Are Ruby Tuesday Ribs Beef or Pork?

Ruby Tuesday is a popular American restaurant chain known for its extensive menu, including delicious ribs But if you’ve ever ordered ribs at Ruby Tuesday, you may have wondered – are they made from beef or pork?

In this article, we’ll breakdown the types of ribs on the Ruby Tuesday menu examining the cuts of beef versus pork ribs used in their dishes. We’ll also look at the cooking methods employed to create those finger-licking ribs we all love.

Ruby Tuesday Uses Pork Ribs

After extensive research into their menu and ingredients, I can definitively say Ruby Tuesday ribs are made from pork, specifically baby back ribs.

Baby back ribs come from the upper ribcage of the pig and are shorter and meatier than spare ribs They have a good balance of fat and tenderness, making them a go-to choice for restaurants seeking fall-off-the-bone ribs.

While Ruby Tuesday uses pork for their ribs, they do offer some beef options as well like burgers, steak, and beef brisket. But when it comes to ribs, pork is the protein of choice.

Comparing Beef vs Pork Ribs

To understand why pork baby back ribs are used, it helps to compare some of the characteristics of beef versus pork ribs:

Beef Ribs

• Comes from cows

• Cut into short ribs and back ribs

• Back ribs are leaner with less fat

• Short ribs are fattier and need to be braised

• Stronger, beefier flavor

Pork Ribs

• Comes from pigs

• Main cuts are baby back, spare, and St. Louis

• Baby backs are most tender and lean

• Spareribs have more fat for flavor

• Milder, sweeter flavor compared to beef

So pork ribs tend to be more naturally tender and have a milder taste that appeals to a wide audience. The lean yet tender meat on baby backs makes them a perfect choice for a casual dining chain like Ruby Tuesday.

How Are Ruby Tuesday Ribs Cooked?

According to some behind-the-scenes sources, Ruby Tuesday uses a specific technique to cook their ribs low and slow for maximum tenderness:

• Ribs are seasoned with a proprietary dry rub

• Racks are stacked in a pan with water and liquid smoke

• Foil-wrapped pan bakes at 250°F for 3 hours

• Ribs cool then chill until service time

• Briefly grilled while basting with BBQ sauce to finish

This extended low oven cooking gently breaks down connective tissue over time. Chilling firms the ribs up again before finishing over high dry heat on the grill.

The result is a rib with moist, fall-apart tender meat, a caramelized crust, and sticky glazed exterior. Perfect finger food!

How to Order Ribs at Ruby Tuesday

If you’re planning to visit Ruby Tuesday specifically for the ribs, here are a few tips:

• Stick to the Ribs & Combos section of the menu

• Choose baby back ribs for the most tender pork ribs

• Opt for ribs as an entree or combo versus an appetizer

• Pair ribs with lighter sides like steamed veggies vs heavy carbs

• Request BBQ sauce on the side to control sodium and sugar

• Take home leftovers since ribs can be quite filling

• Balance ribs with a salad from the Garden Bar

By following these tips, you can indulge in Ruby Tuesday’s famous ribs while still being mindful of nutrition and portion control.

Signs Your Ruby Tuesday Ribs are Beef vs Pork

If you ever have trouble telling whether your Ruby Tuesday ribs are pork or beef, here are a few signs to look for:

Indicators of Pork Ribs

• Smaller, curved shape of ribs

• Leaner looking with less visible fat

• More tender, fall-off-the-bone texture

• Subtler flavor, mildly sweet

Indicators of Beef Ribs

• Larger, wider cut of ribs

• More fat marbling visible

• Chewier texture, less fall-off-the-bone

• Stronger, beefier flavor

• Savory, less sweet

So if your ribs are on the smaller side with a milder taste and tender bite, they are likely the pork baby back ribs the restaurant is known for.

The Verdict on Ruby Tuesday Ribs

After extensive research into their ingredients, cooking methods, and menu options, I can say definitively that the ribs at Ruby Tuesday are made from pork. Specifically, they use pork baby back ribs which come from the top of the ribcage.

The lean yet tender meat on baby back ribs makes them an ideal choice for achieving fall-off-the-bone ribs every time. While Ruby Tuesday does offer some beef dishes, all of their rib entrees rely on pork as the protein.

So if you’re a fan of Ruby Tuesday’s finger-licking ribs, you can dig in knowing they are made from high-quality pork loin meat. Just be mindful of portion sizes, and balance out your meal with lighter sides and veggies.