Are you craving succulent, melt-in-your-mouth boneless pork ribs while sticking to your keto or low-carb lifestyle? Look no further! This article provides a comprehensive guide to preparing delicious keto country-style ribs using various cooking methods, including the Instant Pot, oven, air fryer, and smoker.
What are Country Style Ribs?
If you're unfamiliar with different meat cuts, you might wonder what country-style ribs are. Despite the name, country-style ribs aren't actually ribs at all! They are a meaty cut from the blade end of the loin, close to the pork shoulder. They offer a similar flavor to true rib cuts but are meatier and often more budget-friendly.
This cut of meat is usually fattier, which helps keep them juicy during cooking. However, country-style ribs can be a bit tougher than baby back or spare ribs. That's why cooking them in an Instant Pot is a great method for this recipe.
Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
These Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are simple to make, low carb, paleo and gluten-free. These juicy pork ribs are cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot and they will melt in your mouth! They are tender and so flavorful that you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them this way before now. Top them with your favorite sugar-free bbq sauce, and the ribs are sure to please your taste buds as well as your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs Country Style Pork Ribs (thick-cut, individual, usually boneless)
- 1 cup beef broth (or vegetable or chicken broth)
- Your favorite sugar-free BBQ sauce (such as G Hughes Smokehouse)
- 1 tablespoon oil
Dry Rub Spices:
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Cayenne pepper
Barbecue Sauce:
- Butter
- Tomato sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Liquid smoke
- Worcestershire sauce
- Molasses
- Erythritol sweetener
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
Prepare the Ribs: Season the country-style ribs liberally with your preferred seasoning blend or the listed dry rub spices. For optimal flavor, season the ribs the night before or at least 30 minutes before cooking.
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Sear the Ribs (Optional but Recommended): Turn the Instant Pot onto the Saute function and add oil. Sear the meat on all sides in small batches to brown each piece. Searing builds flavor and texture by creating a caramelized crust that locks in juices.
Pressure Cook: Add beef broth to the inner pot of the Instant Pot and place the steamer rack (trivet) into the pot. Stack the ribs on top of the steamer rack in the pot.
For the barbecue sauce:In a small saucepan over medium heat add butter and melt. Add tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, erythritol sweetener, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Stir until blended. Remove from heat and set the barbecue sauce aside. Pour half of the barbecue sauce over the ribs and save the remaining half of the sauce for brushing on the ribs after cooking later.Close & lock the Instant Pot lid and flip the steam release handle to the Sealing position. Select Pressure Cook (Manual) on High Pressure and set the cooking time for 30 to 35 minutes.
Natural Pressure Release: Once the cook time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes (or until the pin on the lid drops). This allows the meat to finish tenderizing.
Add BBQ Sauce (Optional): Drain all of the liquid in the pot out and add your favorite low-carb or sugar-free sauce directly over the meat and serve.
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Broil (Optional): For caramelized flavor, carefully remove the ribs, place them on a baking sheet, brush with sugar-free BBQ sauce, and broil for about 10 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Keto Oven-Baked Country Style Ribs
Cooking boneless pork ribs in the oven might sound daunting, but it's simpler than you'd think.
Ingredients
- Boneless country-style pork ribs
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Sugar-free barbecue sauce, chimichurri sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, ginger, paprika, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Season Ribs: In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture all over your pork ribs until they are fully covered. You can also marinate the ribs in sugar-free barbecue sauce or chimichurri sauce, then bake them. Mix some low-sodium soy sauce and ginger for that delicious Asian twist to your ribs. And if you're up for a little kick, sprinkle some paprika and red pepper flakes on your pork ribs. This is a very important step, so don't skip it!
- Bake: Place the ribs on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours.
- Thicken Sauce: While the ribs bake, place the sauce in the medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, simmering slightly, stirring constantly, until it forms a sticky sauce.
- Broil (Optional): Remove from the oven, discard the top sheet of foil, and drain the liquid from the pan. Brush the tops of the ribs generously with the thickened sauce, and place back in the oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
- Serve: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for perfectly cooked pork.
