When most people think of smoked pork ribs, they probably picture a summer barbecue with lots of sauce-covered fingers and mouth-watering rib slabs on a picnic table.
There’s no doubt that the smell of pork ribs cooking over a fire or being smoked lets everyone know what’s for dinner! The same is true for baby back ribs and St. Louis-style ribs that are served in some of the best Daytona Beach restaurants around.
But even the biggest rib connoisseurs may wonder, “What’s the difference between the two types of ribs?”
Both baby back ribs and St. Louis-style ribs are incredibly tasty, extremely popular, and served to satisfy even the most discerning palette. You should choose either of these types of pork ribs for your next meal if you’ve ever wondered what the best cuts are.
Perhaps a more well-known name for these ribs is “spareribs. ” Compared to baby back ribs, this cut has more meat between the bones. They also have more fat between the ribs, which makes them a flavorful choice.
The spareribs come from the lower area of the pig, closer to the stomach. Initially, the rib tips are removed because they are mostly cartilage and bone. Once the tips are gone, the rectangular-shaped meaty portion is what is cooked and served.
The meat on St. Louis-style ribs is not always as tender as the baby back rib meat. However, depending on how they are cooked, they can be incredibly flavorful.
As for size, the St. Louis-style ribs are generally larger than slabs of baby backs. Some racks weigh as little as two and a half pounds and as much as three pounds. This makes them perfect for entertaining large groups. Also, the bones are usually a bit straighter than baby back rib bones, which can help you get the meat off of them more easily.
This type of rack might be what you first think of when someone mentions “ribs. ” They are typically leaner than St. Louis-style ribs. Although they have less meat between the bones, there is more meat on top.
In restaurants, baby backs are served more often than spareribs. Spareribs are also usually smaller than baby backs.
It is easy to tell the difference between the two types of cuts because the bones of the baby back ribs are more curved. Baby back ribs come from the upper part of the pig’s back, near the spine.
Baby back ribs are also very popular at the best restaurants in Daytona Beach, and for good reason. They are called “baby back ribs” because they are smaller. You’ll usually have 8-13 ribs per rack. The average weight of a baby back rib rack is between one and a half and two pounds.
Pork ribs are a classic barbecue staple and beloved comfort food. But when shopping for ribs to grill up a feast, it’s helpful to know how much each rib weighs on average. The weight can vary significantly between baby back ribs vs spare ribs or from different sections of the pig.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide a complete breakdown of pork rib weights so you can easily determine how much to purchase and cook for any barbecue or dinner.
Average Weight of a Baby Back Rib
Baby back ribs come from the top part of the ribcage near the spine and are shorter and meatier than spare ribs. They have a milder flavor and more tender meat.
On average, one baby back rib weighs between 5-7 ounces. A full slab of baby backs contains 10-13 ribs and weighs around 1.5 – 2 pounds.
When serving baby back ribs plan for approximately 2-3 ribs per person if serving as a main dish. For a heartier appetite or as part of a larger spread, allow 4 ribs per guest.
If cooking a half slab of 5-6 ribs, expect it to weigh from 12-16 ounces total. The petite size makes baby backs ideal for single servings.
Average Weight of a Spare Rib
Spare ribs are cut from the belly and side of the pig. They contain more bone, fat, and cartilage than baby back ribs, but have bold pork flavor.
A typical spare rib weighs approximately 6-8 ounces. You can expect a full slab of spareribs to contain 10-13 ribs weighing 3-4 pounds total.
When serving spareribs, plan for 3-5 ribs per person depending on appetite. Approximately 1 pound of spareribs per guest is a good estimate.
Average Weight of Country-Style Ribs
Country-style ribs are one of the most tender kinds of ribs, cut from the the pork loin or shoulder area. They contain no rib bones, but can have thin strips of connected cartilage.
On average, country-style ribs weigh between 4-6 ounces each. Allow 5-7 ounces of country-style ribs per serving if the ribs are the main attraction of the meal. A pound of country-style ribs typically contains 2-3 pieces.
Average Weight of St. Louis Style Ribs
St. Louis cut spare ribs have the tips of bones removed for a uniform rectangular appearance. The bone, cartilage, and skirt meat are also trimmed.
