This recipe is something I made up one day when I didn’t want to use BBQ sauce on my ribs. So give it a try the next time you grill pork ribs if you want to try something new. Youll be glad you did! This recipe gives ribs an incredible flavor that you just need to try. Use it on any pork you wish to BBQ. Pork steaks, baby back ribs, spare ribs, short ribs country-style ribs, or St Louis-style ribs. All of my family and friends that have tried this recipe, ask for it every time I BBQ. Enjoy! And as always, Bon Appetite!.
With a little sweetness and a bit of tang, you cant go wrong with these pork ribs. The marinade infuses the meat with tons of flavor. Cooking the ribs on indirect heat makes the meat extremely tender. Its the fall of the bone goodness youre looking for in ribs. — The Test Kitchen.
Marinating pork ribs in apple cider vinegar is a great way to infuse them with tangy bright flavor. But exactly how long should you marinate for ideal results? Follow this guide for tips on the perfect marinating time to achieve tender flavorful ribs.
Overview of Marinating Pork Ribs in Apple Cider Vinegar
Marinating pork ribs in an apple cider vinegar mixture helps break down the meat fibers, making the ribs incredibly tender and juicy. The acidity in the vinegar also gives the ribs a delicious sweet-tart flavor.
While marinating time can vary based on personal taste, the ideal time to marinate pork ribs in apple cider vinegar is generally 4-6 hours This allows the vinegar to penetrate the meat fully without over-tenderizing.
Below, we’ll discuss marinating times in detail, plus tips for maximizing flavor.
Why Marinate Pork Ribs in Apple Cider Vinegar?
Before jumping into exact marinating times, let’s look at why apple cider vinegar is so effective for marinating pork ribs:
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Tenderizes the Meat: The acetic acid in the vinegar helps break down tough connective tissues. This results in ribs that are incredibly tender.
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Infuses Flavor: Vinegar marinades impart brightness and tanginess to the pork. Apple cider vinegar lends a fruity, cider-like flavor.
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Retains Moisture Marinating seals in moisture, so the ribs stay juicy when cooked. The vinegar helps lock in the pork’s natural juices.
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Prevents Drying Out: Vinegar marinades allow ribs to cook up moist and tender, not dry or tough.
So marinating in an apple cider vinegar mixture gives pork ribs both great texture and flavor. Now let’s look at ideal marinating times.
Recommended Marinating Time for Pork Ribs
For most recipes, the ideal marinating time is 4-6 hours. This gives the vinegar enough time to penetrate and tenderize the meat fully.
Here are some marinating time guidelines based on different scenarios:
- Boneless country-style ribs – 3-4 hours
- Meaty spare ribs or loin back ribs – 4-6 hours
- Whole slab spare ribs – 6-8 hours
- Marinating overnight – 10-12 hours max
The exact time can vary based on the size and thickness of the ribs. Go for a shorter time for quick marinating or country-style ribs. Allow more time for meatier cuts or whole slabs.
Marinating Overnight
Many recipes call for marinating pork ribs overnight, or 12-24 hours. While an extended marinating time can intensify flavor, take care not to overdo it.
Marinating longer than 12 hours risks over-tenderizing the meat, causing it to become mushy. For best results, 10-12 hours is sufficient for an overnight marinade.
If marinating a full 24 hours, reduce the vinegar to 2 parts vinegar for every 3 parts water. This prevents the acidity from breaking down the meat too much.
Tips for Maximum Flavor
To unlock the most flavor and tenderness from your pork ribs, follow these tips:
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Use Raw Ribs: Marinating already-cooked ribs won’t be as effective at penetration. Always marinate raw, uncooked ribs.
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Remove Membrane: Peel off the tough membrane from the bone side of the ribs for better absorption.
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Use Zipper Bags: Seal ribs in zipper bags to maximize coverage. This forces the marinade into every nook and cranny.
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Turn Occasionally: Flip bagged ribs periodically while marinating for even exposure.
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Refrigerate: Keep ribs chilled at 40°F or below while marinating for food safety.
With the right marinating time and techniques, you’ll achieve wonderfully tender, tangy ribs every time.
