How Much Meat Can You Expect on a Pork Rib?

Pork ribs are a staple for backyard barbecues and a favorite comfort food for many. But have you ever wondered just how much edible meat is actually on those meaty bones? In this article we’ll break down the typical ounce yield for different cuts of pork ribs.

An Overview of Pork Rib Basics

Before diving into the meat counts, let’s do a quick overview of the different types of pork ribs:

• Baby back ribs – Taken from the top part of the ribcage near the spine. They are shorter and curve more than other rib types.

• Spare ribs – From the belly side or bottom of the pig. They are longer and flatter than other rib cuts.

• Country-style ribs – Cut from the blade end of the loin. They contain more meat and fat compared to other ribs.

• St. Louis Style ribs – Spareribs with the cartilage tips trimmed off to create a rectangular shape.

Pork ribs can come with or without the bone. Boneless country-style ribs are sometimes labeled “riblets.” For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on bone-in ribs.

Average Ounces of Meat Per Rib

The amount of edible meat you get from pork ribs depends on a few factors:

• Type of rib cut
• Size of the ribs
• Cooking method

As a general guideline:

• Baby back ribs yield around 1-2 ounces of meat per rib

• Spareribs yield approximately 2-3 ounces of meat per rib

• Country-style ribs yield 3-4 ounces of meat per rib

However, sizes can vary quite a bit based on the hog and butcher. You may find small spareribs with just 1.5 ounces of meat or jumbo country-style ribs with over 5 ounces each.

Estimating Ounces Per Rack

For easier meal planning and shopping, it’s helpful to estimate the total meat ounces you can expect from a full rack of ribs:

• Full baby back rack (10-13 ribs) = 10-26 ounces

• Full sparerib rack (10-13 ribs) = 20-39 ounces

• Half rack of either = Approximately 5-13 ounces

Again, these totals can fluctuate up or down depending on rib sizes and cooking methods. Slow, moist cooking techniques like braising, stewing, or smoking generally yield more edible meat than high-heat grilling.

Comparing Pork Ribs to Beef Ribs

Pork ribs tend to be smaller and easier to handle than beef ribs:

• A typical pork sparerib weighs around 6 ounces.

• An individual beef short rib can weigh 1 pound or more.

So if you’re feeding a crowd, pork ribs may be a more manageable choice than giant beef ribs. You can allow 1-2 pork ribs per person, while beef ribs often need to be portioned or shared.

Key Factors Affecting Meat Quantity

Several factors influence just how many ounces of meat you’ll get off a rack of pork ribs:

1. Rib size and shape

• Wider, meatier ribs contain more edible meat.

• Longer ribs have more surface area.

• Thicker ribs take longer to cook tender.

2. Butcher trimming

• Excess fat, cartilage, and membranes trimmed by the butcher removes weight.

• “Competition-style” ribs with maximum trim look neat but yield less meat.

3. Cooking method

• Moist cooking methods produce more tender meat that easily pulls off the bone.

• Grilling directly over high heat can cause meat to shrink and dry out, reducing yield.

4. Degree of doneness

• Cooked to fall-off-the-bone tends to maximize meat.

• Overcooking leads to dryness and meat that sticks to the bone rather than pulling off.

5. Skill level

• Experienced rib eaters get more meat off the bones. Beginners leave more meat behind.

Tips for Maximizing Your Meat Quantity

If you really want to get the most ounces of meat from your rack of pork ribs, follow these tips:

• Choose wider, thicker ribs when possible.

• Go for spareribs or country-style over baby backs.

• Opt for minimal butcher trimming.

• Use moist, low-and-slow cooking methods like smoking, braising, or stewing.

• Cook until tender but not overdone. The meat should slide cleanly off the bone.

• Carefully remove every last bit of meat with forks, knives, and your fingers.

With the right cut, cooking method, and eating technique, you can devour every delicious ounce!

Sample Meal Plan with Pork Rib Amounts

To see how pork rib meat quantities come into play when planning meals, here is a sample menu:

Backyard Pork Rib Dinner for 4 People

• Main Dish:

  • 2 racks St. Louis-style spareribs (approx. 24-32 ounces total)
  • BBQ sauce

• Sides:

  • 1 lb potato salad
  • 1 lb coleslaw
  • Corn on the cob
  • Dinner rolls

• Dessert:

  • Pecan pie

With around 1/2 pound of pork ribs per person, plus ample sides and dessert, this is sure to be a filling feast. The ribs can be cut or portioned into individual servings.

The Takeaway on Ounces per Pork Rib

When planning your next pork rib dinner, keep these ounce estimates handy:

• Baby back ribs: 1-2 oz meat per rib

• Spareribs: 2-3 oz per rib

• Country-style: 3-4 oz per rib

• Full rack: 10-39 oz total

Choose meatier rib cuts, optimize your cooking method, and pick the ribs clean for maximum meat. And enjoy every juicy, flavorful ounce!