In order to supplement Granddaddy’s modest wage that he earned at the Cotton Mill in Geneva, Alabama, Granny sewed for the public and babysat. For years, she sewed on her mother’s hand-me-down peddle sewing machine. She was jubilant when the time came that she could finally afford an electric sewing machine.
“This will sho’ make quick work out of a-sewing a dress”, she declared.
It seemed like she had as much sewing work as she wanted. She would always make sure to carve out enough time to sew for my sisters and I, thank Heavens. Our wardrobes were primarily composed of hand-me-downs and the clothes Granny made for us. For as long as my mother could get away with it, she had Granny make us matching Easter dresses. I’m unsure what caused that trend to stop. Maybe my mother realized we really were getting to old to dress alike. Maybe one of us revolted.
She babysat off and on for people in the town who needed child care so they could work. I recall when she babysat for my Aunt Dottie who was on the other side of the family. Granny was my mother’s mother and this aunt married one of my father’s brothers. But, typical of a small town, there are so many connections and everybody winds up being family in some way. I long for that feeling of connection. God bless small towns everywhere.
Dottie did shift work at the shirt factory and had a baby. Granny often talked about cooking ribs for them when she was at their home watching the baby. That was a happy time for Granny. She loved cooking for people and she dearly loved babies. She told about cooking country-style ribs and how she would put them on to cook as soon as she got to work. They would cook on a low heat for half a day. She cooked them in BBQ sauce which served as a braising liquid. According to her, the ribs fell apart as they were removed from the pan. Good, tender, tasty, meaty ribs. There’s nothing better.
Each time she told the story, she would interject that when Dottie came home for dinner (lunch) from the shirt factory, the ribs were “good and ready”. And each time she told the story, she would say,
“Dottie would go to a-eatin’ them ribs and say, ‘Oh, Miss Phillips! These is the best ribs I ever put in my mouth!'”
I cook oven BBQ ribs a good bit and think of Granny each time I do. I changed her method a little over the years, but the principal is the same. And, each time I feed these ribs to people, they go on and on about how good they are. And, just like Granny, I like to tell that part of the story, too.
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Oven Roasted BBQ Country-style Ribs
yield: 6 to 8 servings
Country-style ribs are a meaty cut and are usually sold boneless. Cooking the ribs for a long time on low heat allows the fat to melt and baste the ribs which keeps them moist and tender. Placing them under the broiler for the last few minutes bakes on the sauce.
6 pounds pork shoulder country-style ribs (boneless)
2 tablespoons 4-1-1 seasoning
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups BBQ sauce, homemade or commercially prepared, divided
Arrange ribs in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.
Mix seasoning and brown sugar in a small bowl. Rub on all sides of ribs. Let ribs come to room temperature about one hour.
Roast uncovered at 250 degrees for 3 hours.
Remove pan and drain juice. Brush 1 cup of BBQ on all sides of ribs. Return to oven,uncovered, (250 degrees) for one hour.
Remove ribs from oven and turn the oven on broil. Brush 1/2 the remaining sauce on one side of the ribs. Place the ribs under the broiler until the sauce is baked on and starts to slightly caramelize , about 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove pan from oven. Flip the ribs over and repeat.
Oven BBQ Country-style Ribs
Ingredients
- 6 pounds pork shoulder country-style ribs boneless
- 2 tablespoons 4-1-1 seasoning
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cups BBQ sauce homemade or commercially prepared, divided
Instructions
- Arrange ribs in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.
- Mix seasoning and brown sugar in a small bowl. Rub on all sides of ribs. Let ribs come to room temperature about one hour.
- Roast uncovered at 250 degrees for 3 hours.
- Remove pan and drain juice. Brush 1 cup of BBQ on all sides of ribs. Return to oven,uncovered, (250 degrees) for one hour.
- Remove ribs from oven and turn the oven on broil. Brush 1/2 the remaining sauce of one side of the ribs. Place the ribs under the broiler until the sauce is baked on and starts to slightly caramelize , about 5 minutes.
- Remove pan from oven. Flip the ribs over and repeat.
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Amy says
Was so excited to make this, I sent my husband to the store and he bought bone-in. Any idea if I would need to modify the cooking time or process?
Jackie Garvin says
Amy,
Bone-in will be just fine. The cook time doesn’t need adjustment. Enjoy!
Sandy says
This is the best recipe! I have never before mastered tender and tasty ribs – and now with this recipe, they are perfect every time! LOVE!
Jackie Garvin says
Hi Sandy,
I’m so happy to know this recipe suits you. Thank you for letting us be part of a great meal. ❤️
Alan Lay says
I was looking for a recipe for ribs in the oven and then finishing them on the grill and ran across your information and was quite surprised to read “Geneva, Alabama”. My dad was born just outside of Coffee Springs in Geneva county and I went to the 5th grade in Geneva. Looking forward to trying your recipe. Thanks.
Jackie Garvin says
It’s a small world! I’m always happy to hear from folks back home. ❤️
Wendy Hampton says
I have always wanted an easy recipe for country style ribs came across this awhile back on Pinterest. So easy to prepare and I can change the flavor by changing the sauce. I have used green chili sauce on occasion and several different BBQ sauces. Even my picky husband loved that! My brand new double oven is going in today and the first thing I’m going to make are these ribs. I pass along your website quite frequently to friends and family because your recipes can’t be beat. I love your stories as well! Thanks again!
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you, Wendy!