Costillas Fritas (Fried Ribs)
These crispy, Costillas Fritas (Fried Ribs) are the perfect combo of tender meat and golden, seasoned crust. Excellent with many side dishes!
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Servings: 3
Calories: 981kcal
- 3 lbs rack of ribs rinsed
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ tablespoon oregano
- 3 tablespoon garlic puree
- 3 tablespoon yellow mustard
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- adobo sprinkled on ribs
- corn or vegetable oil for frying
Rinse ribs and lay on a cutting board. Cut the slab of ribs into individual ribs. Sprinkle the adobo on both sides of the ribs.
Add the ribs to a mixing bowl and add the mustard, paprika, oregano, and the garlic puree. Using your hands or using a spoon, incorporate all the seasoning really well into the pork ribs. Cover the ribs and allow to marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to a casserole or mixing bowl and stir.
Frying the Ribs
Add about an inch of oil to a heavy pot or skillet and heat the oil over medium heat.
While the oil is heating, coat 3 to 4 ribs at a time with the flour mixture.Note: Only coat the ribs that you are about to fry. When you are ready to fry the second batch, then coat the next set of ribs. When the oil is heated through, carefully add 3 to 4 ribs at a time to the oil. Fry on one side 7-10 minutes. Flip over and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes.
Drain the ribs on a lined paper towel plate. Repeat the process and fry the other ribs until they're all cooked.Keep Warm: Keep the cooked ribs warm in a preheated 200-degree oven.
Recipe Notes:
Frying: Do not use oil that is old or has been used to fry other meats. Use fresh oil every time when making these ribs.
Do Not Overcrowd Skillet: Overcrowding the skillet causes the ribs to soak too much oil while frying and produces greasy ribs.
After Frying First Batch: Before adding the second batch, skim any crumbs you notice in the oil with a skimmer or spoon.
Adding the Second Batch - Make sure to reheat the oil back to temperature before adding the second batch.
Serving: 3 | Calories: 981kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 65g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 806mg | Potassium: 919mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 7mg