Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook country style pork ribs on your Traeger grill?
Look no further!
In this article, we’ll provide you with several different methods for cooking these tender and flavorful ribs. Whether you prefer a smoky and tangy flavor or a sweet and savory taste, we’ve got you covered.
So grab your apron and let’s get started!
How To Cook Country Style Pork Ribs On A Traeger?
Method 1: Low and Slow
One of the most popular ways to cook country style pork ribs on a Traeger is to use the low and slow method. This involves cooking the ribs at a low temperature for several hours, allowing them to become tender and juicy.
To begin, set your Traeger to cook at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it has reached the desired temperature, place your ribs on the grill and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit. This should take approximately three hours.
While the ribs are cooking, spritz them with apple juice every hour until they reach the desired temperature. Once they have reached 155 degrees Fahrenheit, remove them from the Traeger and place them in a large roasting dish or disposable pan.
Add a half cup of apple juice and four pats of butter to the roasting dish, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and return the ribs to your smoker. Increase the temperature to 275 degrees Fahrenheit and let the ribs cook until they reach an internal temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit. This should take about an hour.
Once the ribs have reached the desired temperature, remove them from the roasting pan and place them back on the grill rack. Brush each rib with your favorite BBQ sauce and let them cook at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes. Remove from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Method 2: Rub and Sauce
Another great way to cook country style pork ribs on a Traeger is to use a rub and sauce method. This involves seasoning the ribs with a dry rub before cooking them on the grill, then adding BBQ sauce towards the end of the cooking process.
To begin, lay your ribs out over a large cutting board or cookie sheet. Coat all sides of your ribs evenly with your favorite dry rub. Place your ribs directly onto your grill grates and let them cook for two hours.
After two hours, pull your ribs from the grill and place them into a container that is grill-safe. Pour BBQ sauce on top of the ribs, making sure to cover and coat all of them. Wrap the top with aluminum foil and place back onto the grill for one to two more hours.
Check your ribs after one hour for tenderness using a fork. Your fork should easily cut through the meat. If the ribs need more time, recover them and let them keep cooking. Recheck every 20 minutes until they reach the desired level of tenderness.
Method 3: High Heat
If you’re short on time but still want delicious country style pork ribs on your Traeger, try using high heat. This method involves cooking the ribs at a high temperature for a shorter amount of time.
To begin, trim most of the fat cap from your pork ribs if needed. Season generously with salt and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
When ready to cook, set your Traeger temperature to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Place pork ribs directly on the grill grates and close the lid. Cook, flipping halfway through until deeply browned (15-20 minutes).
Meanwhile, melt one tablespoon of butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until lightly browned (about five minutes). Add thyme and bay leaves and continue cooking until fragrant (about one minute more).
Remove ribs from grill and transfer to pan with onions. Reduce Traeger temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Add bone broth or chicken stock and sherry vinegar to pan to deglaze. Drizzle honey over ribs. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Transfer pan to grill, close lid, and braise until fork-tender (about two-and-a-half hours). Add more broth if needed if pan starts to look dry.
When ribs have about 20 minutes left, melt remaining tablespoon of butter in medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. When butter is lightly browned, add apple and potato to pan and cook until lightly browned (10-15 minutes).
Remove pan from grill and transfer ribs to plate. Discard thyme and bay leaves. Pour pork braising liquid and caramelized onions into pan with apples and potatoes. Bring to simmer over medium heat.
Add kale and cook until starting to wilt. Season with red pepper flakes and toss to combine, then continue cooking until kale wilts completely, liquid has reduced, and apples/potatoes are tender.
Add pork ribs to pan with vegetables then sprinkle croutons on top. Serve warm.
Prepping Your Country Style Pork Ribs
Before cooking your country style pork ribs on a Traeger, it’s important to properly prep them. Start by removing any excess fat from the ribs, as too much fat can cause flare-ups on the grill.
Next, season your ribs with your favorite dry rub or marinade. Make sure to coat all sides of the ribs evenly for maximum flavor. Let the ribs sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before placing them on the grill.
If you’re using the low and slow method, spritz your ribs with apple juice every hour while they cook. This helps keep them moist and adds a subtle sweetness to the flavor.
For the rub and sauce method, make sure to cover your ribs in BBQ sauce towards the end of the cooking process to give them a delicious glaze.
If you’re using high heat, make sure to brown your ribs on both sides before transferring them to a pan with onions and broth for braising. This will help lock in the flavor and create a delicious crust on the outside of the meat.
No matter which method you choose, prepping your country style pork ribs properly will ensure that they turn out juicy, tender, and full of flavor on your Traeger grill.
Seasoning Your Ribs For Flavor
Seasoning your country style pork ribs is a crucial step in ensuring that they are full of flavor. While you could use a variety of different seasonings, one popular option is to simply rub the ribs with salt and pepper. This will give them a nice savory flavor that pairs well with BBQ sauce.
