how to trim spare ribs?

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redneck1676

Fire Starter
Original poster
Feb 7, 2012
73
10
Crest Hill, IL
Ive been doing some reading on here about spare ribs and trimming them. This is what Ive got full slabs untrimmed sraight from the meat packer. How should I trim them? Should I leave them whole? Ive read you do rib tips withthe cartlige ends. Im a newbie so how would I trim these slabs. Thanks Jason
 
Jason, I like to trim spares St Louis style.  There are plenty of how to videos with a simple search.  Here's one:    The tidbits you trim are good for greens, beans, nachos, tacos, etc so don't throw them away.
 
Last edited:
Good advice from Bama.  You should watch a video of St. Louis trimming.  When I trim for St. Louis spares, I turn the rack bone-side up and find the longest rib bone.  Then, using the end of that bone as the guide, make a square cut end to end.  It helps to use a really sharp knife to cut cleanly through the cartilage.  I usually smoke the skirt and tips along with the ribs and put them in my baked beans.
 
Thanks Bama I'll have to watch that video. SeenRed putting the skirt in baked beans Awesome. I was thinking rib tips for the cartilage side
 
Good video.....

I don't use a knife to get the membrane up. I just use the paper towel of towel and pull from the corner.....that is just me thoe.....
 
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