Ultimate Country Ribs Smoked to Perfection Recipe

Making country ribs starts by trimming the rib rack and removing the membrane before seasoning the meat liberally with your favorite dry spices. The ribs are then placed in a smoker set to 225°F and slow smoked for 4 to 6 hours to achieve a perfect, fall-off-the-bone rack of ribs that is juicy, tender, and has a perfect crust.

Country-style ribs are a cut of meat that you can find near the pork butt, shoulder, and pork loin. You can find them at a butcher shop in a bone-in or boneless variety. Country-style ribs are meatier than a St. Louis cut but have more fat than short ribs.

Soul food lovers adore country-style ribs. While they have an exquisite taste, they’re also relatively easy to make – and this country ribs smoked recipe will prove this. All you have to do is be patient and ensure you have a tasty bbq rub to help bring out the natural flavor of the meat!

Step-By-Step Guide to Smoking Country Ribs

Trim your Rib Rack

The first step is to remove the membrane from the back side of each rack of ribs. You can do this using a sharp knife.

Rinse and Pat Dry

Rinse off your trimmed ribs with cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels.

Preheat the Smoker

The ideal temperature for smoking country-style ribs is 225-250°F, but it can vary depending on what kind of smoker you use.

Season the Ribs

Drizzle with oil and then season both sides of your ribs liberally with salt and pepper. You can also opt for a bbq rub like this Kansas City Rib Rub. You can season the ribs right before cooking or do this step ahead of time and keep them in the fridge overnight to soak in all that flavor.

Smoke the Ribs

Smoke the ribs until they reach an internal temperature between 190°F -196°F. Verify the internal temp with a meat thermometer.

Allow the Ribs to Rest

During this time, your ribs will cook more, and the internal temperature will rise about 5°F.

Country-style ribs are just like country music: they’re sweet, but they’ve got a bit of a bite. That bite comes from their smoky flavor. Now that we’ve summarized all the steps, it’s time to show you how to make this delicious pork ribs recipe on a pellet smoker!

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How Long Does it Take to Smoke Country-Style Ribs?

It depends on what temperature you’re smoking them at. If you set your smoker to 250°F, it will take approximately 4 hours to smoke Country-style ribs. Of course, time can vary according to the size of your ribs. The essential factor to consider is the internal temperature of the ribs. If you check regularly and ensure they reach 195°F, you can rest assured that your ribs are safe to eat.

What is the Best Temperature to Smoke Country-Style Ribs on a Pellet Smoker?

Low and slow cooking is the key to getting that tender, fall-off-the-bone texture. BBQ ribs are typically smoked for at least 4 hours at a temperature between 225°F and 250°F. When cooking country-style ribs, you want to ensure they have enough time to absorb all that delicious flavor without burning them or drying them out.

What Should the Internal Temperature of Country Ribs Be?

The USDA recommends an internal temperature of a minimum of 145°F (it used to be 160°F) for pork meat. So to consume it safely, you must let the ribs reach this temperature by checking with a meat thermometer. But cooking ribs should go above the minimum requirement. For perfect texture and taste, it’s ideal to smoke country-style ribs until they reach an internal temperature between 190° and 200°F.

How Long Does it Take to Smoke Country Ribs at 225?

At 225°F, it will take 4 hours to smoke country ribs.

How Long Does it Take to Smoke Country Ribs at 275?

Generally, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to smoke country-style ribs at 275°F.

What are the Best Wood Chips for Country Style Ribs?

As you might expect, it depends on what kind of flavor profile you’re going for! Some people like a sweet, mild taste, while others prefer a more robust, bold flavor. The best wood chips for country-style ribs are the best wood chips for pork meat! So anything that works with pork works with these ribs.

Here are some options:

Hickory

This is one of the most popular woods for smoking because it imparts a strong flavor that works well with pork.

Mesquite

Mesquite has a much stronger flavor than hickory, so use this one sparingly! It’s best used as an accent smoke. You can mix mesquite with milder woods to achieve the perfect amount of smoke.

Oak

Oak is a more delicate-flavored wood that pairs well with pork because of its subtlety that doesn’t overwhelm the meat.

Apple

Apple will add a mild sweetness to your meat. So if you want to add some fruity notes to your ribs, they’re the perfect wood to choose.

Cherry

Cherry wood chips are also sweet and fruity, like apple wood, and they make a great pair with pork ribs.

What You Should Serve with Smoked Country-Style Ribs

Here are a few fantastic sides you can serve alongside your perfectly smoked country-style ribs!

Kale Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

This dish is an excellent option if you want something fresh and light to accompany your dish. The dressing is tart and sweet, and the kale nicely balances the sweetness. 

Mexican Street Corn

This Mexican street food classic is perfect for serving alongside smoked meat like ribs because it’s full of bold flavors that complement each other well. 

Rainbow Slaw

This slaw is full of bright colors and fresh flavors that will make anyone come back for more! Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s also crunchy and refreshing.

Instant Pot Baked Beans

This dish is a classic for a reason—it’s rich, creamy, and has just the right amount of spice. This hearty side dish pairs perfectly with smoked country-style ribs.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Who doesn’t love mashed potatoes? We all do! These are extra special because they’re made with sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are full of fiber and have a sweeter taste that works well with ribs!