How to Make Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something so satisfying about biting into a perfectly seasoned, tender spare rib. And when it comes to classic Chinese cuisine, salt and pepper spare ribs are a tried-and-true favorite. This dish features succulent pork ribs coated in a flavorful blend of salt, pepper, and other spices, then deep-fried to crispy perfection. It's a dish that's beloved for its simplicity and mouthwatering taste.

While salt and pepper spare ribs may seem like a complex dish, it's actually quite s...

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Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 rack St. Louis-style pork spare ribs

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hrs
  • Additional Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
  • Total Time: 7 hrs 25 mins
  • Servings: 8

  • Mix salt, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Set spice rub aside.
  • Stir vinegar and Dijon mustard together in a small bowl.
  • Place ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Turn the ribs over so that the meat side is down. Use the tip of a small, sharp knife to make some very shallow slashes every few inches through the membrane that covers the ribs. Poke the knife 3 or 4 times between each rib bone, about 1/4 inch deep.
  • Brush about 1/2 of the Dijon mustard mixture on top. Sprinkle with about 40% of the spice rub. Turn the rack over and brush on the rest of the mustard and vinegar mixture. Sprinkle on the rest of the rub, reserving 1 or 2 teaspoons in case you want to use it to season the cooked ribs later.
  • Refrigerate the ribs, uncovered, 4 to 12 hours before baking.
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Remove ribs from the refrigerator.
  • Cook in the center of the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven and baste with the pan drippings. Continue to cook until very tender and the tip of a knife slides in very easily, about 1 1/2 hours more.
  • Remove from the oven, baste again, and let ribs rest for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
  • Nutrition

    400 cal.

    • Total Fat: 30g
    • Saturated Fat: 11g
    • Cholesterol: 120mg
    • Sodium: 1084mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 1g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Total Sugars: 0g
    • Protein: 29g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 52mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 335mg