People often make barbecue ribs when they have a lot of people over and want to make something quick, easy, and tasty that doesn’t require a lot of tools. But buying enough (without getting too much or too little) can be a bit of a challenge. Purchasing ribs is even more complicated by the different cuts and types of meat youll find available.
The smoker makes ribs that are tender, juicy, and full of flavor. They are one of our favorite things to cook. They also let us show off our Bearded Butcher Blend Barbecue Sauce and some of our best-selling seasoning blends. We like to switch things up every once in a while by smoking a rack of baby back ribs and barbecue beef ribs.
There are a surprising number of cuts that butchers can make from ribs. It can change how the ribs cook, how you serve them, and even how much they cost. We will explain the difference between a short rib, baby back, and spare rib if you don’t know.
Beef ribs are a delicious and popular cut of meat that come from the rib section of a steer They are commonly sold and served in full racks or half racks. But if you’re buying ribs at the grocery store or preparing them for cooking, it’s helpful to know how much a rack of beef ribs actually weighs Here’s a breakdown of the typical weight for both full and half racks of beef ribs.
Typical Weight of a Full Rack of Beef Ribs
A full rack of beef ribs generally consists of 10 to 13 ribs and weighs between 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. A rack with 10 ribs on it might come in at the lower end of that range, while a 13-rib rack would likely weigh closer to the full 2 pounds. Here are some more details on full rack weights
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A smaller, lighter full rack may weigh about 1.4 to 1.6 pounds.
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Most full racks you find at the grocery store will be in the 1.6 to 1.8 pound range.
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High quality prime rib racks or those from larger steers may weigh up to 2 to 2.2 pounds.
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The length of the individual ribs in a rack can vary from 3 to 6 inches each.
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Rack shape and thickness of the ribs can also affect weight slightly.
So when purchasing a full slab of beef ribs, expect it to weigh somewhere between 1 1/2 to 2 pounds on average, with the larger/meatier racks hitting the higher end of that scale. If following a recipe, you may want to choose your rack accordingly.
Typical Weight of a Half Rack of Beef Ribs
A half rack of beef ribs typically consists of just 5 to 6 ribs cut from a full rack. Because it contains fewer ribs, a half rack weighs significantly less than a full version. Here’s what to expect:
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A half rack of beef ribs generally weighs 12 to 16 ounces.
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Petite or shorter half racks may start around 12 ounces.
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Most standard half racks weigh 14 to 15 ounces.
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Large, meaty half racks may go up to 1 pound or slightly over.
So when cooking with a half rack, plan for it to be around 1 pound or slightly less. Half racks are great for single servings, while a full rack is better for sharing.
Key Factors That Affect Rack Weight
There are a few key factors that contribute to the total weight of beef rib racks:
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Number of ribs – Rack weight increases with more ribs. Full racks have 10-13 ribs while half racks contain 5-6.
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Rib size – The overall size and thickness of the individual ribs impacts weight. Larger ribs mean more meat and weight.
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Bone weight – The size and density of the rib bones themselves also add weight.
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Amount of meat – How much meat is attached to the bones greatly affects the heft. More tender meat = heavier rack.
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Steer size – Ribs from larger steers and prime cuts will generally be heavier.
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Butcher trimming – Excess fat/meat trimmed by the butcher lightens the rack.
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Cooking method – Wet cooking methods may add absorbed moisture and increase final cooked weight.
So rack weight ranges are general guidelines, but cut, trim, and steer size contribute to weight variances.
Average Weight Loss When Cooking Beef Ribs
Beef ribs will usually lose a significant portion of their raw weight during cooking as moisture evaporates. Here are some estimates for how much a rack may shrink:
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Oven cooking – Can reduce weight by 15 to 30%. A 1.5 lb raw rack may weigh just 1 to 1.25 lbs after roasting.
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Grilling – Often loses 25 to 35% cooking over high dry heat. That 2 lb rack could drop to 1.3 to 1.5 lbs.
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Smoking – May lose up to 30% but can gain weight if soaked up lots of moisture.
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Braising – Will lose the least amount, around 15 to 25% since it cooks in liquid.
The cooking time, temperature, and method all impact final weight. But in most cases, expect the cooked rack to weigh around a quarter to a third less than raw.
Typical Serving Size for Rack of Beef Ribs
How much should you expect a rack of beef ribs to feed? Here are some general serving estimates:
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A full rack (1.5 to 2 lbs) will provide 4 to 5 servings.
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A half rack (.75 to 1 lb) yields 2 to 3 servings.
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Plan on around 1/2 to 3/4 pound of ribs per adult serving.
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Appetizer-sized portions may be 3 to 4 oz of ribs (about 1 small rib).
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Kid-sized servings are approximately 1/4 to 1/3 pound of ribs.
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Leftovers are great for sandwiches, salads, beans, and more!
These serving sizes can fluctuate some based on appetite and how the ribs are served. But in most cases, you can expect a generously-sized full rack to feed about 4 hungry adults.
Knowing typical rack weights and serving sizes is helpful for planning quantities when shopping and cooking. With this guide, you can better estimate how many racks to buy and how much to serve up!
Popular Types of Rib Cuts
Meaty ribs are a delicacy that is tender and succulent when cooked properly. However, over-cooked, ribs tend to be tough, chewy, and hard to eat. Knowing the right way to cook them depends on the cut you are working with.
If you want to make baby back ribs, you cut them from where the ribs meat the spine until they just turn down. This is the cut that everyone loves. Most of the time, they have the biggest bones and the least meat between each one. However, the meat inside is the most tender and tasty. It’s because prime rib roast comes from the same area as store-bought baby back ribs that they often have very little meat left over.
Short ribs are cut from the rib tips that run from the sternum back. They are usually about three inches long and contain thin bones and cartilage. There is the most meat in this cut of ribs, but it is also the toughest and least flavorful.
The spare ribs are the ribs that go from the end of the baby back ribs to the short ribs. Youll frequently see these sold in cryovac packaging with the short ribs attached. These are meatier than baby back ribs and more flavorful than short ribs.
Beyond the Basics: Other Types of Ribs
The above types of ribs cover most of the cuts you’ll find, but there are some specialty cuts you might come across once in a while.
Popular in Asian cuisine, flanken ribs are cut across the bones rather than between. You can get these thin-cut, and they taste great when cooked quickly over medium-high heat or slowly in the oven.
Types of Beef Ribs Explained
FAQ
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