Country-Style Ribs & Rice

An old-school Southern recipe made with rice cooked in a rich stock made from slowly cooked country-style pork ribs. 

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If you’re still reading this after seeing the description above, you’re probably from the deep south, over 40 or have an affinity for country cooking. Or all of the above.

And you might be thinking about how good it will be with a side of crowder peas or baby limas and some fresh sliced garden tomatoes. While we’re daydreaming, let’s add some collard greens, potato salad and biscuits too. Man, dang!

And if you’re anything like me, your mouth is watering just thinking about all of it! 

We Southerners love to cook rice in the pan drippings and stock of slow-cooked meat – typically chicken or pork. From Chicken Pilau (“perlo”) to Greasy Rice to Chicken Bog to Ham Rice, if something we cook puts off a fair amount of drippings or makes a rich broth, we’re not letting it go to waste!

Doing so would be as sacrilegious as throwing out bacon grease.

This recipe evolved from something I grew up eating and love: Neck Bones & Rice. Neck Bones & Rice (recipe here) is typically a little more basic than this recipe but it’s made the same way. I just started using country-style ribs over the years because they’re easier to find and have a LOT more meat.

WHAT ARE COUNTRY-STYLE RIBS?

Country-style ribs aren’t actually ribs at all. True country-style pork ribs are strips cut from the area between the butt and the rib end of the loin. Before these “ribs” became popular, the meat from this area was typically ground for sausage because it’s so fatty and boney, no one really knew how to market it. 

Country-style ribs have become so popular that butchers are cutting “ribs” from pork shoulders. This is fine but they can be somewhat dry since they’re much leaner than true country-style ribs and often boneless. Most of what you see in big chain grocery stores aren’t true country-style ribs, but rather these strips of shoulder.

FAQ ON COOKING COUNTRY-STYLE RIBS:

Do I have to sear the ribs first? Yes. This will add a layer of flavor to the stock, it will help the ribs finish very tender and, since you’re likely not getting true county style ribs (which means they will be leaner) we need to add some fat to the dish.

Why bacon grease? Because bacon makes everything better. It will add a smoky flavor to the rice. Vegetable oil can be substituted if necessary but if the reason you don’t have bacon grease is because you don’t save it, you might need to get right with Jesus. 

Do I have to use country-style ribs? Nope! Pork neck bones or a small bone-in roast will work great too. You can use any cut you find that has plenty of marbling and/or bones since this is where the flavor comes from. 

What is Liquid Smoke? Liquid Smoke is sort of a savory extract that is actually made from smoke. Particles of hardwood smoke (such as hickory or mesquite) are collected in condensers which creates a liquid that is then reduced to a concentrate.  It’s optional in this recipe but I think it really makes the rice taste amazing! Look for it near BBQ sauces and marinades in your grocery store.

I typically serve this as a main dish first then serve the leftovers as a side dish later in the week. If you’re thinking about making it, here are some ideas for what to serve with it:

Southern-Style Canned Green Beans Perfectly cooked Southern-style green beans with canned beans - the beans don’t fall apart but taste like they’ve cooked all day!

Country-Style Baby Lima Beans A no-fail Southern recipe for tender baby lima beans (butterbeans) cooked low and slow with bacon.

Cucumber & Tomato Salad A simple recipe for a perfect summer salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and an easy oil and vinegar dressing.

Southern-Style Green Beans & Potatoes Fresh green beans and potatoes cooked low and slow the Southern way with bacon and onion.

Perfectly Cooked Collard Greens A step-by-step recipe for cooking the best authentic Southern collard greens.

Southern-Style Potato Salad Southern style potato salad recipe with mayonnaise, a little mustard, pickle relish and boiled eggs.

Southern Cooked Cabbage Cabbage cooked the Southern way by sautéing in bacon grease then slowly cooking until tender - sometimes called Fried Cabbage.

Recipe for Country-Style Ribs and Rice

Country-Style Ribs & Rice

Yield: 8 Servings

Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 3 HourTotal time: 3 H & 10 M

An old-school Southern recipe made with rice cooked in a rich stock made from slowly cooked country-style ribs.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. country-style pork ribs
• Salt & pepper
• 4 tablespoons bacon grease
• 1 14.5-oz can beef broth
• 2 1/4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke (optional)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups uncooked white rice

Instructions

1. Season ribs on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat bacon grease over medium-high heat.
2. Sear ribs on all sides then set aside.
3. Add beef broth, water, Liquid Smoke, salt and remaining spices to pot. Stir to deglaze the pan then reduce heat to low.
4. Add ribs to broth, cover pot then cook over low heat for 2-3 hours or until very tender. DO NOT let the broth come to a full boil.
5. Remove ribs from broth then cool. Keep pot covered.
6. Shred rib meat into small pieces, discarding fatty bits and bones if applicable.
7. Taste broth for seasoning then add more if desired. Bring broth to a boil.
8. Once boiling, add rice and rib meat.
9. Bring to a gentle boil then cover, reduce heat to low or medium-low (wherever your dial gives you a gentle simmer) then cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
10. Stir rice once or twice with a fork to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pan but don’t overwork the rice. Don’t stir the rice or open the lid the last 5 minutes of cooking.
11. Remove from heat then let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

https://www.southyourmouth.com/2021/09/country-style-ribs-rice.html

Images and text © South Your Mouth LLC 2021

country-style, country, ribs, pork, neckbones, neck bones, greasy rice, southern, pork roast, how to, authentic, best, recipe, liquid smoke, perlo

main dishes, supper, dinner, potluck

southern, american

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