Boneless pork ribs offer the yummy flavors of traditional pork ribs but without having bones in the way. As a result, they can still deliver a party to your taste buds but in a less messy way. You have several options to cook boneless pork ribs, whether you prefer using your oven or speeding things up with an air fryer. This guide explains how to use popular cooking methods to make boneless pork ribs.
What Are Boneless Pork Ribs?
Traditional pork ribs come from the ribcage area of a pig. When they’re removed from a pig, they include the rib bones. When you buy several bones together, it’s known as a rack of ribs, a common staple at steakhouses and barbecue restaurants.
Boneless pork ribs aren’t the same cut. Instead, they usually come from the shoulder area of the pig, which includes a lot of meat that can be cut from bone to create boneless ribs. The taste is similar but without the bones involved, which offers a more straightforward preparation than removing rib bones if you’re more into boneless meat.
Boneless pork ribs are often used to make country-style ribs that exude flavor and are deliciously tender.
Tips for Preparing Boneless Pork Ribs
Boneless pork ribs are uncomplicated, which is one of the reasons we love them so much. Still, it might help to follow a few tips.
First, before seasoning your ribs, look for and remove any excess fat, like chunks hanging off the ends. You’ll want to leave some fat there, as it adds flavor and moisture to the ribs while cooking, so try not to get too carried away.
Next, rest the ribs at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking to help them come up in temperature. This leads to a more thorough and even cook, especially for thicker areas of the ribs.
Finally, add plenty of seasoning. Even if you sauce your ribs, seasoning helps bring out a lot of flavor during cooking and allows the ribs to crisp well on the outside. You can even add some seasoning after marinating your ribs if you’d like. Be sure to season all sides of the ribs.
Flavor Variations for Boneless Pork Ribs
There are no rules to the flavors you use when making boneless pork ribs. In fact, pork pairs well with lots of flavor profiles, so you’re not stuck with using regular barbecue sauce if you’re not into it. Here are a few flavor variations to try:
- Lemon herb marinade: Do you prefer marinade instead of a sauce? Try this lemon herb marinade. Mix together honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, sage, and rosemary. Place the ribs in a food storage bag and pour the marinade on top. Lay the bag flat in the refrigerator overnight.
- Maple glaze: Combine maple syrup with soy sauce and a small amount of dried mustard for a rich and delightful maple glaze. Add the glaze once the ribs reach around 190°F if cooking in the oven or on the grill. Then, broil for 4-5 minutes until the glaze caramelizes.
- Honey garlic glaze: A mixture of honey, minced garlic, soy sauce or teriyaki sauce, and rice vinegar can create a gooey, sweet, and savory mix of flavors to glaze your boneless ribs with. Follow the same steps as the maple bourbon glaze to caramelize the sauce at the end of the cooking process.
At What Temperature Is Pork Fully Cooked?
The USDA recommends that pork be cooked to at least 145°F. This means that the thickest internal part of boneless pork ribs should reach at least 145°F to be considered cooked to a safe temperature.
However, pork ribs actually do better when they’re cooked past this point if you’re using a slow-cooking method, like the slow cooker, grill, or oven. In these cases, you should strive for a temperature of 190-200°F if you have the time to let the ribs get there. At this point, the pork ribs become super tender, unlike the chewier bite that you might be accustomed to with pork chops. Still, they’re perfectly safe to eat at the minimum temperature of 145°F.
Methods of Cooking Boneless Pork Ribs
Below, we provide easy-to-follow instructions for the most common ways to cook boneless pork ribs. Enjoy!
In the Oven
Oven-cooking boneless pork ribs is easy to do, although you’ll need about two hours to complete the task. Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. While it preheats, prepare the boneless ribs. Pat them dry, then brush a light layer of olive oil on all sides of the ribs. Season them on all sides with your favorite spice mixture or rub.
Then, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray. Place the ribs on the baking sheet with space between them for even cooking. Cover the ribs with another layer of foil, and transfer the ribs to the middle oven rack. Cook for 30 minutes. Then, turn them to the other side and continue cooking until they feel tender to the touch. This will likely take another 30 minutes or so.
Remove the ribs from the oven and drain any liquid from the pan. Brush on your favorite barbecue sauce, turn on the broiler, and broil for 4-5 minutes until the sauce caramelizes. Let the ribs rest at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.
On the Grill
Craving savory flavors? The grill is the way to go. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. While you wait, season the boneless pork ribs with a dry rub or seasoning mix and brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place the ribs directly on the grill over direct heat.
Sear each side for about 4-5 minutes until they become lightly browned and crisp. Then, move the ribs to indirect heat or reduce your grill’s temperature to medium (around 250°F). Close the grill lid and cook for 30-60 minutes, flipping once or twice, until the ribs become tender. If you’d like to add barbecue sauce to the ribs, do it during the low-heat process, brushing the ribs every 15-20 minutes.
Rest the ribs at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.
On the Stove
The stove offers a quicker way to cook boneless pork ribs than the oven, grill, or Crock Pot, but it also doesn’t allow ribs to become as tender as other methods do. Still, it works if you’re on a time crunch for getting dinner on the table and can still lead to a tasty dish if you do it right.
If possible, marinate your boneless pork ribs the night before to help them tenderize. About 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook them, remove them from the marinade—but save the extra marinade—and keep them at room temperature. Then, heat a large skillet with a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Add the ribs and sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Add some leftover marinade to the pan and let it come to a soft boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes until the ribs become tender. Rest ribs for 5 minutes before serving. If desired, drizzle the marinade over the ribs.
In Crock Pot
If you don’t want to babysit your pork ribs, you can place them in the slow cooker to cook throughout the day and be ready for dinner time.
Season the ribs on all sides with your choice of seasoning or spice rub. Then, pour your favorite barbecue sauce over the top of the ribs until covered. You’ll need about one cup or so. Add in a splash of soy sauce and orange juice, both of which help the ribs tenderize in the slow cooker. Be sure to mix all liquids together as much as possible.
Cook for 8 hours on low. The ribs should pull apart easily with a fork when ready.
In Air Fryer
Air fryer boneless pork ribs come out crisp and tasty, and they don’t take much time to make.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. While you wait, lightly coat the ribs with olive oil and season them however you’d like. Then, place the ribs in the air fryer, leaving space between each one for even cooking. Cook for 8-10 minutes before flipping to the other side. Cook for another 5-8 minutes.
Remove the ribs from the air fryer using tongs. Brush barbecue sauce on all sides and transfer the ribs back to the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. The ribs should feel tender to the touch and be crisp on the outside. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is at least 145°F. If not, cook for another 1-2 minutes. Rest the ribs for 5 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Perfect Pairings with Boneless Pork Ribs
Boneless pork ribs are a staple in Southern cooking, so it stands to reason that many of the best side dishes to serve with them would also fit into that category. Baked beans, cornbread, Southern-style potato salad, and coleslaw are some of the top options for boneless pork ribs.
Other potential pairings:
- Jalapeno cheddar cornbread
- Corn on the cob
- French fries or tater tots
- Baked potato
- Pasta salad
- Deviled eggs
- Grilled asparagus
- Macaroni and cheese
- Cucumber and tomato salad
Wrap Up
Be sure to bookmark this guide to reference when you’re ready to start cooking boneless pork ribs. You can also check out dozens of other pork articles on Steak University to learn more about seasoning, cooking, and preparing pork dishes.
If you ever decide to venture into bone-in ribs, try our slab of baby back ribs from Coach Ditka, which come cooked and prepared with his famous sauce, so they’re ready to heat and serve.