Pork, fresh, loin, country-style ribs, separable lean and fat, raw
Whole food · Pork Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Country-style ribs are cut from the blade end of the pork loin near the shoulder, featuring a generous marbling of lean meat and fat that delivers a rich, beefy flavor and tender, succulent texture when cooked low and slow. With 189 calories and nearly 20g of protein per 100g, they offer a hearty, satisfying meal that balances savory depth with a substantial protein boost. Their high fat content makes them ideal for braising, grilling, or smoking, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that's a staple in comfort food traditions.
Calorie split: 42% protein · 0% carbs · 58% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love country-style ribs for their deep, savory flavor and tender texture, which make them a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for barbecues, family dinners, and comfort food meals. Their ability to absorb marinades and sauces, combined with a satisfying meatiness, makes them a favorite for grilling, braising, or smoking across many culinary traditions.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat content can be a concern for those monitoring saturated fat intake or managing cholesterol, and the calorie density may not suit low-fat diets. To counteract this, opt for trimming excess fat before cooking, using leaner cooking methods like grilling or roasting with minimal added fats, and pairing with fiber-rich vegetables or salads to balance the meal and enhance satiety.
Key benefits
- High-quality protein for muscle maintenance and satiety
- Rich in B vitamins like thiamine and niacin for energy metabolism
- Contains zinc and selenium for immune support
- Provides iron and phosphorus for bone and blood health
- Versatile cut suitable for various cooking methods
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Country-style ribs are not actually ribs from the rib cage but are cut from the shoulder area, making them meatier and less bony than traditional ribs, which is why they're often called 'country-style' to distinguish them from standard rib cuts.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 68.2 g |
| Energy | 189 kcal |
| Energy | 792 kj |
| Protein | 19.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.8 g |
| Ash | 0.95 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 22.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.85 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 21.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 193 mg |
| Potassium, K | 318 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 63.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.8 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 32.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.38 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.25 mg |
| Niacin | 3.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.54 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 81.4 mg |
| Betaine | 4.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 2.0 ug |
| Retinol | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 8.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.23 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 29.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.70 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.70 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.79 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.14 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.97 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.89 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.86 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.07 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.04 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.04 g |
| TFA 18:2 t,t | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 74.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.20 g |
| Threonine | 0.87 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.95 g |
| Leucine | 1.6 g |
| Lysine | 1.8 g |
| Methionine | 0.53 g |
| Cystine | 0.22 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.81 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.74 g |
| Valine | 1.0 g |
| Arginine | 1.3 g |
| Histidine | 0.84 g |
| Alanine | 1.1 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.87 g |
| Proline | 0.78 g |
| Serine | 0.84 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.05 g |
FAQ
What are country-style ribs made of?
Country-style ribs are cut from the blade end of the pork loin near the shoulder, consisting of a mix of lean meat and fat, making them meatier and more tender than traditional ribs.
How should I cook country-style ribs for the best flavor?
For optimal tenderness and flavor, cook country-style ribs low and slow using methods like braising, smoking, or slow-cooking. Marinating or using a dry rub beforehand can enhance their savory taste.
Are country-style ribs high in calories?
Yes, they are relatively calorie-dense at 189 kcal per 100g due to their fat content, but they also provide a good amount of protein (19.34g per 100g), making them a filling option when consumed in moderation.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.89 kcal/g · 41% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.20 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.