Corn ribs may look like your run-of-the-mill pork ribs, but they’re actually much healthier than traditional pork ribs.
They don’t contain any added sugars or sodium, so they can be an excellent option if you have dietary restrictions.
What Is The Difference Between Corn Ribs And Regular Ribs?
First of all, let’s make it clear that corn ribs aren’t made from whole ears of corn.
In fact, corn ribs are cut off the cob after being soaked for several hours in water.
This process removes some of the moisture content, which allows them to dry out faster during cooking.
Corn ribs also tend to have more flavor because there’s less starch left over when they’ve been processed.
The main benefit of corn ribs (aside from their lower calories) is that they’re low on fat.
A serving size of corn ribs contains only 2 grams of saturated fats per 100 grams of meat.
That makes them significantly better than most lean cuts of beef or chicken.
In addition, corn ribs are very high in fiber.
Each portion has 5 grams of fiber, compared to 3 grams in a standard pork rib rack.
Fiber helps keep blood sugar levels stable and helps reduce cholesterol levels by lowering LDL.
Because corn ribs are relatively easy to digest, they’re often recommended as a healthy alternative to red meats (can you eat corn raw? Read here).
If you struggle with stomach issues, however, this isn’t necessarily a good thing.
It might not be wise to eat corn ribs regularly if you suffer from IBS.
That said, many people who are gluten free swear by corn ribs.
Because corn is naturally low in gluten, these types of ribs are considered safe for those who follow a strict diet.
However, we recommend checking with your doctor before starting a new meal plan.
You should always consult a physician if you experience digestive discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms indicating food poisoning.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Corn Ribs?
The key factor that sets these corn ribs apart from other varieties of rib meat is their preparation method.
Corn is naturally sweeter than soybeans or wheat, which means it has less need for additional sugar when cooking.
Corn also contains protein, fiber, iron, zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins, while having only 45 calories per serving.
In addition, unlike beef or chicken, there aren’t many different types of corn on the market, making them easy to find at almost every grocery store.
Because of this, you won’t have to worry about finding the right cut of meat.
If you want to try something new, corn ribs will definitely satisfy your cravings.
What Is The Most Popular Corn Ribs Recipe?
The easiest and tastiest way to prepare corn ribs is by baking them.
Baking allows for even cooking, which keeps your meat tender and juicy when it comes out of the oven.
It also helps you get more flavor into your dish because the process of roasting concentrates the flavors of ingredients.
Corn ribs are especially well suited for this method of preparation.
If you want to try something different, there are plenty of other recipes that call for grilling or pan frying corn ribs instead of baking them.
One such example is this homemade barbecue sauce recipe from Food & Wine magazine.
If you prefer not to bake your corn ribs, however, we recommend our favorite grilled corn rib recipe.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Corn Ribs?
If you’ve never had corn ribs before, you might not realize how healthy they really are.
Corn ribs are made from whole-grain corn and are a great source of fiber, which helps keep things moving through your digestive tract.
You also get plenty of vitamins and minerals that help boost energy levels throughout the day.
In addition to being a good source of protein, corn ribs also provide iron, zinc, vitamin B6, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, phosphorus, potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium, manganese, folate, pantothenic acid, and choline (among others).
How to make corn ribs at home
- Get yourself some corn husks.
- Cut off the ends of the corn cob using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.
- Peel away the outer layer of husk by sliding it down the sides of the cobs until only the inner layers remain attached.
- Remove the silk from the cobs.
- Slice each corn cob into four pieces.
- Place on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Mix together 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons paprika, 3 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon dry mustard.
- Sprinkle mixture evenly over corn ribs.
- Bake in preheated 450 degree F oven for 30 minutes, then flip them over and bake another 15 minutes.
- After cooking, remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Once cooled enough to handle, cut between the ribs to separate them.
- Serve with homemade corn salsa!
Are Corn Ribs Good For You?
The short answer is yes—they are low in fat and calories.
Corn ribs also contain high amounts of fiber (3 grams per serving), which helps keep blood sugar levels steady throughout the day.
The combination of protein from the meat and fiber provides essential amino acids that help build muscle tissue and maintain healthy skin, hair, nails, and bones.
