Want to grill or smoke ribs that are tender and meaty from edge to edge? The trick isn't only in the sauce; it starts before the ribs even hit the grill. It starts with a uniform and evenly cut rack of ribs. This step is important for achieving mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone tender ribs from one end of the rack to the other. And we're breaking down the easy steps for exactly how to trim spare ribs.

When it comes to the types of ribs on the market, some come right out of the package ready to go, like baby back ribs, and some need a little more attention. But did you know spare ribs are St. Louis style ribs? One just happens to be trimmed neatly for meaty bites and a pretty presentation. That's the only difference between the cut. And with our easy guide, you will have a beautiful rack of ribs so that you can then move on to how to smoke ribs like a pro.

The Cut: What are Spare Ribs

Spare ribs are long ribs from the side of the pig, below the curve of baby back ribs. They have a thick meaty top with rib bones and finish with meat hanging around the bottom breastbone/sternum area. They are not as curved as baby back ribs, filled with rich flavor from fat, and are perfect for slow cooking methods like smoking, grilling, braising, or even oven baking.

Once trimmed properly, spare ribs are called St. Louis ribs. And these are perfect for the 3-2-1 method, hanging in a drum smoker, or traditional smoked ribs. They're great ribs that have a bit more fat than baby backs, but that adds to their delicious flavor. And they are a personal favorite in the Girl Carnivore Meat Labs.

Why should you trim spare ribs?

Do you have to trim your spare ribs? No. But there are a few reasons you should.

• First, it helps with even cooking. Trimming the spare ribs creates an even rectangular shape that will cook better throughout the rack. When left untrimmed, the flap can get overdone while waiting for the first few ribs reach temperature.
• Secondly, it helps with the overall presentation. When left whole, spare ribs go from a long edge to a skinny edge, which from some butchers, can be quite dramatic. When you take the time to trim your spare ribs properly, they will look clean and have an even size for every bone. It also makes slicing the ribs for serving a lot easier.
• And finally, when you remove the membrane, you help the finished texture when you bite into your perfectly cooked ribs.

How to Trim Spare Ribs

How much you need to trim your ribs will greatly depend on the butcher who originally cut them. We have seen clean ribs come from our local grocery stores with minimal trimming needed. And then there are times when we really need to clean things up for our personal preference.

Trimming a full rack of spare ribs is easy, you will need:

• A large cutting board or clean work surface
• Filet knife, a chefs knife also works here, but we find our filet knife to make quick work of trimming ribs
• Butter knife
• Paper towels

Remove the sternum / rib tips

We start by removing the breast bone that hangs below the curve of the ribs. To do that, find where the rib bone ends. You will find a curved piece of meat, the breastbone, attached at the bottom. Sometimes it has a bit of the sternum bone attached.

With the pork ribs facing up, place the blade of your knife beneath the bottom of the rib bones and run it carefully along the curve of the ribs. You may have to do this once or twice to make a clean line at the rib tip section.

Remove the flap

The next step is to remove the flap meat, the odd triangular-shaped piece after the last rib. To do this, simply cut between the last rib and the meat with your sharp knife, along the bone, removing the excess meat.

Remove the skirt

With the bones still facing up, remove any access meat along the edges of the ribs. This is known as the skirt meat and may or may not be present depending on your butcher.

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Take the time now to trim any excess fat hanging off the ribs on either side. Don't remove every ounce of fat, as it adds flavor and moisture, but if there are large pockets hanging to the outside of the meat, you can trim those now. You can use all of these trimmings in soups, make stocks, or cook them for quick snacks.

When done with all of the trimming, your final product will be an even rectangular rack of St. Louis cut ribs.

Remove the membrane

The last step for how to trim spare ribs is the same for any rack of ribs, removing the membrane. This long silver skin runs along the back of the ribs and, when removed, makes for a better bite when finished. Once you learn how to remove the membrane from a slab of ribs, there's no going back.

