How to Cook Fried Pork Ribs

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photo by rosidae licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

You can transform almost any kind of ribs into a delicious and tender meal by throwing them on the grill or smoker. However, sometimes the winter doesn’t cooperate with this kind of dinner plan. A countertop deep fryer can take care of the cooking and produce an interesting dish you may have never tried before. Deep fried pork ribs are a great finger food for serving at gatherings, especially for football games or other watch parties. Prepare flavorful and juicy fried pork ribs with this recipe.

Pork Ribs vs Beef Ribs

In general, beef ribs have more fat on them than pork ribs. That means they’re flavorful, but they’re also harder to fit into a healthy diet. Lean pork ribs are healthy enough to enjoy on a regular basis rather than as an occasional treat. There is also more meat on most cuts of pork ribs than beef ribs, resulting in a more filling meal for your efforts. The tenderness of pork makes it a good choice for frying rather than grilling or smoking. Finally, pork ribs tend to come at a lower cost than beef ribs as well.

Why Fry Pork Ribs?

With the right handling and cooking temperature, pork ribs turn out tender and flavorful when grilled. However, you might not want to grill out if the weather is cold or rainy. You might be out of propane or charcoal when you have pork ribs in the fridge as well. As long as you have a deep fryer or large Dutch oven and enough oil, you can create these tantalizing ribs in the kitchen without stepping outside. It’s also a relatively quick method for cooking up ribs to serve a crowd that might not appreciate slow cooking and barbecue sauce. Fried ribs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making a big splash when served at a potluck or party.

How it Works

The key is preparing the ribs so they’re ready to fry. You’ll need to peel any silverside or other membranes off the ribs and bring them up to room temperature. You can smoke the ribs before deep frying them, but the simplest method involves braising the ribs in the oven first and then dredging and frying for a crispy finish. If you want to only cook the pork ribs with frying, you’ll need to use a large deep frying and give them about 7 to 10 minutes in the hot oil to cook all the way through.

Types of Pork Ribs and How Well They Fry

All types of pork ribs can be deep fried, but some of them turn out better than others. Spare ribs tend to offer the best experience if you like plenty of fat and flavor. Baby back ribs are great when deep fried or pan fried, but they need a little more space in the oil to fully cook. St. Louis ribs turn out fine when deep fried as well, but the trimming may leave them less flavorful than other types of spare ribs.

Tips and Tricks to the Perfect Fried Pork Ribs

Decide whether you want to use a breading on the outside of the ribs or prefer the crisp texture of uncoated ribs. You can simply apply the seasonings to the surface of the meat instead of the dredging step and follow the rest of the cooking process the same way.

Cut slabs of ribs into individual sections with a bone at the center of each slice. This helps the meat cook evenly and makes the ribs easier to bread and fry.

Consider a wide range of sauces for topping the finished ribs, not just the usual barbecue sauce. Spicy and sweet chili sauce, sticky bourbon-based mixtures, and even various types of gravy all go great with this dish.

Try smoking the ribs first, but only for around 30 minutes or so. This will partially cook the ribs without drying them out too much during the frying stage. Replace the oven braising step with a trip through the grill or smoker to add flavor.

Pork Rib Marinade and Seasoning Variations

Marinating the pork ribs increases the flavor and juiciness even more. If you’re not trying to add any particular flavor, you can soak the ribs for up to 12 hours in a combination of half vinegar, half water, and a sprinkle of Kosher salt. Throw in your favorite aromatic herbs like rosemary, spices like black pepper, and liquids like soy sauce or citrus juice to dress up your rib marinade.

When seasoning the surface of the ribs or the coating you dredge it in, consider a mix of garlic powder, black pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Consider other spices routinely used for fried chicken or chicken fried steak.

Simple Fried Pork Ribs Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 slab of pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
  • 2 cups of broth or water
  • 6 cups of high heat frying oil, such as canola or avocado
  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch or potato starch
  • 2 teaspoons of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon of dried thyme or oregano
  • ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon of baking powder

Instructions

1. Trim any silverside or membranes off of the ribs, then cut them into individual sections. Marinate them overnight or soak the ribs in a mix of vinegar and water for a few hours before cooking. Bring the ribs up to room temperature right before cooking.

2. Place the ribs in a roasting pan and fill it with the water or broth. Cook the ribs for about 20 to 30 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees F, flipping once.

3. Let the ribs dry on a rack or on some paper towels. Heat the oil in the deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Mix the flour and seasonings together with the baking powder and cornstarch. Dredge each rib in the seasoned flour, then fry the ribs a few at a time for 7 to 10 minutes. Keep them warm in the oven and serve immediately with your favorite sauces.

Conclusion

Wow your party guests with a unique take on the usual ribs. You’ll be able to make them inside in the kitchen rather than getting stuck outside tending the grill or smoker.

fried pork ribs ready to eat

Simple Fried Pork Ribs

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Course Main Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 slab pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
  • 2 cups broth or water
  • 6 cups high heat frying oil, such as canola or avocado
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch or potato starch
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

Instructions
 

  • Trim any silverside or membranes off of the ribs, then cut them into individual sections. Marinate them overnight or soak the ribs in a mix of vinegar and water for a few hours before cooking. Bring the ribs up to room temperature right before cooking.
  • Place the ribs in a roasting pan and fill it with the water or broth. Cook the ribs for about 20 to 30 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees F, flipping once.
  • Let the ribs dry on a rack or on some paper towels. Heat the oil in the deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Mix the flour and seasonings together with the baking powder and cornstarch. Dredge each rib in the seasoned flour, then fry the ribs a few at a time for 7 to 10 minutes. Keep them warm in the oven and serve immediately with your favorite sauces.

Notes

*photo by rosidae licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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