If you choose to eat corn ribs as part of a balanced diet, you will find them beneficial to overall health.
However, it’s important to note that not everyone has the same nutritional needs.
For instance, those who need more iron should avoid eating too many red meats because they tend to deplete this nutrient over time.
How Do You Make Corn Ribs?
While there isn’t a specific “recipe” for making corn ribs, this dish does require some preparation time and cooking skills.
In order to prepare this meaty treat, you will need to remove the membrane from each rib section as well as soak them in salt water overnight (this step helps tenderize the meat).
Then, after removing the membranes, place the ribs on a rack over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Season the racks with dry rub, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the ribs reach that temp, remove them from the oven and let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
You can serve these tasty ribs right away, or you can refrigerate them and reheat when needed.
If you want to freeze them, simply pop them into freezer bags once cooled.
To thaw, just put them back onto the baking tray and heat up in the microwave for three minute intervals until hot enough to eat.
If you prefer not to use corn ribs, check out our recipes for other popular types of pork ribs!
What Is The History Of Corn Ribs?
The first time I heard about corn ribs was when my friend told me she had been making them for years and it sounded weird that nobody else knew what they were called.
It turns out there aren’t many people who know how to prepare these tasty treats!
If you want to learn more about this dish, keep reading below.
When did corn ribs become popular?
There isn’t a definitive answer on why corn ribs became such a hit as of late, but there are plenty of theories floating around.
Some believe corn ribs originated from Mexican cuisine because of their use in nachos and other dishes, while others say they came from Southern barbecue culture during the Civil War era due to the fact that pork wasn’t readily available at the time.
Why should you eat corn ribs instead of pork ribs?
Pork ribs are made by marinating meat overnight in spices before cooking.
While this method works well for most meats, it doesn’t work very well with pork ribs, which are leaner cuts of meat.
Corn ribs get their flavor from baking, not from marination.
What Are The Different Types Of Corn Ribs?
There aren’t really that many different kinds of corn ribs out there, but there are still plenty of variations that make them unique.
You should know what type of corn rib you’re buying before you start cooking it because each is made differently and will require slightly different methods for preparation.
Buttermilk Roasted Corn Ribs
These corn ribs are prepared by soaking the meaty pieces in buttermilk overnight, which tenderizes the meat while also adding flavor.
Then, after being roasted in a pan on high heat, the meat gets seasoned with herbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Finally, the corn ribs get topped off with a sweet and savory sauce made from fresh tomatoes and jalapeños.
Cajun Style Smoked Corn Ribs
This particular variation doesn’t use buttermilk at all, instead opting for a dry rub that includes smoked paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, onion powder, black pepper, mustard, and other spices.
After roasting these little guys in the oven, the smoky flavors come through strong in every bite!
Barbecue Style Roasted Corn Ribs
If you want to go down the barbecue road, this is one of the best recipes available online.
It starts with a marinade that combines apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, liquid smoke, granulated garlic, onion flakes, and salt.
Once the meat has been soaked up with the flavorful mixture, it goes into a smoker (or a regular oven) where it cooks until crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
A final blast of flame on top finishes the dish off nicely.
Chipotle Ranch Roasted Corn Ribs
These corn ribs take things up a notch by using chipotles in adobo as part of their spice mix.
Unlike standard paprika, chipotles in adobo packs a lot more flavor punch, which makes these corn ribs taste even better.
They also feature a creamy ranch dressing that helps balance the spicy notes of the meat.
What Are Some Popular Corn Ribs Seasonings?
There are two main types of corn ribs recipes out there – those that use barbecue sauce and those that use no additional ingredients at all.
But before we discuss which one you should try for yourself, let’s take a look at what else goes into these amazing rib creations.
- BBQ Sauce – BBQ sauces are made from tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, spices, and other flavor enhancers. Some people believe that this type of sauce will give their meat a “burnt” taste. However, when cooked properly, it won’t impart a burnt flavor on the food whatsoever.
