Brined Country-Style Pork Ribs

[DivotMaker]

Smoke 6 1/2 lbs of country-style ribs today.  For those of you that don't know what those are, they are just a bone-in Boston butt pork shoulder that's been sliced into 1" slabs (ribs).

I brined them overnight in my pork butt brine.  I did add about 1/2 tsp. of pink #1 instacure to the brine this time (not sure why, just seemed like a good idea at the time).  I should have only brined these about 6 hours, but I didn't want to get up at 4 am to get them in the brine!  So, early this morning, I dumped the brine and replaced it with fresh cold water.  The ribs soaked in the plain water (to remove a little of the salt in the brine) until 10 am.

Out of the brine (water), the ribs were treated to a yellow mustard slather and a good coat of Famous Dave's Rib Rub.  Then, into the smoker with a water pan (no apple juice on hand, had to use water) and 3 oz. of cherry.

The Auber was set to run at 225 until the IT was 193.  This took 5:10 to reach 193.  At that point, the ribs were double-wrapped in HD foil and put in the cooler to rest.

While the ribs were resting, I whipped-up a batch of good ol' taters and onions!  Chopped potatoes, chopped onions, in canola oil until brown.  I use a cast iron dutch oven for this - works great!

All in all, it was a fine meal!  The ribs were moist and tender, and the taters & onions were great!  Country-style pork ribs are cheap, and an easy smoke.  I recommend them to anyone looking for an easy smoke, and some great pork!

 

[Smokster]

Hey Tont, that is an interesting smoke. Looks easy enough, but something I never heard or thought of. I have a pork loin in the freezer, can I use the same method for that cut of meat, or do you recommend otherwise?

 

[DivotMaker]

Tony, my pork loin method is a little different (even the brine is, too).  Here it is:

http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1864.0

This one used Jeff Philips' rub, but Dave's rib rub is great, too.  I only smoke to 155, then reverse-sear on the grill.  Works out great!

 

[jcboxlot]

I got 4 lbs of country ribs to try on Friday.  Brine, mustard and rub before smoke.

Can someone confirm finish temp on these?  I have seen anywhere from 175 to 195 posted here and other sites (Jeff).

Does the 1 1/2 hour per pound apply on these?

 

[SuperDave]

I got 4 lbs of country ribs to try on Friday.  Brine, mustard and rub before smoke.

Can someone confirm finish temp on these?  I have seen anywhere from 175 to 195 posted here and other sites (Jeff).

Does the 1 1/2 hour per pound apply on these?

Does yours look like Tony's?  We've discussed this cut on another thread and it is very different depending on what part of the country you are in.  In my park of the country, Tony's are called pork steaks.  My country style ribs are 2" X 2" X 9".  The dimension difference between the 2 would make a big difference on what my finished temp would be.  I go to the 195 end of your range. 

 

[NDKoze]

Here in ND, we have what are called Blade Steaks. These are basically just bone-in 3/4"-1" sliced Boston Butt and are about the size of a large Ribeye.

We also have Country Style Ribs which generally are 2X2X9 like Dave mentioned, although depending on the merchant I have seen some of them more like 1.5" squares.

I haven't tried these yet, but they are on my short list of things to try.

I think the brine is very important, because with all the surface area of a Country Style Rib, taking to 190+ internal I would start worrying about them drying out a bit.

 

[jcboxlot]

These are about 1 1/4 square x 7 inches.  Some you can see the bottom end bone, some I think its inside.

I'll shoot for 190 and foil to rest.

Planning on just dry rubbed like I do ribs.

 

[SuperDave]

I plan on doing country style ribs this weekend but plan in doing them on the grill. 

 

[Barrel99]

Looking good! I love country style spare ribs. We have them everywhere in Florida. My favorite is to marinade them in teriyaki sauce over night and cook them on the grill with homemade Chinese fried rice cooked inside. They are relatively lean and will overcook and dry out pretty fast so they have to be watched. Next time I will try brining and smoking them.

 

[SuperDave]

Arnie,
Do you have World Market stores there in Florida?  I buy a Char Siu marinade for mine and make the pretty, red Asian ribs, stir fry and rice.  Even though I'm going grill master this weekend, I'll post some pics. 

 

[Barrel99]

I used to have World here Dave, but the one by me closed. I love Char Siu. Used to order Char Siu Ding in the restaurant. I just saw a recipe for it recently. I will look for it. Also, I have loads of Chinese food stores here and I am sure I can can get it. I will try that too and let you know.

 

[BedouinBob]

That, Tony, looks to me like happiness on a plate. I used to do these on the gasser and haven't tried them in the SI yet. 

 

[SuperDave]

I want to know how he made the taters.  Oven roasted and covered in bacon?

 

[DivotMaker]

I got 4 lbs of country ribs to try on Friday.  Brine, mustard and rub before smoke.

Can someone confirm finish temp on these?  I have seen anywhere from 175 to 195 posted here and other sites (Jeff).

Does the 1 1/2 hour per pound apply on these?

I do them to at least 190, since they're just a sliced Boston butt - gotta render that fat!  The 1.5 hour rule doesn't apply, as they're much smaller pieces.  I usually find (depending on the thickness) 00:45 to 1:00 hour per pound.  Just have to probe one, from the end.

 

[DivotMaker]

That, Tony, looks to me like happiness on a plate. I used to do these on the gasser and haven't tried them in the SI yet. 

Definitely a winner, Bob! 8)

 

[DivotMaker]

I want to know how he made the taters.  Oven roasted and covered in bacon?

Nope, just good 'ol Southern "fried taters and onions!"  I cube whole taters in about 1/2" cubes, chop a whole red onion, and fry in canola oil until brown.  Highly addictive!

 

[SuperDave]

I want to know how he made the taters.  Oven roasted and covered in bacon?

Nope, just good 'ol Southern "fried taters and onions!"  I cube whole taters in about 1/2" cubes, chop a whole red onion, and fry in canola oil until brown.  Highly addictive!

Oh carp, maybe I just created another recipe.  LOL! 

 

[DivotMaker]

Yeah, Dave, bacon makes everything better!  Go for it!!

 

[Barrel99]

A quick tip. I buy the real bacon bits at Costco, or SAMs. They come in a big bag By Hormel and another major brand. I fry them up with potatoes and onions. I also put them in my omelets. May not be quite as good as the real bacon sliced, but it's quick and close enough. Usually I fry them up in the oil for a minute then add everything else.