How to Cook Perfect Country Style Pork Ribs on a Traeger Grill

Country style pork ribs are a delicious and affordable cut of meat that are ideal for cooking low and slow on the Traeger grill. With the right technique, you can make fall-off-the-bone tender and smoky country style ribs at home. In this guide, I’ll walk you through my foolproof process for smoking country style ribs on the Traeger, from prep to serving.

What Are Country Style Pork Ribs?

Country style ribs come from the blade end of the pork loin near the shoulder and contain both loin and shoulder meat. This gives them a great balance of lean and fatty pork in each bite.

Unlike spare ribs or baby back ribs, country style ribs do not contain any bones. They are essentially boneless pork chops that have been sliced into rib shapes. This makes them both easy to eat and budget-friendly.

Benefits of Cooking Ribs on a Traeger Grill

Smoking country style ribs on a Traeger pellet grill offers several advantages

• Low and slow cooking – The Traeger allows you to precisely control a low temperature smoke for hours which breaks down collagen and fats for tender juicy meat.

• Infusion of smoke flavor – Real hardwood Traeger pellets impart a deliciously smoky flavor you can’t achieve on a regular grill or oven

• Convenience – Traegers are simple to use. Just load the pellets, set the temp, and let the grill do the work. No babysitting required.

• Moistness – The Traeger seals in moisture so ribs come out tender and juicy, not dried out.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow my simple steps for amazing country style ribs every time on your Traeger grill:

Ingredients

• 2 lbs country style pork ribs
• 1⁄4 cup barbecue rub
• 1⁄2 cup apple juice or apple cider
• 1⁄2 cup barbecue sauce
• Butter or olive oil

Instructions

1. Trim the ribs – Use a sharp knife to trim off any excess fat or sinew from the ribs. Leaving some fat is fine for flavor and moisture.

2. Apply rub – Generously season both sides of the ribs with your favorite barbecue rub.

3. Preheat Traeger – Ignite grill and preheat to 225°F usingTraeger Apple pellets for a light fruity smoke flavor.

4. Smoke the ribs – Place ribs directly on grill grates, meaty side up. Insert a probe thermometer into thickest part of ribs if desired.

5. Cook for 2-3 hours – Smoke ribs at 225°F until internal temp reaches 165°F, about 2-3 hours. Spritz with apple juice every 45 minutes.

6. Wrap ribs in foil – Remove ribs from grill and wrap tightly in foil with 1 tbsp butter and 1⁄4 cup apple juice.

7. Finish cooking – Return foil-wrapped ribs to Traeger at 250°F until internal temp reaches 200°F, about 1-2 more hours.

8. Glaze with barbecue sauce – Unwrap ribs and brush with barbecue sauce. Return to grill unwrapped for 15 minutes.

9. Rest and serve – Allow ribs to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing into portions. Enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Smoked Country Style Ribs

• Choose meaty, well-marbled ribs for the best flavor and tenderness.

• Apply rub generously and let it sit on the ribs in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.

• Use a rib rack on the Traeger to maximize grilling space if cooking multiple slabs.

• Spritz ribs every 45 minutes with apple juice or cider to keep them moist.

• Wrap ribs at 165°F internal temp stall to power through and tenderize.

• Glaze ribs with sauce at very end to avoid burning.

• Let ribs rest before cutting so juices can redistribute.

• Slice ribs between bones into individual portions for easy serving.

• Enjoy ribs fresh or freeze leftovers for quick meals later. Reheat gently in the oven.

Make Them Your Own

The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasoning and saucing country style ribs. Mix up your own signature spice rub or use store-bought. Brush with your favorite barbecue sauce or try something new like a tangy mustard sauce.

Serve smoked country style ribs on their own or pair them with classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or mac and cheese. Leftover ribs also make amazing sandwiches.

With the right prep and Traeger smoking technique, you can achieve competition-worthy country style ribs easily at home. Just remember to cook low and slow, spritz while smoking, and glaze at the end. Enjoy your new go-to for juicy, smoky ribs!