Marinated LA-Style Pork Ribs: Juicy and Tender
The Ultimate Recipe for Homemade LA-Style Marinated Pork Ribs
If you’re trying LA-style pork ribs for the first time, they offer a distinctly different experience compared to beef ribs. You’ll love the satisfyingly ‘bouncy’ texture characteristic of pork. The perfect balance of fat interspersed throughout ensures the ribs are not tough but incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Enjoy restaurant-quality LA-style pork ribs right in your own kitchen!
Main Ingredients
- Pork ribs 500g (cut LA-style)
- Apple 1/8 piece (to be blended)
- Onion 1/4 piece (to be blended)
- Garlic 6 cloves (or 6 cloves garlic, to be blended)
LA Rib Marinade
- Soy sauce 5 Tbsp (approx. 50ml)
- Plum extract 2 Tbsp (approx. 20ml)
- Mirin (or cooking sake) 2 Tbsp (approx. 20ml)
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp (approx. 10ml)
- Ginger powder a pinch (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger)
- Black pepper a pinch
- Oligosaccharide 1 Tbsp (approx. 10ml, for shine and sweetness)
- Soy sauce 5 Tbsp (approx. 50ml)
- Plum extract 2 Tbsp (approx. 20ml)
- Mirin (or cooking sake) 2 Tbsp (approx. 20ml)
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp (approx. 10ml)
- Ginger powder a pinch (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger)
- Black pepper a pinch
- Oligosaccharide 1 Tbsp (approx. 10ml, for shine and sweetness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the pork ribs under cold running water and soak them for about 30 minutes to 1 hour to remove any blood. This step is crucial for a clean, savory flavor without any gamey taste.
Step 2
In a blender or food processor, combine the 1/8 apple, 1/4 onion, and 6 cloves of garlic. Blend until smooth. This fruit and vegetable mixture will help tenderize the meat and add natural sweetness.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the blended apple-onion-garlic mixture with the marinade ingredients: 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp plum extract, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, a pinch of ginger powder, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide. Whisk everything together until well combined to create the marinade.
Step 4
Drain the pork ribs thoroughly after soaking them to remove blood. Pat them dry with paper towels or let them sit in a colander. Excess moisture can prevent the marinade from adhering well and make grilling more difficult.
Step 5
Place the dried pork ribs in an airtight container or bowl. Pour the prepared marinade over the ribs. Layer the ribs and marinade, ensuring each piece is coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. For a deeper flavor, you can marinate for 2-3 hours or even overnight. Be mindful that prolonged marination can make the ribs too salty, so adjust according to taste.
Step 6
Heat a grill pan or frying pan over medium-low heat. Line the pan with parchment paper. Place the marinated ribs on the pan and cook slowly. Since pork needs to be cooked through, it’s important to cook it thoroughly without burning the exterior. Flip the ribs occasionally and cook until they are nicely browned and cooked through. Brushing a little extra marinade during cooking can add a beautiful glaze and enhance the flavor.