Sample Apple Cider Vinegar Pork Rib Marinade
This straightforward marinade combines apple cider vinegar with warm spices and herbs for incredible flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1⁄2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
Directions:
- Whisk all ingredients together until sugar and salt dissolve.
- Place 3-4 lbs of pork ribs in a baking dish and cover with marinade.
- Seal and refrigerate 4-6 hours, flipping ribs occasionally.
- Grill or bake ribs to desired doneness, basting with marinade.
The possibilities are endless when marinating pork ribs in apple cider vinegar mixtures. Adjust ingredients to suit your taste, and let the vinegar work its magic for tender, flavorful ribs!
Ingredients For david’s bbq pork ribs
- 6–14 Baby back pork ribs, country style ribs, St. Louis style ribs, spare ribs or even pork steaks .
- 1 c apple cider vinegar
- 1 c balsamic vinegar
- 3 oz Worcestershire sauce
- 6-8 dash liquid smoke flavoring
- 2 c brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 Tbsp each salt and pepper
- 6 clove garlic, chopped fine
How To Make david’s bbq pork ribs Test Kitchen Tips We like our ribs with charred edges, so we placed them over the fire at the end.
- 1 Wash rib racks in cold water and dry. Then remove the film on the inside of the rack.
- 2. Put apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, brown sugar, and spices in a bowl. Mix well until most of the brown sugar is gone, then set it aside. Cut the rack into sections of 3-4 ribs each. Usually 1/4 of the rack each. Put the ribs in a one-gallon Ziploc bag and pour the marinade mix into the bag. Take out as much air as you can and zip the bag up. Move the ribs around in the bag so that the marinade covers them all. You should have 4 pretty equal sections of ribs. They can be put in places where the bag can lie flat on the counter. Leave out, do not refrigerate. Every 15 minutes, turn the bag over and rub the marinade into the meat. The ribs and marinade work best when they are both room temperature. Marinate at least one hour.
- 3. Take the ribs out of the bag and put them on a hot grill that has indirect heat. You want the ribs to slow cook. Because they have brown sugar in them, putting them over the fire will cause bad, hot fires while they cook.
- 4. Brush the marinade on the ribs or dip them several times in the Ziploc bag while they’re cooking. At least once per half hour. It needs to cook for two and a half hours, or until the meat starts to come off the bones.
- 5. Take the ribs off the grill, let them rest, cut them into 1-inch pieces, and serve.
- Last Step: Don’t forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network and watch all of your friends drool. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too! .
Apple Cider Vinegar Smoked Ribs, with Super Sweet BBQ Sauce
FAQ
How long do you soak ribs in apple cider vinegar?
How long to soak meat in apple cider vinegar?
How long should you marinate your ribs?
What is the 3/2:1 rule for ribs?
How long to marinate pork ribs in cider vinegar?
How Long To Marinate Pork Ribs In Apple Cider Vinegar? Sprinkle salt and Essence on both sides of the ribs. Place the ribs in a big rectangular baking dish made of glass. Refrigerate for 24 hours after pouring 3 cups of cider over the ribs and covering them with plastic wrap. Remove the ribs from the fridge and toss out the marinade.
How to cook ribs with apple cider vinegar?
Also, the vinegar helps to pull the spices and seasonings deeper into the meat, which improves the overall flavor of the dish. The process is easy, simply mix apple cider vinegar, water, herbs, and spices in a large plastic bag, add the ribs and refrigerate overnight.
How do you marinate ribs in cider?
Season both sides of the ribs with salt and Essence. Place the ribs in a large glass rectangle-baking dish. Pour 3 cups of the cider over the ribs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Remove ribs from the refrigerator and discard the marinade. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the flesh side of the ribs.
How long do you soak pork ribs in vinegar?
Leave the ribs in the vinegar marinate for 20-30 minutes for optimal results. You can get away with a longer soaking time if you mix the vinegar with water or other substances (see Soaking Ribs in Vinegar and Water, below). When it comes to soaking ribs in vinegar, though, little is more. How long should pork ribs be soaked in apple cider vinegar?