Cuts of beef called short ribs come from the chuck, plate, rib, or brisket part of a cow. They earned their name because they contain “short” pieces of rib bones encased in meat. While they offer less meat than steak, they have more meat than other beef rib varieties. Their high fat content is perfect for slow cooking methods. Thanks to their similar body build, you can purchase bison short ribs as well. Bison short ribs are a sumptuous, game meat alternative to traditional beef short ribs.
Beef short ribs are a delicious and versatile cut of meat that packs a ton of flavor. Their high fat content makes them ideal for low and slow cooking methods like braising, slow roasting, or smoking I regularly cook up short ribs when feeding a crowd because they create such a savory and rich meal
But when shopping for short ribs, it can be tricky to know exactly how many you need to buy per pound. The number of ribs in a package varies quite a bit. To make sure you buy the right quantity, it helps to understand more about short ribs and how to estimate serving sizes.
The Basics on Beef Short Ribs
Before we look at how many ribs make up a pound, let’s cover some short rib basics:
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Beef short ribs come from the belly/plate, chuck, or rib sections of the cow. They contain pieces of rib bone with meat attached.
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They’re called “short” ribs because they have less meat than a beef steak but more than other rib cuts.
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There are 3 main types – chuck, back, and plate short ribs. Back ribs are most common.
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Short ribs are best cooked low and slow through braising or grilling to break down connective tissue
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Their high fat content makes them particularly flavorful and tender when properly cooked,
Average Weight of Individual Short Ribs
The number of ribs per pound really comes down to the size of the ribs. Here are some general guidelines on short rib weights:
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Individual bone-in beef short ribs weigh 1-2 pounds each on average.
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Smaller back ribs may be around 1 pound each.
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Larger plate ribs can be up to 2 pounds each.
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Boneless short rib cuts weigh around 1⁄2 pound each typically.
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There is around a 10% weight variance between similarly sized ribs.
So if you buy a 2-pound package of bone-in beef short ribs, you’ll likely get 1-2 ribs total in that pack.
Calculating How Many Ribs You Need
If you’re cooking short ribs as a main course, plan for 1-11⁄2 ribs per person. For appetizers or mixed plates, about 12 ounces of raw ribs per guest is sufficient.
Here are some tips for buying the right amount:
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For boneless short ribs, get 1⁄2 pound per person as a main dish, less if part of a larger spread.
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Allow a bit extra for bone-in ribs – some meat shrinks off during cooking.
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Factor in the side dishes being served and how heavy they are.
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Purchase a few extra ribs more than your head count as insurance.
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Look at the package size – some premium ribs only contain 2 very large ribs per pack.
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Assume rib sizes can vary in a package by about 10% more or less.
While it may take some estimating, you’ll get better at eyeballing the right quantity of short ribs with practice. And leftovers of these delicious ribs are never a bad thing!
Cooking Perfect Short Ribs Every Time
Now that you know how many short ribs to buy per pound, let’s look at some tips for cooking them to perfection:
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Choose a flavorful braising liquid like red wine, beef broth or tomato sauce. Fruit-forward red wines work well.
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Generously season ribs with salt, pepper and spices or a dry rub before cooking.
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Quickly sear ribs before braising to develop a nice crust.
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Allow at least 1-2 hours of braising time for ribs to become fall-off-the-bone tender.
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Flip ribs periodically while braising to ensure even cooking.
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Let ribs rest 5-10 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute evenly.
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Slice ribs between bones to serve, or serve whole bones and let guests cut their own portions.
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Pair ribs with egg noodles, roasted veggies, crusty bread and robust red wines like Cabernet or Zinfandel.
With the knowledge of how many juicy, meaty short ribs are in a pound, you’ll be ready to wow guests at your next dinner party. Slow-cooked short ribs are sure to satisfy any hearty appetite!
Where Do Short Ribs Come From?
The best beef short ribs come from the chuck primal where the marbled serratus ventralis muscle is thickest. The serratus ventralis muscle starts near the second rib and goes over most of the cow’s rib cage. As it stretches to the rump, it gets thinner.
Short ribs can also come from the brisket, plate, and rib sections. While short ribs from these sections are less expensive, theyre also less flavorful.
What Do Short Ribs Look Like?
What short ribs look like depends on their cut. English-style beef short ribs look like single-boned, small, square chunks of meat. Flanken beef short ribs look like long, three-boned strips with generous meat portions between each rib.
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FAQ
How many beef ribs are in a pound?
How many pounds of short ribs for 2 people?
How much do beef short ribs weigh?
How many pounds of short ribs to feed 4 people?
How much does a beef short rib weigh?
Beef ribs, on the other hand, are typically huge—and most of the time, the meat will still be attached to the bone. One pound of beef short ribs should yield about 1 to 1-1/2 servings. Depending on what type of short rib you buy (see below), each rib should weigh between 1 to 2 pounds.
How many short ribs per person?
Depending on the size and weight of the short ribs, a per-person estimate of 1 to 3 short ribs is recommended. Some beef short ribs weigh nearly 2 pounds apiece, so even when the meat is cooked, a single rib would constitute a generous serving.
How much beef ribs should a person eat?
For smaller, boneless cuts, we usually follow the rule of thumb of 1/2 pound per person. Beef ribs, on the other hand, are typically huge—and most of the time, the meat will still be attached to the bone. One pound of beef short ribs should yield about 1 to 1-1/2 servings.
How much beef short rib should I Cook per person?
For ease of reference, aim for around 12oz. of beef short rib uncooked per person if they accompany other meats and sides. If without hearty sides, aim for 1½ lb. per person, if they are to be the main event. This might sound a lot, but they will shrink some 25%+ during cooking, and some of that weight is inedible bone.