Forgot to take membrane off ribs?!


Question: I have been cooking babyback ribs for 2 hours now, and just realized I forgot to take the membrane off the back like most recipes call for! Should I take it off now? Or is it too late and should I just leave it?

Thanks!


Answers: I have been cooking babyback ribs for 2 hours now, and just realized I forgot to take the membrane off the back like most recipes call for! Should I take it off now? Or is it too late and should I just leave it?

Thanks!

That membrane, the "silver skin", isn't poisonous or anything. It's perfectly wholesome food; it's just that it can be tough and sinewy to chew on.

You mentioned that you've been cooking the ribs "for 2 hours now", which indicates that you're using a low-and-slow cooking method, like a crock pot or slow oven. In that case, just leave it; the slow cooking will essentially dissolve it, or at least make it so tender that you'll never notice it.

If you were directly grilling the ribs---a shorter, high-temperature cooking---you really should peel off as much of the skin as you can. The faster cooking means the membrane won't have time to break down, which WILL turn out tough. NOTE: in lieu of removing the membrane, you can use a sharp knife to "score" it---just make a bunch of shallow slashes in it. During cooking it will shrink apart, and essentially disappear.

Hi Sunny,

It's not a big deal at this point. I'd just leave it.

The main reason to remove is to get rid of that toughness that it is associated with. Since it's well into the cooking time, your best bet is just to leave it alone. Won't affect the taste.

Pete





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