Keto Air Fryer Country Style Ribs
Cooking boneless pork ribs in the air fryer is so easy. It is also my preferred cooking method.
Ingredients
- Pork scotch (also known as pork neck, pork butt or shoulder butt)
- Pork Rib Rub seasoning (or any store-bought you prefer)
- Chicken Smoker Rub (optional)
- Keto BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Slice the Pork: Slice the pork into strips similar in size to pork ribs.
- Season: Combine the rub and smoker rub in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the pork and rub to coat the meat completely. Add more seasoning if you need it.
- Air Fry: Place the pork into the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 15 minutes/170°C(340°F). Turn the pork over at this stage moving any pork on the bottom to the top layer. Cook for a further 10 minutes/170°C(340°F).
- Baste: When the pork is almost cooked to your liking baste the pork with the barbecue sauce.
- Cook: Cook for a remaining 5-10 min/170°C(340°F) or until cooked to your liking.
Keto Smoked Country Style Ribs
Ingredients
- Pork scotch (also known as pork neck, pork butt or shoulder butt)
- Pork Rib Rub seasoning (or any store-bought you prefer)
- Chicken Smoker Rub (optional)
- Keto BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Set Up Smoker: Set up the smoker to reach a consistent 105°C (225°F) heat using any wood of choice. (Takes about 20 minutes)
- Slice the Pork: Slice the pork into strips similar in size to pork ribs.
- Season: Combine the rub and smoker rub in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the pork and rub to coat the meat completely. Add more seasoning if you need it.
- Smoke: Place the pork strips directly onto the smoker grill on indirect heat. Cooking time can range for 60-75 minutes, but you are looking for an internal temperature of 70°C(160°F).
- Baste: Remove the pork and place into a pan or foil tray. Baste the pork with the barbecue sauce.
- Cook: Adjust the smoker to 135°C (275°F). Cook for 1-2 hours or until an internal temp of 95°C (200°F) is reached.
- Rest: Remove from the smoker; rest for 10 minutes.
Tips for the Perfect Keto Country Style Ribs
- Choose the Right Ribs: Look for country-style ribs with good marbling (fat content) for optimal juiciness. Aim for a meat-to-fat ratio that ensures the ribs remain moist without being overly fatty.
- Season Generously and Early: The longer the ribs sit with the seasoning, the more flavorful they will be.
- Don't Skip Searing (If Possible): Searing adds depth of flavor and improves the texture of the ribs.
- Natural Pressure Release is Key: Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for the most tender results.
- Customize Your Sauce: There are tons of amazing low-carb and sugar-free recipes for BBQ sauce out there on the internet. Just google low carb or THM BBQ Sauce and you’ll have many to choose from.
- Broil for Caramelization: Broiling the sauced ribs creates a delicious caramelized crust.
Serving Suggestions
These keto country-style ribs are incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways:
- Main Course: Serve with low-carb side dishes like cheesy cauliflower mash, roasted turnips, bulgur salad, air fryer cauliflower, or southern-style bacon green beans.
- Salad Topping: Top your favorite salad with the ribs for a protein-packed and flavorful meal.
- Pulled Pork Substitute: Use leftover ribs in place of pulled pork in sandwiches or mac and cheese.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to three days.
- Freeze: Ribs can be placed in an airtight container that is freezer friendly. Then store in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge the night before you plan to serve them.
- Reheat: Warm them up in the microwave, or even the oven. If you do the oven, add a little water to the bottom of a pan, lay down your ribs, and then wrap in aluminum foil. This will help prevent them from drying out as they warm up. Then heat until warmed through and serve.
Variations
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the dry rub for a spicy kick.
- Asian-Inspired: Marinate the ribs in a mixture of low-sodium soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for an Asian twist.
- Herbaceous: Add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to the dry rub for an earthy flavor.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 321
- Total Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 100.1mg
- Sodium: 301mg
- Carbohydrates: 3.4g
- Net Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: .4g
- Sugar: .3g
- Protein: 45g
Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and cooking methods.
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