I’ll be honest. When I first got into barbecue I had no idea there were different types of pork ribs.
It wasn’t until I started buying meat from proper butchers that I realized how many options were out there for a rib fiend.
Learning about the four popular cuts of pork ribs and how they are butchered and trimmed is a great shortcut to mastering barbecue ribs.
So grab a coffee (or a beer) sit back and learn everything you never knew about the different types of pork ribs.
Shoulder cuts, which are thick strips cut from pork shoulder steaks, are sometimes found labeled as pork shoulder country-style ribs.
Baby Back Ribs
Baby back ribs are from the highest part of the pigs back, and are directly connected to the backbone of the animal.
Just to be clear, these ribs have nothing to do with piglets. The word “baby” refers to the fact they are smaller than spare ribs. “Back” refers to the fact that they are attached to the backbone of the pig.
They are also sometimes referred to as “loin back ribs”.
Distinctive Features:
- Baby back ribs tend to be leaner than spare ribs.
- They usually range between 3 to 6 inches in length from long end to short end
- They have a distinctive bend at the top where the rib meets the spine.
There are so many great ways to cook baby back ribs. All good recipes will include the same basic steps:
- Look for ribs that are around 1 inch thick with plenty of meat
- Trim any meat dangling from the bone side
- Slide the tip of a knife under the membrane and over the bone
- Using a paper towel carefully pick up the edge of the membrane and peel it off. Learn more about how to remove the membrane from pork ribs in our step-by-step guide.
- Season both sides with your favorite barbecue rub
For more detailed cooking instructions I recommend this recipe for smoked baby back ribs on the pellet grill, or if you are short on time go for our hot and fast baby back ribs recipe
Spare ribs are from further down the side of the pig and reach right down toward the breastbone of the animal. They are also referred to as “side ribs” or “spares”.
These are probably the most popular type of rib, and when people refer to “ribs” without specifying what type, there is a good chance they are talking about spare ribs.
Distinctive Features:
- Spare ribs are flatter and straighter than baby back ribs.
- On one end you will see the marrow of the bones where they have been cut away from the baby back ribs.
- The other end is where the ribs taper away at the chest of the animal. At this end of the ribs you will see a slab of meat, along with some cartilage and gristle.
- Some would say that spare ribs have richer, more flavorful meat than baby backs. But whether or not the meat is superior or not is really a matter of your own personal taste.
If you’re having trouble telling apart baby back ribs from spare ribs, we have a whole post dedicated to the subject.
You can prepare spare ribs the same as baby back ribs just increase the cooking time. While baby backs can be finished in 3 to 4 hours, when cooking spare ribs, allow 5 – 6 hours.
For a great pork spare ribs recipe, check out our guide to 3-2-1 ribs as well as Johnny Trigg ribs recipe.321 Ribs: Low and Slow Smoked Pork Ribs
The 4 Main Types of Pork Ribs Explained
We can’t talk about the different cuts of pork ribs without looking at the anatomy of the pig.
Each pig has 14 rib bones which are attached to the spine and divided into the four most popular cuts.
The type of rib will depend on it has been trimmed, and the section of the rib cage from which it has been cut.
Each type of rib has its own distinct characteristics, number of ribs in a rack, and ways to prepare.
You’ll Never Make Country Style Ribs Any Other Way
FAQ
Are short ribs the same as country-style ribs?
What cut of pork is country-style ribs?
Are country-style ribs the same as St Louis ribs?
Are pork loin back ribs the same as country-style ribs?
What is a country style rib?
Below you will find my findings. Country style ribs, also known as Western-style ribs, can refer to different cuts of pork and are sold either bone-in or boneless. Country style rib chops come from the shoulder end of the loin, while country style pork shoulder ribs are cut from the butt, often sold boneless and ideal for pulled pork.
Are country style ribs boneless?
This recipe calls for Country Style Pork Ribs. The ones I bought most recently were mostly boneless, but a few had bones. They are in the meat section with other pork cuts. Unlike the name implies, country style ribs don’t actually come from the rib area of the pig, but instead the shoulder.
What are country-style pork ribs?
Despite their name, country-style pork ribs aren’t like traditional pork or beef ribs as they come from the pork shoulder area rather than the rib area. These ribs, which can be purchased boneless or bone-in, are meatier and contain more fat and connective tissue, making them incredibly flavorful and tender when cooked low and slow.
Are pork shoulder ribs country-style?
Shoulder cuts, which are thick strips cut from pork shoulder steaks, are sometimes found labeled as pork shoulder country-style ribs. If you don’t see them in the counter display, ask the butcher if you can have them cut and packaged. Country-style ribs will produce flavorful results on low heat for as little as a few hours.