These easy riblets are baked right in your oven. They are so delicious, the meat just falls right off the bone!.
If you are looking for a great recipe to serve guests that has great taste, look no further. They are really simple to make, but your guests will only notice how good they taste when they try them! Just make sure you have lots of napkins handy, because they get messy when you eat them.
Pork featherbones, also known as pork riblets, are a flavorful and underrated cut of meat that can make a delicious meal when cooked properly. These small, circular bones near the sirloin are tender and succulent when slow-cooked or grilled Here is a complete guide to preparing and cooking pork featherbones for finger-licking goodness
What are Pork Featherbones?
Pork featherbones are not actually ribs, but are small circular bones towards the rear of the loin near the sirloin. They consist of the last 4-6 vertebrae along the backbone that do not have full ribs attached
The meat on the featherbones is very tender since it is from the loin area It covers the bones and connects them together in small pieces ideal for snacks or appetizers, This makes featherbones perfect for roadhouse-style riblettes,
Since they were often discarded in the past, featherbones are a very inexpensive cut of pork. Their meat has a mild, subtly sweet pork flavor that absorbs spices and sauces well.
Benefits of Cooking Featherbones
There are many advantages to cooking pork featherbones:
- Inexpensive cut makes them budget-friendly
- Tender, juicy meat with great flavor
- Bones add extra flavor when cooked
- Small size perfect for appetizers
- Takes well to slow cooking or grilling
- Absorbs spices and sauces nicely
- Feeds a crowd as a party snack
How to Prepare Featherbones for Cooking
Proper preparation is key to cooking featherbones correctly:
- Trim excess fat from the bones which can cause flare-ups
- Dip each bone in liquid smoke for added flavor
- Season well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, etc.
- For slow cooking, place bones in a large roasting pan after seasoning
- For grilling, oil grates well to prevent sticking
- Handle bones gently since they are small and delicate
Delicious Ways to Cook Pork Featherbones
There are several excellent methods for cooking pork featherbones.
Slow Cooking Method
- After preparing, place bones in large roasting pan
- Brown bones for 1 hour at 400°F, turning once
- Cover pan and slow cook at 250°F for 3-4 hours
- Baste with BBQ sauce last 30 minutes
- Results in fall-off-the-bone tender featherbones
Grilling Method
- Prepare and season bones as desired
- Grill over high heat, flipping once
- Cook until nicely charred on both sides
- Transfer to foil pan, coat with sauce
- Bake at 275°F for 2-3 hours
- Great with homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce
Oven Baking Method
- Arrange prepared bones on sheet pan
- Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes to brown
- Brush bones with BBQ sauce
- Bake at 350°F for 60-90 minutes, basting occasionally with sauce
- Quicker method when time is limited
Serving Suggestions
Pork featherbones make a great addition to:
- Platters, tailgates, potlucks, parties
- Appetizers and finger foods
- Sandwiches and sliders
- Salads and tacos
- Soups, stews, and chili as meat
- Fried rice or stir fry dishes
Get creative with sauces and spice blends! Their petite size makes them perfect for pick up party foods.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Featherbones
Follow these tips for tender, juicy pork featherbones every time:
- Use indirect heat at 250-325°F to allow connective tissue to break down
- Cook low and slow – high heat will cause meat to dry out
- Apply rubs and sauces before and during cooking for flavor
- Baste bones every 30 minutes when roasting or braising
- Use a meat thermometer to test doneness; aim for 145°F
- Allow to rest at least 10 minutes before serving
With the right preparation and cooking technique, pork featherbones offer a budget-friendly way to enjoy deliciously smoky, tender meat. Their versatility allows them to be used in everything from party platters to weeknight dinners.
Can I use a store bought BBQ sauce?
You can store bought but this homemade version is thinner and it thickens up as the riblets bake.
How To Cook Riblets
- Spray cooking spray on foil and line a 9-by-13-inch pan. This will make clean up easier.
- Place riblets in a foil lined 9 x 13 pan.
- Brown the meat in a 450 degree F oven.
- In a bowl, mix the BBQ sauce while the ribs are getting brown.
- Pour sauce over ribs after they are browned. My mom gave me the recipe for this homemade barbecue sauce, and it still works today. There is a lot of sauce, but it is very thin. As the ribs bake, the sauce will get thicker.
- Turn the oven down to 350 degrees after putting the ribs on top of the foil. After that, put them back in the oven and baste them every 30 minutes or so for about 90 to 120 minutes.
- When riblets are done, they should be fall-off-the-bone tender. They should also be nice and glazed and gooey, just like a BBQ riblet should be. If you are cooking a lot of meat, you may need to give them more time.
- Mix together all the Homemade Barbecue Sauce Ingredients.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
DELICIOUS Pork Loin Riblets Recipe – Slow Smoked and Glazed with a Sweet & Sticky Sauce!
FAQ
What are pork featherbones?
How long should you cook pork ribs for?
How do you eat pork riblets?
How long does it take to grill pork riblets?