- Salt & Pepper – These are very basic seasonings that most people would think about using when cooking a meal. Salt adds savory flavors to foods while pepper gives them a spicy kick. If you add too much salt, however, your food could end up tasting overly salty instead of flavorful.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic powder has been shown to help prevent cancer growth and protect against heart disease by blocking free radicals within our bodies. It also helps to fight off cold viruses because garlic contains high amounts of sulfur compounds. You can find it as an ingredient in many different herbs including oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, sage, and marjoram.
- Cumin – Cumin is another spice that has been used for centuries to treat illnesses. It’s often found in Mexican dishes. People who suffer from certain digestive problems such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) benefit greatly from cumin. Studies show that cumin stimulates digestion and increases bile production. It also helps reduce bloating and gas caused by excess stomach acid.
- Ground Mustard Seed – Ground mustard seed is available in both yellow and brown varieties. Yellow ground mustard seeds are usually smaller in size and used more frequently in Indian cuisine. Brown ground mustard seeds are larger and used less frequently.
- Chili Flakes – Chili flakes are small pieces of chili peppers that get their heat from capsaicin, a compound that makes us feel warm inside. When combined with other spices, they become a great addition to many different meals. For example, adding them to popcorn creates a unique experience that everyone loves!
- Dried Oregano – Dried oregano isn’t just good in Italian and Greek cuisines. It works well in almost every dish imaginable.
How Long Do You Cook Corn Ribs?
The amount of time it takes for corn ribs to finish cooking will depend on how thick and meaty they are.
You should allow them about 1 hour per pound (455 grams) of actual weight.
This means that a 3/4-pound rack (227 grams) would take around 45 minutes to fully cook.
If you want to make sure that you get the best results possible from this dish, we recommend following these tips for making the perfect corn ribs.
- Always use fresh ingredients. Don’t buy frozen or canned food when preparing meals at home. It doesn’t taste nearly as good as what you could create using fresh products.
- Use only whole spices. When cooking meats, always try to avoid buying preground versions because they often contain additives that affect the flavor of whatever you’re eating.
- Buy organic whenever possible. Organic produce has been found to retain more nutrients than conventionally grown foods. In addition, many conventional growers spray their crops with pesticides which end up lingering in the beef long after it’s cooked.
- Make sure to rinse off all excess fat before refrigerating any cuts of meat. Fat is just as unhealthy as salt, sugar, and other preservatives used by commercial food manufacturers.
- Cooking times tend to vary depending on the thickness of the meat being prepared. Thicker cuts such as brisket require longer cooking periods while thinner cuts, such as pork loin chops, need slightly shorter cooking times.
Preparing Corn Ribs
For our corn ribs recipe, you’ll start out by cutting each piece into two pieces, one top half and bottom half.
With the help of a sharp knife, cut along either side of the bone where the rib meets the shoulder blade.
Then turn the roast over onto its back and cut down the length of the rib until you reach the bone again.
Next, slice through the center of both sides of the rib until you reach the backbone.
Remove the backbone.
Once the backbone has been removed, set the ribs aside and chop them up into smaller portions.
We suggest roughly 2 ounces (57 grams) per person – enough to serve four people.
Make sure not to overcook the meat though, as it tends to dry out quickly once it gets too hot.
Next, prepare your marinade by combining all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
Be careful to stir well so that everything mixes evenly.
Once everything is combined, pour the mixture over the meat, cover, and let sit overnight in the refrigerator.
This step helps tenderize the meat and gives the flavors inside a chance to penetrate better.
Equipment
- 1 cutboard
- 1 small bowl
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 corn on cob
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or another oil like avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika smoked
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder optional
Instructions
- Stand the corn up vertically, with the wider end against the table, and cut it in half, then into quarters.
- To make the seasoning, combine all of the spices and oil in a small bowl and thoroughly mix. Then, apply the seasoning to the chopped corn.
- Arrange the corn ribs in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving enough space between each for air to circulate.
- Cook the corn in an Air Fryer at 375oF/190oC for 12-15 minutes, flipping them over at 7 minutes if desired. If you prefer crisper results, cook for the longest time possible.
- Prepare the chili mayo and garnishes while the sweetcorn cooks. Once baked, garnish and serve!
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.