Country style ribs are a delicious cut of pork that can be grilled to perfection on a gas grill when cooked at the right temperature. Gas grills provide consistent, controllable heat that allows you to get the tender, juicy results you want. Finding the ideal temperature for country style ribs ensures they get cooked through without drying out.
What Are Country Style Ribs?
Country style ribs come from the upper portion of the pig near the pork loin. They contain a combination of light, lean meat and strips of fat running through them. The fat content helps keep the ribs tender and moist during cooking.
Country style ribs are not exactly ribs. They are cut from the part of the pig’s body where the loin turns into the shoulder. So they contain some loin meat along with higher fat. This makes their texture distinct from spare or baby back ribs.
While they have rib bones, country style ribs do not form a full slab or rack like traditional ribs. They are sold as individual ribs or pieces that may be chopped or formed. Their shape can vary from more elongated cuts to shorter chunky pieces.
Benefits of Cooking Country Style Ribs on a Gas Grill
Cooking country style ribs on a gas grill provides several advantages over other methods:
Consistent heat
Gas grills allow you to dial in a precise temperature and maintain it consistently across the cooking surface. This is harder with charcoal or wood pellet grills, where temperatures fluctuate. The even heat ensures the ribs cook evenly without burning or undercooking parts.
Quick heating
Gas grills heat up rapidly, letting you get started cooking faster. There’s no wait for coals to be ready. This makes it easy to grill ribs when time is limited.
Temperature control
You can adjust the heat in a gas grill by turning knobs. This level of control makes it easy to find the ideal temperature for tender, juicy ribs. You can fine tune the heat level at different stages of cooking.
Moisture retention
Cooking over direct high heat can cause meats to dry out quickly. Gas grills allow cooking at a lower temperature than charcoal while still creating browning. This tenderizes the ribs without excessive moisture loss.
Convenient
Gas fuel is instantly ready and available with the turn of a knob. There’s no charcoal or wood to prep and add. Once cooked ribs are easily removed, the grill cools down fast for safe storage.
Choosing the Right Temperature for Ribs
The temperature you cook country style ribs at determines how quickly they cook and how tender the finished ribs turn out. The meat needs to reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F for food safety. But going above certain temperatures can cause the ribs to toughen and dry out.
Here are some tips for choosing the best temperature:
225-250°F – Low, slow cooking
Cooking the ribs slowly at a lower temperature breaks down connective tissue and fat to make the meat fall-off-the-bone tender. It gives collagen time to melt into gelatin. This imparts juiciness and flavor.
275-300°F – Hotter, faster cooking
Increasing the heat to this range allows ribs to fully cook in less time while still remaining moist. The ribs will be tender but meat may not quite fall off the bone.
325-350°F – Quick grilling
At these high temperatures ribs will cook through in the shortest time. But ribs can toughen and dry out. Keep cooking times brief and baste ribs to prevent drying.
Combination cooking
You can combine methods to get tender, quick cooking. Cook most of the way at a low temperature. Then finish over higher heat to caramelize sauce and crisp the exterior.
How Long to Cook Country Style Ribs
Cooking times for ribs depend on the thickness of the cut and temperature used. Here are approximate guidelines:
| Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 225-250°F | 2-3 hours |
| 275-300°F | 1.5-2 hours |
| 325-350°F | 45 min-1 hour 15 min |
– Check ribs at minimum estimated time and continue cooking if not yet tender
– Cook times are for ribs about 1 inch thick
– Thicker cuts take more time
– Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness
Boning ribs into individual pieces speeds cooking compared to leaving in slabs. Ribs gain more smoke flavor when cooked low and slow for increased time.
Tips for Grilling Juicy, Tender Country Style Ribs
Follow these tips for the most flavorful, mouthwatering country style ribs off your gas grill:
Trim excess fat –
Leave about 1/4 inch of fat to prevent drying. Trim off thick layers that can cause flare ups.
Season well –
Rub ribs all over with a dry spice rub. Let them sit at least 30 minutes for flavor to permeate meat.
Sear at higher heat –
Quickly browning the outside over direct heat seals in juices. Then lower temperature to finish cooking.
Utilize indirect heat –
Place ribs away from direct fire on a rib rack. This gently cooks using radiating heat.
Baste with sauce –
Mop bone side every 30 minutes with basting liquid. Apply sauce only in last 15-30 minutes to avoid charring.
Check for doneness –
Meat should have shrunk back from the ends of bones. Check internal temp with a thermometer.
Let rest before cutting –
Allow ribs to rest 5-10 minutes after cooking for juices to reabsorb. This prevents dryness.
Conclusion
Cooking country style ribs on a gas grill allows you to turn out juicy, tender results with flavorful browning. Use a low or medium low temperature between 225-300°F for the most tender results. Approximate cooking times range from 1.5-3 hours. Employ indirect heat rather than direct heat to prevent drying. Monitor doneness through visual cues and internal temperature. Rest ribs before slicing and serving to maximize moisture and taste. With the right techniques, you can enjoy fall-off-the-bone ribs conveniently off your backyard gas grill.