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 spare ribs are a quintessential barbecue food that is cherished by meat lovers everywhere. Their rich, meaty flavor and fall-off-the-bone tenderness when slow cooked make them a backyard grilling staple. But when it comes to purchasing your rack of ribs, how much should you expect them to weigh? Understanding spare rib sizes and weights will ensure you buy the right quantity for your cookout or dinner needs.
What Are Pork Spare Ribs?
Pork spare ribs come from the belly of the pig, just below the loin section. They are also known as side ribs or St. Louis style ribs. Spare ribs contain more connective tissue and fat compared to loin ribs, which gives them their signature rich pork flavor.
A full slab of spare ribs contains both the ribs and rib tips The tips are usually removed before cooking since they are mostly bone and cartilage. Once trimmed, the remaining St. Louis cut is what most people recognize as spare ribs
Compared to other rib cuts, spare ribs have more generous portions of meat between each bone. They also often have uneven rib lengths within a rack due to their belly location. These attributes make spare ribs one of the heavier rib options by weight.
Typical Weight of a Full Rack
When shopping for spare ribs, you’ll most often find them sold in full slab racks A full rack of untrimmed spare ribs generally weighs
- 2 to 2.5 pounds
Once the rib tips are removed and the slab is trimmed into the rectangular St. Louis cut, the weight decreases slightly:
- 1.5 to 2 pounds for a trimmed full rack
A full slab contains about 10-13 individual ribs. While sizes can vary, each rib is typically 3 to 6 inches long and 1-2 inches wide.
Due to the larger bones and greater amounts of fat, spare ribs are heavier than other rib cuts like loin back ribs or country style ribs when purchased in full rack portions.
Weight of a Half Rack
For smaller appetites, pork spare ribs can be purchased pre-cut into half racks. These contain either the top or bottom half of a full slab, usually with 5-6 ribs in each half rack.
The weight of a half rack of trimmed St. Louis spare ribs is:
- 12 to 16 ounces
A half rack is the perfect single serving size. The lighter weight also makes half racks convenient for quick weeknight meals.
How Weight Compares to Baby Back Ribs
Baby back ribs are another popular pork rib choice. They come from higher up on the pork loin near the spine. Here’s how their full rack weight compares to spare ribs:
- Baby back full rack: 1.5 – 2 lbs
- Spare rib full rack: 1.5 – 2 lbs
While similar in full rack weight, baby back ribs have smaller bones and tend to cook slightly faster than meatier spare ribs.
When buying half racks, both styles typically weigh the same:
- Baby back half rack: 12-16 oz
- Spare rib half rack: 12-16 oz
So you get more meat per bone with spare ribs, but faster cook times with baby backs.
What Impacts Weight
There are a few factors that can cause the weight of racks to vary:
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Pork breed – Heritage breeds have larger bones & more meat
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Diet – Pasture raised pigs produce heartier ribs
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Butcher trimming – The more meat left on, the heavier the rack
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Rack position – Upper belly racks contain more meat
While weights may fluctuate slightly based on these criteria, pork spare ribs are always a satisfying choice when slow cooked until tender.
How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs
To maximize their signature rich, fork-tender texture, pork spare ribs are best cooked using moist indirect heat methods at low temperatures for longer periods of time. Here are top cooking methods:
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Smoking – 4-6 hrs at 225°F
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Grilling – Indirect heat at 300°F for 4-5 hrs
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Braising – Braise in liquid in a Dutch oven at 300°F for 3-4 hrs
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Roasting – Cook uncovered in the oven at 300°F for 2-3 hrs
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Pressure cooking – Cook for 45 mins to 1 hr in an Instant Pot
Always rest ribs 5-10 minutes before cutting to let juices reabsorb after cooking. Serve them dry rubbed, sauced, or a combination of both.
Buying Your Racks
When shopping for spare ribs, look for plump ribs with nice marbling and a ratio of meat to bone that appeals to your preferences. Avoid any off smells or discoloration. For maximum freshness, cook ribs within 1-2 days of purchasing.
Pork spare ribs can be found pre-packaged at:
- Butcher shops or meat markets
- Grocery store meat counters
- Warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club
With their generous portions of rich, succulent pork and large, meaty ribs, it’s easy to see why pork spare ribs are a longtime grilling favorite. A full slab weighs 1.5 – 2 pounds, providing ample portions for a crowd. Half racks around 1 pound are perfect for smaller appetites. Understanding spare rib sizes takes the guesswork out of buying the right quantity for your next cookout or dinner.
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
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