Juicy tender pork ribs are a crowd-pleasing BBQ staple. But if you’re new to cooking ribs picturing what 4 ounces looks like can be tricky. In this guide, we’ll provide photos of 4 ounce rib portions to help you visualize and estimate amounts.
Whether smoking racks of ribs or preparing individual portions, this visual rib guide takes the guesswork out of serving sizes. Read on to learn what 4 ounces of pork ribs looks like based on different cuts.
An Overview of Pork Ribs
Before looking at portion sizes, let’s briefly go over the different pork rib cuts:
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Baby back ribs – From the upper ribcage near the spine Most tender and lean,
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Spare ribs – From the belly side of ribcage. Meatier with more fat.
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St. Louis ribs – Trimmed spare ribs with cartilage removed.
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Country-style ribs – Meaty ribs from the shoulder.
Pork ribs can be cooked whole in racks or cut into individual ribs. Nutrition varies slightly between cuts but generally 4 ounces provides:
- 200-300 calories
- 12-16g fat
- 12-15g protein
Now let’s look at what 4 ounces of ribs looks like for different styles and cuts.
Baby Back Pork Ribs
Baby back ribs are smaller and leaner than other rib cuts. Here’s what 4 ounces looks like:
- 2-3 individual baby back ribs
- 1/2 rack of baby back ribs (around 5 ribs)
![4 Ounces of Baby Back Pork Ribs][]
Aim for ribs around the size of your palm. Smaller is better for estimating 4 ounces.
St. Louis Style Pork Ribs
St. Louis ribs have had the rib tips trimmed off. 4 ounces is:
- 2-3 middle St. Louis ribs
- 1/4 rack (5-6 ribs)
![Plate with 4 Ounces of St. Louis Pork Ribs][]
The flat shape of St. Louis ribs makes visualizing 4 ounces easier.
Spare Ribs
Spare ribs are from the belly and can vary in size. For 4 ounces:
- Allow 2-3 ribs near the middle
- 1/4 rack (around 6 ribs)
![4 Ounces of Pork Spare Ribs][]
Pick ribs on the smaller side when estimating 4 ounce portions.
Country-Style Pork Ribs
Country-style ribs are meaty pieces from the shoulder. For 4 ounces:
- 1 smaller country-style rib
- 1/2 of a larger rib
![Plate with 1 Country-Style Pork Rib][]
These ribs are often sold individually, so estimating size is straightforward.
Tips for Eyeballing 4 Ounces of Ribs
Estimating rib amounts takes practice. Keep these tips in mind:
- Weigh ribs raw on a kitchen scale for an accurate baseline
- Note the number of ribs equal to 4 ounces for easy counting
- Visualize 1-2 ounce portions and double for 4 ounces
- For racks, divide into quarters mentally
- Pick ribs on the smaller side
- Take photos of 4 ounce amounts for later reference
Don’t worry about being exact – with time and repetition you’ll improve at eyeballing amounts.
Delicious Ways to Cook 4 Ounces Pork Ribs
Now that you know what 4 ounces of ribs looks like, here are tasty ways to cook them:
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BBQ Ribs – Rub with a spice blend and slowly smoke or bake.
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Rib sandwiches – Chop ribs and pile onto buns with sauce.
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Rib tacos – Chop ribs and add to tacos with slaw and sauce.
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Rib pasta – Toss chopped ribs with tomato sauce and pasta.
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Rib stir fry – Cook sliced ribs in a savory stir fry.
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Rib soup – Simmer chopped ribs in bean or veggie soup.
You can adjust any recipe by using the photos above to estimate the right rib amount. Understanding portion sizes makes cooking much simpler. Next time ribs are on the menu, you’ll know exactly what 4 ounces looks like on the plate or grill.
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FAQ
How many ounces is one pork rib?
How many ounces is 1 rack of ribs?
How many calories are in 4 ounces of pork ribs?
How big is a serving of pork ribs?
What does 4 ounces of meat look like?
Four ounces of meat is a standard serving size recommended by many nutritionists and health experts. But what exactly does four ounces of meat look like? Let’s break it down. For most types of meat, four ounces is generally about the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand.
How much meat is on a pork rib?
To calculate how much meat is on a pork rib, you can use the average yield of 4 ounces per half rack as a starting point. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is just an estimate and can vary depending on the size and cut of the rib. If you’re working with spare ribs, you can expect each rib to yield about 2-3 ounces of meat.
Are all pork ribs the same?
Not all pork ribs are created equal. They are different sizes, yield different amounts of meat, and need different techniques and times to cook them. Learn all about spares, baby backs, St Louis ribs, and more in our guide to the different types of pork ribs.
What do you need to know about pork ribs?
Here are 6 Things You Need to Know About Pork Ribs: 1. Pork ribs come in many cuts, shapes, and sizes. Baby back ribs: Cut from “high off the hog” (next to the backbone), these are tender, well marbled, and quick and easy to cook. A full slab has 11 to 13 bones.