If you want to add a little more depth to your seasoning, consider using garlic salt or a pre-made dry rub. Some people also like to add a touch of sweetness by sprinkling brown sugar on top of their ribs before cooking.
Regardless of what seasoning you choose, be sure to coat all sides of your ribs evenly. This will help to ensure that every bite is packed with flavor. Once your ribs are seasoned, it’s time to get them onto the grill and start cooking!
Smoking Your Ribs On The Traeger Grill
Smoking your country style pork ribs on a Traeger grill can be a delicious and easy way to cook them. The key is to use the right temperature and timing to achieve that perfect balance of tenderness and flavor.
To begin, preheat your Traeger grill to 225°F. While the grill is heating up, prepare your ribs by removing the membrane from the bone side of the ribs. This can be done with a small knife and paper towel, or by using your fingers to loosen the membrane and peel it away.
Next, apply your favorite dry rub to all sides of the ribs. You can use a store-bought rub or make your own using a combination of spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar. Be sure to press the rub into the meat so it adheres well.
Once your grill has reached the desired temperature, place your ribs on the grill grates bone-side down. Close the lid and let them smoke for three hours. During this time, you can spritz them with apple juice every hour to keep them moist and flavorful.
After three hours, remove the ribs from the grill and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil. You can add a little bit of BBQ sauce at this point if you like, but it’s not necessary. Place the wrapped ribs back on the grill and increase the temperature to 350°F.
Let the ribs cook in the foil for another 45 minutes to an hour, or until they reach an internal temperature of 204°F. This will ensure that they are fully cooked and tender.
Once they are done, remove the ribs from the foil and place them back on the grill grates. Brush them with your favorite BBQ sauce and let them cook for another 10-15 minutes until the sauce sets.
Finally, remove the ribs from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing between the bones into individual servings. Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side if desired.
By following these simple steps, you can smoke delicious country style pork ribs on your Traeger grill that are sure to impress your family and friends.
Grilling Your Ribs For A Crispy Finish
If you’re looking for a crispy finish on your country style pork ribs, there are a few things you can do to achieve this. One option is to use the rub and sauce method, as mentioned above. Another option is to use the low and slow method, but finish the ribs on high heat.
To finish your ribs on high heat, simply increase the temperature of your Traeger to 450 degrees Fahrenheit during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. This will help to crisp up the outside of the ribs while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Another trick for achieving a crispy finish is to remove the ribs from the grill and place them directly on a hot grill grate for a few minutes. This will help to sear the outside of the ribs and give them that delicious charred flavor.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to keep an eye on your ribs during the cooking process to avoid overcooking or burning. With a little practice, you’ll be able to achieve perfectly crispy country style pork ribs every time!
Adding Sauce For Extra Flavor (Optional)
If you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your country style pork ribs, you can add some BBQ sauce towards the end of the cooking process. This will give your ribs a sweet and tangy taste that will complement the smoky flavor from the grill.
To add sauce to your ribs, you can either brush it on during the last 15 minutes of cooking or add it to a container with your ribs and let them cook for an additional hour or two. If you decide to brush the sauce on, make sure to do so during the last 15 minutes of cooking to prevent the sugars in the sauce from burning.
If you choose to add the sauce in a container, remove your ribs from the grill after two hours of cooking and place them into a container that is grill-safe. Pour BBQ sauce on top of the ribs, making sure to cover and coat all of them. Wrap the top with aluminum foil and place back onto the grill for one to two more hours.
Make sure to check your ribs after one hour for tenderness using a fork. Your fork should easily cut through the meat. If the ribs need more time, recover them and let them keep cooking. Recheck every 20 minutes until they reach the desired level of tenderness.
By adding BBQ sauce to your country style pork ribs, you’ll create a delicious and flavorful meal that will be sure to impress your family and friends.
Checking The Temperature For Doneness
When cooking country style pork ribs on a Traeger, it’s important to ensure that they are cooked to the right temperature to ensure both safety and flavor. The recommended internal temperature for pork is 145°F, but for country style pork ribs, you’ll want to cook them a bit longer to allow the connective tissue to break down and become tender.
To check the temperature for doneness, you’ll need a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, making sure not to touch any bones. For the low and slow method, you’ll want to check the temperature after three hours of cooking at 225°F. The ribs should reach an internal temperature of 155°F at this point.
If you’re using the rub and sauce method, check the temperature after two hours of cooking. At this point, the internal temperature should be around 135°F. After adding the BBQ sauce and wrapping with aluminum foil, continue cooking until the ribs reach an internal temperature of 190°F.
For the high heat method, check the temperature after two-and-a-half hours of braising at 325°F. The ribs should be fork-tender and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Remember to always let your ribs rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. With these tips, you can cook delicious and perfectly cooked country style pork ribs on your Traeger every time.