Start by sliding the tip of a dull butter knife along the bone, under the membrane, and gently wiggling and pulling up. We like to start at from the second longest bone, almost at the edge of the membrane. As you pull up gently, the silver skin will loosen a bit. Using a paper towel for a good grip, grab the membrane and gently pull back. This may come off in one easy pull, but it often takes a few tries to remove the whole membrane. It's a skill where practice will indeed make perfect.

Now that you have a perfectly trimmed rack of ribs, you need to decide the best way to cook them.

FAQs

Do you have to trim spare ribs?

No, you do not have to trim spare ribs. Trimming the slabs of ribs creates the St. Louis style ribs, which cooks more evenly, but you can smoke spare ribs right out of the package.

Do you remove the fat from ribs before cooking?

Fat helps add moisture and flavor to ribs, so you don't want to remove all of it. But you do want to trim any fat that's hanging or is too thick from the meaty side of the ribs.

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Do You have to remove the membrane from the pack?

We get it; peeling off the membrane is frustrating. However, it is a key step to making every bite of your ribs more enjoyable. No, you do not ‘have to' but we find it such an important step, we never skip it.

Learning how to trim spare ribs is an essential skill for any barbecue enthusiast or home cook. Properly trimming the ribs not only improves their appearance but also enhances their flavor and tenderness to help you not overcook them. Remember to remove the membrane, trim excess fat, and shape the rack for even cooking. With practice and attention to detail, you'll soon master the art of trimming spare ribs and be able to enjoy deliciously succulent results every time you fire up your grill or smoker. Grab your knife, and get ready to elevate your rib game!

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Preparing spare ribs for smoking or grilling can be a bit of an art form, and it all starts with the trimming process. Properly trimmed ribs not only look more appealing but also cook more evenly, ensuring a perfect result that fall off the bone.

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REMOVE THE STERNUM / RIB TIPS

• start by removing the breast bone that hangs below the curve of the ribs. To do that, find where the rib bone ends. You will find a curved piece of meat, the breastbone, attached at the bottom. Sometimes it has a bit of the sternum bone attached.

• With the pork ribs facing up, place the blade of your knife beneath the bottom of the rib bones and run it carefully along the curve of the ribs. You may have to do this once or twice to make a clean line at the rib tip section.

REMOVE THE FLAP

• The next step is to remove the flap meat, the odd triangular-shaped piece after the last rib. To do this, simply cut between the last rib and the meat with your sharp knife, along the bone, removing the excess meat.

REMOVE THE SKIRT

• With the bones still facing up, remove any access meat along the edges of the ribs. This is known as the skirt meat and may or may not be present depending on your butcher.

• Take the time now to trim any excess fat hanging off the ribs on either side. Don't remove every ounce of fat, as it adds flavor and moisture, but if there are large pockets hanging to the outside of the meat, you can trim those now.

REMOVE THE MEMBRANE

• Start by sliding the tip of a dull butter knife along the bone, under the membrane, and gently wiggling and pulling up. We like to start at from the second longest bone, almost at the edge of the membrane.

• As you pull up gently, the silver skin will loosen a bit.

• Using a paper towel for a good grip, grab the membrane and gently pull back. This may come off in one easy pull, but it often takes a few tries to remove the whole membrane.

• When done with all of the trimming, your final product will be an even rectangular rack of St. Louis cut ribs.

By: Kita
Title: How to Trim Spare Ribs: Step-By-Step Guide
Sourced From: girlcarnivore.com/how-to-trim-ribs/
Published Date: 9/20/23

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Start an Electric Grill

To start an electric grill, you need to find a reliable supplier who sells quality equipment at affordable prices. First, choose the type of grill that you want. Then, you should consider how much space you have for the grill, where you plan to place it, and whether you want to use gas or electricity. You should also consider whether to choose from charcoal or propane grills.

What is the difference in a grill and a smokehouse?

Grills are open-flame cooking devices that use open flames to heat food. A smoker is a device which uses smoke to cook food.

