What Are Country Style Beef Ribs?

Country style beef ribs are a popular beef cut that come from the chuck section of the cow. They have a delicious beefy flavor and become incredibly tender when cooked low and slow. Keep reading to learn all about what country style ribs are, where they come from, how to cook them, and some delicious recipe ideas.

Other Names for Country Style Beef Ribs

Country style beef ribs are also known as:

• Boneless chuck roast
• Chuck eye ribs
• Beef back ribs

So if you see those names, it’s referring to the same cut of meat. The name “country style ribs” helps distinguish that they are beef ribs rather than pork.

Where Country Style Ribs Come From on the Cow

Country style ribs are not actually ribs at all. They come from the chuck section and are cut from a whole chuck roll, which is the shoulder area of the cow.

Specifically, country style ribs are cut by splitting a chuck eye steak in half lengthwise. This results in two long pieces that resemble ribs, hence the name “country style ribs.”

The chuck eye steak is sometimes called a “poor man’s ribeye” because it’s a more affordable cut but still has good marbling. Country style ribs reflect those characteristics – well-marbled, flavorful, and budget friendly compared to actual beef ribs.

Characteristics of Country Style Beef Ribs

Some key qualities of country style beef ribs:

• Boneless
• Well-marbled with fat ribbons throughout
• Meaty texture
• Rich beefy flavor
• Relatively affordable cut
• Benefits from slow, moist cooking methods
• Very tender and juicy when cooked properly

The ample marbling provides great flavor and moisture, while the boneless convenience makes them easier to cook compared to bone-in ribs. Their texture is firm but not tough when raw.

How to Cook Country Style Beef Ribs

To get country style ribs perfectly tender, they need to be cooked low and slow using moist heat. Here are some excellent cooking methods:

• Braising – Brown first, then cook in liquid for 2-3 hours until fall-apart tender
• Slow cooker – 8+ hours on low or 4-6 hours on high
• Pressure cooker – Cook for 30-40 minutes under pressure
• Oven braise – Brown ribs then bake for 2-3 hours in a covered dish
• Grill – Smoke or indirectly grill for 1-2 hours, finish directly over heat

The ribs benefit from an initial sear to build flavor. Then the moist cooking environment gently breaks down the connective tissue.

Use lots of aromatic veggies and seasonings in the braising liquid. The meaty ribs will soak up those flavors.

Recipe Ideas for Country Style Beef Ribs

Country style ribs pair well with a variety of flavors. Try recipes like:

• Italian – Braise in tomato sauce and red wine.
• Barbecue – Coat with a sticky-sweet BBQ sauce.
• Asian – Marinate in soy, sesame oil, and ginger.
• Mexican – Use chili powder, cumin, garlic in the braise.
• Southern – Slow cook in beef broth with onions and bell peppers.

Other creative ideas include:

• Beer-braised with mustard and caraway
• Tacos with salsa and cabbage slaw
• Over cheesy grits or polenta
• In hearty pasta bolognese sauce
• Stuffed into sandwiches and melts

The meat shreds nicely after cooking for use in pastas, tacos, sandwiches, and more. The bones give a perception of eating ribs without having to navigate a bone-in slab.

Buying and Storing Country Style Beef Ribs

When buying country style ribs, look for a deep red color and creamy white fat marbling. Avoid any with dry or brown areas.

For storage, rewrap the ribs tightly in fresh butcher paper or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-3 days or freeze for 4-6 months until ready to use.

Allow frozen ribs to thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking. Cook within 1-2 days of thawing.

Nutrition of Country Style Beef Ribs

A 3 ounce serving of country style beef ribs (cooked, lean only) offers:

• 190 calories
• 26g protein
• 10g fat
• 85mg cholesterol
• 2.5mg iron
• 9.2mg zinc

The ribs provide high quality protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Choose a leaner cut like 93% lean ground beef to reduce saturated fat.

How Country Style Ribs Differ from Other Beef Ribs

There are a few other types of beef ribs:

• Short ribs – Cut from the rib primal with a bone. Need to be cooked even slower than country style.
• Back ribs – Come from the loin close to the spine with lots of bone. More expensive but very flavorful.
• Dino ribs – From the plate primal. Similar shape as country style ribs but with a bone.

Country style ribs are convenient because they are:

• Boneless – Easier to cook, carve, and eat
• Well-marbled – Provides flavor and tenderness
• Affordable – Chuck is a budget-friendly primal

So they offer the delicious beef rib experience without the higher cost and bone-in challenges.

In Summary

Country style beef ribs are a boneless, well-marbled cut from the chuck eye roll of the cow. They need moist slow cooking to become fall-apart tender with a rich beefy flavor. Their convenience and affordability make them a go-to choice for pot roasts, braises, ribs, and more beefy comfort food dishes.

Next time you see country style ribs at the butcher or grocery store, consider grabbing them for your next hearty beef dinner. With the right cooking method, they become incredibly juicy, tender, and full of flavor.