Cutting ribs for cooking depends on the type of ribs (spare ribs, baby back ribs) and your desired final cut. Here's a breakdown of common methods:
Cutting Whole Racks into Individual Ribs
This method is ideal for serving individual portions or for achieving even cooking of each rib.
- Locate the Bone Ends: Identify where each rib bone ends. This naturally separates each rib.
- Make Straight Cuts: Using a sharp knife, make straight cuts along the bone lines. Keep the knife perpendicular to the bones for clean separation. The video "skip the butcher & trim your own whole rack of ribs... | howtobbqright shorts" demonstrates this method.
Trimming Ribs to a St. Louis Style Cut
This popular method removes excess fat and cartilage, creating a more consistent cooking surface.
- Remove Membrane: First, remove the membrane (silvery skin) from the back of the ribs.
- Trim Excess Fat: Cut away excess fat along the edges.
- Find Soft Spots: Locate the soft cartilage spots where the ribs connect to the sternum.
- Cut Perpendicularly: Insert the knife into the soft spots and slice perpendicular to the ribs, cutting through all soft spots. Refer to "How to Trim Pork Spareribs Into a St. Louis-Style Cut" for detailed instructions.
Cutting Cooked Ribs for Serving
Once cooked, ribs can be cut into smaller pieces for easier handling and serving.
- Cutting Method 1 (for tender ribs): If the ribs are tender and easily separate from the bone, you can simply cut between the bones with a sharp knife.
- Cutting Method 2 (for ribs that stick to the bone): Lay the ribs flat with the bones towards the cutting board, then cut between the ribs. This method is suggested in "How do I cut and serve my ribs?".
Pre-Slicing Ribs Before Smoking
Some prefer to pre-slice ribs before smoking for faster cooking and easier serving. This method is described in "Pre-slicing Ribs Before Smoking Them".
Remember to always use a sharp knife for clean cuts and ensure safety while working with sharp tools. Different cuts cater to different preferences, cooking methods and presentation styles.