Grills are used for grilling meats, vegetables and seafood. Smokers are commonly used to smoke meats and cheeses as well as fruits and vegetables.

There are many grills on today's market. There are many different types of grills on the market today. For example, a pellet grill is good for cooking large cuts of meat, while a kettle grill is better for cooking steaks and chicken breasts.

How do you keep a charcoal grill lit.

Light the charcoal first and then place them on the grill. This will keep the charcoal grill lit. A chimney starter is the best way to do this. This device is made up of a tube of metal that has been filled with charcoal and briquettes. Once ignited, it creates hot air which rises through a chimney and ignites the charcoal within the grill.

How to Start A Propane Gas Grill

Propane gas grills are one of the easiest types of grills to use. You simply fill up your propane tank, light the grill, and wait for food to cook. Propane is safe and easy to use.

You can also buy propane tanks at Home Depot and Lowes. They come in sizes that range from 20 gallons to 60.

Statistics

• That's why America's Original Butcher can give a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and the grocery store can't. (omahasteaks.com)
• According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2011 and 2016, US fire departments responded to an average of 9,600 home fires started by yearly grills. (cnet.com)

External Links

epicurious.com

• Epicurious
  

foodnetwork.com

• Grilled Vegetables
  
• Recipe for Grilled Beef Fajitas
  

youtube.com

• YouTube
  

How To

Five Common Mistakes When Grilling Over Charcoal

You should avoid making mistakes when grilling with charcoal. These are five rookie errors to avoid when grilling with charcoal.

1) Don’t use too much coal.

Grilling is a very simple way to cause food to burn. You must ensure that you have the correct amount of charcoal in your grill to cook the food. The fire could go out faster if you add too much charcoal. You won't be able to get heat from the fire. This will mean that your food may lose its flavor.

2) Keep the lid tightly closed.

The smoke that gives your food its distinct flavor can be lost if the lid is left open. The lid should be closed so that the smoke remains inside the grill. But, you should not cover the entire grill. Instead, only cover half of the grill to keep it visible.

3) Don't forget to turn off the gas.

It is important to remember to shut off natural gas before closing the lid. Otherwise, you will end up having a lot of carbon monoxide poisoning. Grilling is one of most common causes for death.

4) Don’t leave the grill unattended

It is important to always look after the grill while you are using it. For any problems, be sure to have someone with you. Keep the lid tightly closed while you're away.

5) Never use lighter fluid.

The fluid that is lighter than the recommended one is extremely flammable. Therefore, you should never use lighter fluid when grilling. Instead, use water in a spray bottle. This will enable you to easily extinguish any flames.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://amazinghamburger.com/grilling-tips/delectable-labor-day-recipes-to-bid-farewell-to-summer/

It’s hard to believe, but the final salute to summer—Labor Day—is almost here. This tribute to the country’s workforce is one of America’s most popular grilling holidays, luring more than half of us to our back yards, patios, public parks, etc. You could fall back on tried-and-true recipes that have formed the core of your warm weather menus, but why not surprise family and friends with something new? See our delectable nominations of Labor Day Recipes below.

Labor Day Recipes

Head over to the BBQ500 club on Facebook. We have an amazing community!

Also, sign up for our Up in Smoke newsletter so you don’t miss any blogs and receive some special offers! PLUS get Raichlen’s Burgers! PDF for free!

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The post Delectable Labor Day Recipes to Bid Farewell to Summer appeared first on Barbecuebible.com.

By: Daniel Hale
Title: Delectable Labor Day Recipes to Bid Farewell to Summer
Sourced From: barbecuebible.com/2023/08/29/delectable-labor-day-recipes-to-bid-farewell-to-summer/
Published Date: 8/29/23

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Start an Electric Grill

It is important to find a trusted supplier that sells high-quality equipment at affordable prices before you start an electric barbecue. The first thing you need to do is decide on the grill type that you want. The next step is to decide what type of grill you want. Finally, you should choose between charcoal and propane grills.

