Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes — use a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend.

Do these freeze well?

Yes — freeze after cooling and thaw in the refrigerator.

You can reduce the brown sugar by ¼ cup without affecting texture.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes — thighs stay juicier and add richer flavor.

Can I grill the chicken?

Absolutely. Grilling adds smoky Mediterranean flavor.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes — skip feta and tzatziki or use dairy-free versions.

Can I substitute the rice?

Yes — quinoa, orzo, couscous, or mixed greens all work well.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes — store ingredients separately and assemble when serving.

Is blackened tuna spicy?

It has a mild-to-moderate heat. Reduce the cayenne pepper or jalapeño for a milder version.

Can I grill the tuna instead?

Yes. Grill over high heat for the same amount of time, making sure the grates are well-oiled.

What type of tuna should I use?

Ahi (yellowfin) or sushi-grade tuna works best for searing.

Can I make the mango salsa ahead of time?

Yes. The mango salsa can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Dirty rice has a mild-to-moderate heat. You can easily adjust the spice level by reducing the Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper.

Can I make Cajun dirty rice ahead of time?

Yes. Store dirty rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can I freeze Cajun dirty rice?

Yes. Cajun dirty rice freezes well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

What meat can I substitute for beef?

Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used as a lighter alternative to ground beef.

Is Cajun cornbread spicy?

Cajun cornbread has a mild-to-moderate heat. You can adjust the spice level by reducing the jalapeño or cayenne pepper.

Can I make Cajun cornbread ahead of time?

Yes. Cajun cornbread can be baked up to one day ahead and reheated gently before serving.

Can I freeze Cajun cornbread?

Yes. Wrap the cornbread tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Can I make Cajun cornbread without cheese?

Yes. You can omit the cheese for a dairy-light version without affecting the texture.

Gumbo is mildly spicy. You can adjust the heat by increasing or reducing the cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning.

Can I make chicken and sausage gumbo ahead of time?

Yes. Gumbo tastes even better the next day and keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can I freeze chicken and sausage gumbo?

Yes. Gumbo freezes well for up to three months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.

Do I have to use okra in gumbo?

No. Okra helps thicken gumbo, but you can omit it or use filé powder if preferred.

Are Cajun roasted potatoes spicy?

They have a mild-to-moderate heat. You can adjust the spice level by using more or less Cajun seasoning.

Can I make Cajun roasted potatoes ahead of time?

They are best served fresh, but leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer.

Can I use red or russet potatoes?

Yes. Just cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces to ensure even roasting.

Are Cajun roasted potatoes vegan?

Yes. This recipe is naturally dairy-free and vegan as written.

Is Cajun shrimp & grits spicy?

Cajun shrimp and grits has a mild-to-moderate heat. You can reduce the Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper to make it milder.

Can I make Cajun shrimp and grits ahead of time?

The shrimp are best cooked fresh, but the grits can be made ahead and reheated gently with a splash of broth or milk.

Can I use instant grits?

Yes, but stone-ground grits provide the best flavor and creamiest texture.

Can I substitute milk for cream?

Yes, whole milk can be used, though the grits will be slightly less rich.

Baked Country-Style Pork Ribs (Tender, Saucy & Fall-Apart Delicious!)

Sarah Smith
Dec 1, 2025
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Close-up of glazed, roasted ribs in a pan, showcasing a rich, shiny red-brown color. The setting is a kitchen or dining space.

This Baked Country-Style Pork Ribs recipe delivers everything you want from slow-roasted comfort food — melt-in-your-mouth tender ribs, a rich smoky rub, and a sticky, caramelized BBQ glaze. They bake low and slow in the oven until unbelievably juicy, making them the perfect easy dinner for weekends, potlucks, and cozy family meals.

Serve with Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Honey-Glazed Carrots, Broccoli Bacon Salad, or Green Bean Almondine for a full comfort-food feast.

Why You’ll Love This

Tender, oven-baked pork ribs with rich, savory flavor
Easy hands-off cooking that delivers fall-apart results
Hearty, satisfying meal made with simple ingredients
Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy weekends

Recipe Card

Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 2 hours 15 minutes Total: About 2½ hours Servings: 4–6

Ingredients

For the Ribs

3–4 lbs country-style pork ribs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp mustard powder
½ tsp chili powder (optional for heat)

For the BBQ Glaze

1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite)
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Prep the Ribs

Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat the ribs dry and rub with olive oil. Mix all seasonings and rub generously over all sides of the ribs.

2. Bake Low & Slow

Place ribs in a baking dish or sheet pan. Cover tightly with foil. Bake 2 hours, or until fork-tender.

3. Make the BBQ Glaze

While ribs bake, combine BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire, vinegar, and garlic powder. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Glaze & Finish

Remove foil, brush ribs generously with BBQ glaze, and increase oven heat to 400°F. Bake uncovered 15–20 minutes, until caramelized and sticky.

5. Serve

Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes, cornbread, or roasted vegetables.

Ways to Serve

Over mashed potatoes with extra gravy-like BBQ sauce
With Southern sides like cornbread, roasted sweet potatoes, or baked beans
Sliced and added to sandwiches
Served with a bright salad like Classic Caesar Salad

Storage

Refrigerate: 3–4 days
Freeze: Up to 2 months
Reheat: 300°F oven for 15 minutes or air fryer 375°F for 5 minutes

FAQ

Can I use boneless or bone-in country-style ribs?

Yes! Both work great. Bone-in ribs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful, while boneless ribs cook slightly faster but are just as tender.

Why are my ribs tough?

Country-style ribs need low and slow cooking. If they’re tough, they simply need more time in the oven. Keep them covered until they become fork-tender.

Can I make these ribs ahead of time?

Absolutely. Bake fully covered, refrigerate, then glaze and finish in the oven before serving. They reheat beautifully and stay tender.

Can I swap the BBQ glaze for something else?

Yes — honey garlic sauce, teriyaki, mustard BBQ, or even a simple spice rub without sauce works great. The base cooking method stays the same.

What temperature should ribs reach when fully cooked?

Country-style pork ribs should reach 190–200°F for fall-apart tenderness (higher than typical pork chops because of connective tissue).

Can I cook these ribs in a slow cooker?

Yes! Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, then transfer to a baking sheet, glaze, and broil 3–5 minutes to caramelize.

Do I need to remove the membrane like regular ribs?

No, country-style ribs do not have the membrane that baby back or spare ribs do. They’re ready to season and cook.

Can I use store-bought BBQ sauce?

Definitely. Use any BBQ sauce you love. Add honey or brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter glaze.

How do I keep the ribs from drying out?

Keep them tightly covered during the first bake. This traps steam and guarantees juicy, tender meat.

What should I serve with these ribs?

Great sides include:

Conclusion

These Baked Country-Style Pork Ribs are tender, saucy, and deeply satisfying — the kind of cozy comfort food your whole family will request again and again. The slow baking ensures a juicy, fall-apart texture, while the quick broil at the end gives that perfect sticky, caramelized BBQ finish. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and easy prep make this a go-to dinner for any night you crave something hearty and delicious.