Since the non-meaty portions are removed, St. Louis ribs weigh slightly less than spare ribs, at about 5-7 ounces each. Plan for 4-6 ribs per person when serving a full rack of St. Louis style ribs.
Choosing the Right Size Ribs
- For petite appetites, allow 2 baby back or 3 spare ribs per person
- For average adult appetites, allow 3-4 baby back or 4-5 spare ribs per person
- For big eaters or as a main course, allow 5-6 baby back or 6-7 spare ribs per person
- Keep portion sizes smaller if also serving lots of barbecue sides. If ribs are the star of the show, go bigger on portions.
Factors Affecting Rib Weights
There are a few factors that can cause the weights of individual ribs to vary:
- Age and size of the pig
- Part of the ribcage the cut is from
- Amount of meat, bone, and fat
- Processing and trimming
- Enhancement injections
Heavier pigs and enhanced ribs will be on the larger size. Avoid ribs with lots of extra fat/gristle or uneven bone sizes.
Calorie and Nutrition Info
One bone-in pork rib (about 1 ounce) contains around:
- 125 calories
- 9g fat
- 0 carbs
- 8g protein
Ribs are one of the fattier cuts of pork. Each 3 oz serving of ribs has about 176 calories and 11g of fat. Seasonings and sauces will increase calories.
Cooking Time Based on Weight
Cooking time can vary based on rib weights and sizes.
- Baby back ribs (1.5 – 2 lbs): Cook for 2 – 3 hours
- Spareribs (3 – 4 lbs): Cook for 3 – 4 hours
- Country-style ribs (1 – 2 lbs): Cook for 1.5 – 3 hours
Use a meat thermometer to confirm ribs reach 195°F at thickest part. If undercooked, continue roasting or grilling 5-10 minutes more.
Sample Recipes by Rib Type
Baby Back Ribs
- Apply dry rub
- Smoke at 225°F for 2-3 hours
- Glaze with barbecue sauce last 30 minutes
Oven Baked Spareribs
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika
- Roast at 325°F for 3-4 hours until tender
- Toss with bourbon barbecue sauce
Instant Pot Country-Style Ribs
- Sear seasoned ribs
- Pressure cook for 25 minutes with sauce
- Broil 5 minutes to caramelize
Key Takeaways
- Baby back ribs weigh 5-7 ounces each
- Spareribs weigh 6-8 ounces each
- Country-style ribs weigh 4-6 ounces each
- Plan for 2-6 ribs per person depending on appetite
- Enhancement and fat can increase rib weight
- Allow 1.5 – 4 hours of cooking time based on weight
Knowing the average weight of each type of pork rib will make shopping and cooking much easier. Use these estimates as a guideline and enjoy the finger-licking barbecue!
Explore the Best Daytona Beach Restaurants for BBQ
If you order ribs from a restaurant in Daytona Beach again, make sure you carefully think about your choices. You might find a new favorite!
What are the Different Types of Pork Ribs? | The Bearded Butchers
FAQ
What is the average weight of pork ribs?
How many ounces is 1 rack of ribs?
How much does a rib bone weigh?
How many ounces are 3 pork ribs?
How much do pork ribs weigh?
When it comes to pork ribs, the weight can vary depending on the type of rib. As mentioned before, baby back ribs typically weigh between 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per rack, while spare ribs can weigh between 3 and 4 pounds per rack.
How much does a half rack of ribs weigh?
Restaurants, however, will sometimes label a serving as a “half rack” even if there are only 3 to 4 ribs included. A half rack of baby back ribs should weigh between 12 ounces and a full pound, depending on the weight of the full rack. If you’re talking about spare ribs, meanwhile, the half rack should weigh in at roughly 1.5 to 2 pounds.
How much does a full rack of spare ribs weigh?
A full rack of spare ribs typically weighs around 2-3 pounds and can have anywhere from 10 to 13 ribs, while a half rack can weigh anywhere between 12 to 16 ounces and have about 5 to 6 ribs on the rack. On the other hand, baby back ribs come from the top of the rib cage and are typically smaller than spare ribs.
How much does a full rack of baby back ribs weigh?
On average, a full rack of baby back ribs will have 10 to 13 curved ribs that are 3 to 6 inches long and weigh about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. This means that a half rack would have around five to six ribs and weigh between 12 to 16 ounces. Spare ribs, on the other hand, are larger and meatier than baby back ribs.