How do you start a Propane or Gas Grill

Propane gas grills are one of the easiest types of grills to use. You simply fill up your propane tank, light the grill, and wait for food to cook. When cooking with propane, you don't need to worry about oil splatters, grease buildup, or flare-ups.

You can also buy propane tanks at Home Depot and Lowes. These tanks come in sizes from 20 to 60 gallons.

How do you clean a charcoal charcoal grill?

To clean your grill, remove any burnt food debris and wash it out thoroughly with water. To ensure that your grill is at least halfway heated before you start using it, be sure to pre-heat it. Grease that has built up can be removed with a spatula. Use a damp cloth or sponge to clean the grates.

A piece of wire mesh can be used to scrub the grates. After cleaning, rinse off the grate.

How to Keep a Charcoal Grill lit?

First, light the charcoal and then place the coals into the charcoal grill. The best way to do it is with a chimney opener. This device is made up of a tube of metal that has been filled with charcoal and briquettes. Once ignited, it creates hot air which rises through a chimney and ignites the charcoal within the grill.

Statistics

• That's why America's Original Butcher can give a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and the grocery store can't. (omahasteaks.com)
• According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2011 and 2016, US fire departments responded to an average of 9,600 home fires started by yearly grills. (cnet.com)

External Links

amazon.com

• Amazon.com : Weber Chimney Starter : Charcoal Starters : Patio, Lawn & Garden
  

foodnetwork.com

• Grilled Vegetables
  
• Recipe for Grilled Beef Fajitas
  

youtube.com

• YouTube
  

How To

Grilled chicken tips

Grill chicken breasts whole. Cooking chicken breasts longer takes if they are thicker.

To avoid burning the outside of the chicken, use a barbecue mitt to hold the chicken while you flip it.

Before grilling, take off the skin to make sure your chicken is tender and juicy.

When grilling chicken, coat both sides with vegetable oil and season each piece with salt & black pepper.

Place the chicken on the grill and close cover. Turn the chicken twice within the first fifteen minutes of grilling.

After 15 minutes, check your chicken. If the chicken looks well done, you can continue to grill it. Otherwise, you can transfer it to indirect heat.

Turn the chicken about every 10 minutes. Continue grilling until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a knife.

Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve immediately.

Morning All:

I was able to get a 15.3# pork belly earlier this week…my initial plans were to use some of it (5 to 6 pounds) for pork belly burnt ends for a party next weekend, but didn't have any specific plans for the rest of it…I did some searching & found this recipe on the Dizzy Pig site (Succulent Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Crackling… Succulent Roasted Pork Belly with Crispy Crackling – Dizzy Pig Craft Seasonings (dizzypigbbq.com) …so decided to give it a try…I cut a piece of about 3.5# to use…I pretty much followed the recipe to the letter…after poking the holes in the skin it sat overnight in the fridge with DP Peking rub on the meat side…today before putting it on the Egg (indirect at 350) I added some 5-spice powder…

Next was the salt layer on the skin side & onto the Egg…

After about 80 minutes & internal temps between 160 to 165 I pulled it off & removed the salt plus poked more holes in the skin…ready to go back on at the higher dome temp (420)…

It took about another 45 minutes for the skin to look "done"…just off the Egg…

Added some rice & pickled cucumbers for the sides…my plate…

The skin was VERY crispy, but I probably could have rendered a bit more fat, though it was DELICIOUS.

I also will use one section of the belly for porchetta soon & really looking forward to that.

By: SSN686
Title: Dizzy Pig pork belly recipe…
Sourced From: eggheadforum.com/discussion/1232291/dizzy-pig-pork-belly-recipe
Published Date: 8/26/23

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Start an Electric Grill

It is important to find a trusted supplier that sells high-quality equipment at affordable prices before you start an electric barbecue. The first step is to decide what kind of grill you want to purchase. Next, think about how much space you have, where you intend to place it and whether you will use gas or electrical. You should also consider whether to choose from charcoal or propane grills.

