheese
• Fresh herb garnishes
• Toasted nuts for crunch

Keep It Fresh: Storing and Reheating Your Beef Ribs

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat:
  • Oven: 300°F (150°C) with broth to prevent drying (20-30 mins).
  • Microwave: Cover and heat in 1-minute intervals.

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Country Style Beef Ribs

Jessica

Discover the joy of country style beef ribs! These boneless, slow-cooked delights are tender, flavorful, and perfect for your next BBQ feast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Ribs

• 3 lbs 1.4 kg country-style beef ribs (boneless or bone-in)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

For Braising (Optional)

• 1 cup beef broth low-sodium
• 1 onion sliced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• For BBQ Glaze Optional
• ½ cup BBQ sauce ensure no alcohol
• 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar

Instructions

 

Oven-Baked Method

• Prep the Ribs: Pat ribs dry, then rub with oil and seasonings.
• Sear (Optional): Heat oil in a Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat. Sear ribs for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
• Braise: Add onions, garlic, broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2.5–3 hours until fork-tender.
• Glaze (Optional): Brush with BBQ sauce and broil for 3-5 minutes until caramelized.

Slow Cooker Method

• Sear Ribs: Follow step 2 above.
• Slow Cook: Transfer ribs to a slow cooker with broth and aromatics. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
• Finish: Remove ribs, reduce juices into gravy, or glaze with BBQ sauce.

Grill/Smoker Method

• Season Ribs: Coat with dry rub.
• Smoke/Cook: Grill over indirect heat at 250°F (120°C) for 3-4 hours until tender. Baste with BBQ sauce in the last 30 minutes.

Notes

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	450 kcal
Total Fat	28g
Saturated Fat	10g
Protein	42g
Carbohydrates	8g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	5g
Sodium	900mg

Conclusion

Country-style beef ribs are a flavorful, forgiving cut that adapts to any cooking style. Whether you braise, slow cook, or grill them, they deliver hearty, satisfying results. This recipe ensures tender, juicy ribs every time—perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.

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