Fitness / June 1, 2023

Juicy Boneless Pork Ribs

Skip the bone and focus on the juices of these delicious juicy boneless pork ribs — tender, seasoned to perfection, and ready in no time.

Table of Contents

I have a bone to pick with pork ribs!

Actually, I don’t, which is why I love this recipe. No bones! But do you know what these ribs DO contain? Juice. And flavor. It’s also healthy because we bake them. There’s a lot to love about this one.

While I like making these ribs as the entrée for my family’s dinners, I also like stocking up and doing them all at once for when I’m expecting a lot of guests. They’re easy to scale so you don’t have to worry about doing all that math with fractions in the meats section of your local store. They can double as finger foods, which make them versatile and a good one to keep on hand.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

They are delicious, juicy, and tender. This is what meat is supposed to be like!
There are no bones — all killer, no filler.
They just need a few ingredients for baking in the oven.
They make for a quick meal — perfect for those nights when you’re short on time.
You can use the leftovers for lunch the next day as a stir-fry or filling for a sandwich.

Are Boneless Pork Ribs Healthy?

Boneless pork ribs provide protein, essential vitamins (such as B vitamins), and iron and zinc; however, they contain saturated fat so you should consume them in moderation. You can also trim the fat off the ribs, though that may compromise the taste. While I have included BBQ sauce in the list of ingredients, note that it is optional, so you can sidestep the sugar most sauces contain. And if you’re going to enjoy these ribs, you should enjoy them as they were intended. You can take comfort knowing that, by baking these ribs, you are preparing them in a healthy way when compared to grilling or frying.

INGREDIENTS

Most of these ingredients compose the rub you will use for the ribs.

1/2 lb boneless pork ribs
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika powder
1 sprig of rosemary, chopped
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp of sea salt
BBQ sauce (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, smoked paprika powder, chopped rosemary, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper.

Rub

Rub the ribs with the spice mix over all sides then place them in a single layer in a casserole dish.

Add

Add the olive oil and crushed garlic to the pork ribs.

Bake

Place the casserole dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the pork attains an internal temperature of 145°F.

Rest

Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving with the BBQ sauce. Enjoy!

Variations

Use other spices for the marinade and experiment with herbs as well. Instead of garlic and paprika powder, you can use dried oregano and onion powder. If you want your ribs to be a bit spicy, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on them. Another idea is to marinate the ribs in a mixture of soy sauce and chopped ginger, which will present you with a completely different aroma!

Serving Suggestions

Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes: Because these are made in a Crock Pot, they won’t demand too much of your time. Plus, the inside of the potato will melt in your mouth — just like the ribs!

Kale Salad with Cranberries: A healthy option with greens (and reds). This salad is big in taste and nutrition.

Apple Coleslaw: Light and crisp, tangy and sweet, this coleslaw is a step above the slaws you might know.

FAQs

When are boneless pork ribs done cooking?

Pork ribs are safe to eat when the meat thermometer shows an internal temperature of 145°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can slice one rib in half and see the color of the meat. If it’s pink, it needs to spend more time in the oven.

Can I use beef ribs instead of pork?

Of course, if you prefer to eat beef instead of pork you can easily substitute the ribs. Beef ribs have a higher meat-to-bone ratio, which makes them very juicy and tender after baking.

Should I cover the ribs while cooking in the oven?

In this recipe, we keep it simple, so you won’t have to cover them with foil or anything else. They will turn out tender and juicy without covering them, and will get extra crispy! If you choose to cover or wrap your ribs, remember to remove the foil/ cover the last 10 minutes of cooking to give them a nice brown color.

How to Store Boneless Pork Ribs

Let the ribs cool completely, then wrap in aluminum or place in an airtight container. Or both! You can keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, let the ribs thaw completely in the fridge overnight first. Then warm in the oven at a low temperature (I set it to 300°F).