Baby Back Pork Ribs with Soy and Garlic (Thai)

Making ribs at home can be so intimidating. Pretty much every rib recipe involves hours of smoking or slow-baking. Enter Pepper Thai with the perfect solution: Fry the ribs! These Thai fried ribs are so easy! Just a few ingredients and a few minutes and you have hot, juicy ribs with a soy-garlic-rubbed Thai twist.

1 (12-14 ribs) rack baby back pork ribs, separated into individual ribs
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
7 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
vegetable oil, for frying (~ 2 qts)

Place ribs in a large bowl. Add soy sauce, garlic, and pepper and toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature.

Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high until a deep-fry thermometer registers 370°F. Or test oil by throwing in a little piece of bread or some breadcrumbs; if they sizzle immediately but aren’t burning, you’re ready.

Working in batches, fry ribs until just cooked and well browned, 3-4 minutes. Return oil to 370°F between batches and try to skim out any stray bits of garlic so they don’t burn in the oil and make it taste like burnt garlic.

Transfer ribs to a platter and serve plain or with your favorite hot sauce alongside.

Makes 2-4 servings.