If you did a Carey Grant-inspired double take when you first heard the term boneless pork ribs you are not alone. After all ribs are bones, aren’t they? To conceive the idea of boneless pork ribs (or any other boneless rib for that matter) is to engage in an oxymoron of the highest order, right? Well, maybe not.

Boneless pork ribs, as odd as they sound, are real. They consist of a boneless pork loin which has been cut into three lengthwise boneless pork ribs sections. Boneless pork ribs can also consist of meat which has been stripped from the bone and pressed into shapes suggestive of boneless pork ribs. This version of boneless pork ribs has become popular for sandwiches and been adapted by at least two national restaurant chains. Both the Applebee’s “Riblet” and the McDonald’s “McRib” consist of this version of boneless pork ribs.

Boneless pork ribs for sandwiches are, in fact, quite popular. They’re not the only way to enjoy boneless pork ribs, however. Many barbeque restaurant chains are specializing in what they call “pulled pork” which is essentially a dish of boneless pork ribs meat – boneless because it has literally been pulled from the bone before being served.

The pulled pork version of the boneless pork rib is most often served with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, or green beans. Sometimes it is found alongside traditional barbeque sides like cole slaw and baked beans.

To serve boneless pork ribs at home, you’ll want to visit your butcher shop or grocery store to pick up some boneless pork loin – this is the best and easiest way to make boneless pork ribs at home. If you want to make “pulled pork” style boneless pork ribs you may do so as well, but you’ll want to find a way to prepare them that has the meat literally falling off the bone – a slow cooker may be a good choice – to help make the “pulling” process a bit easier. If you want to grill boneless pork ribs outdoors on the barbeque, you’ll definitely want to choose the boneless pork loin method of boneless pork rib creation.