How to Keep a Charcoal Grill lit?

A charcoal grill needs to be lit first. Then, place the coals in the grill. This is easiest to do with a chimney starter. This device is made from a metal tube containing charcoal briquettes. The hot air created by the ignition of the briquettes ignites the charcoal inside the fireplace.

What's the difference between a smoker and a grill?

Grills use open flames to cook food. A smoker is a device that uses smoke to cook food.

Grills can be used to grill meats, vegetables, fish and seafood as well as poultry and breads. Smokers are used to smoke meats, cheeses and fruits.

There are many types of grills available today. Some are better suited for certain types of foods than others. A pellet grill is suitable for large cuts of beef, while a kettle barbecue is more suitable to grill steaks and breasts.

How to set up and ignite a charcoal grill

There are two types of charcoal grills: the electric and the charcoal. While electric grills are easier than charcoal grills to operate, they produce less heat. Electric grills are also less expensive than charcoal grills.

To light a charcoal grill, first place coals on the bottom half of your grill. Next, add wood chips and chunks to the firebox. When the coals have reached a certain temperature, use tongs to spread them evenly over the grill. Remove the lid once the coals begin burning down. Wait until the entire grill is completely extinguished.

Statistics

• According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2011 and 2016, US fire departments responded to an average of 9,600 home fires started by yearly grills. (cnet.com)
• That's why America's Original Butcher can give a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and the grocery store can't. (omahasteaks.com)

External Links

bonappetit.com

• Here's a quick explanation of how to use the vents and lids on your grill.
  
• Grilled Garlic-and-Black-Pepper Shrimp Recipe | Bon Appetit
  

youtube.com

• YouTube
  

cnet.com

• CNET – The best German sausages available online for Oktoberfest
  
• The Best Grilling Gadgets & Tools for BBQ in 2022 – NET
  

How To

Find the best outdoor barbecue methods and recipes for Pellet Grills.

I bet you're thinking: “Hey I couldn't cook anything outdoors!”

But, don't be discouraged!

You can grill outside food in many different ways, such as using a propane grill, charcoal grill, or portable gas grill.

You must have a pellet smoker if you want to be able to barbecue outdoors in the most delicious way. A pellet smoker, which uses pellets to fuel its grill, is an alternative to traditional wood chips. Pellets are made from compressed sawdust and other organic materials. Pellets are perfect for smoking meats as they have a uniform temperature.

There are two main types of pellet smokers: the electric and the manual. Pellet smokers that are electric do not require physical effort to operate. However, they can be costly and noisy. Manual pellet smokers can be quiet and inexpensive. They do require some effort to operate.

A pellet smoker is essential if you want to master outdoor cooking techniques. Here's why.

The first is that pellet smokers are very versatile. You can smoke virtually any meat, seafood or vegetable, as well as fruits and desserts.

A second benefit is that pellet smokers don't cause any health problems. Unlike regular barbecues, pellet smokers don't produce harmful fumes. So you can safely eat foods cooked inside a pellet smoker.

Third, pellet smokers are environmentally friendly. Pellet smokers emit fewer pollutants because they use natural ingredients such sawdust.

Fourth, pellet smokers are economical. A pellet smoker will cost you far less than a regular barbecue. Because pellet smokers do not use charcoal briquettes, they are much more affordable than regular barbecues.

Fifth, pellet smoking is easy to clean. Since pellet smokers use natural materials, they are easy to maintain. Pellet smokers are as easy to clean as regular barbecues.

Sixth, pellet smoking provides excellent heat control. A pellet smoker makes it easy to regulate the temperature within your cooker. This allows you to cook food quickly and evenly.

Finally, pellet smokers are durable. Many pellet smokers can last for many years. When properly maintained, pellet smokers can withstand extreme temperatures as well as heavy usage.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://amazinghamburger.com/grilling-tips/maple-planked-alaskan-king-salmon/