What is Pork Spare Ribs With the Brisket Bone Removed? An In-Depth Look

Pork spare ribs are a delicious and popular cut of meat that come from the belly and side of the pig. They are meaty, flavorful, and perfect for grilling, smoking, or roasting But you may have noticed that sometimes spare ribs come with part of the brisket bone attached, and other times the brisket bone has been removed. So what exactly does “brisket bone off” mean when it comes to spare ribs?

What Part of the Pig Do Spare Ribs Come From?

Spare ribs come from the belly and side of the pig, just below the back ribs and loin. There are usually 11-13 ribs on each side. The spare ribs are also sometimes called side ribs or belly ribs. This fatty cut of meat is common in American barbecue and Chinese cuisine.

When the pig is butchered, the spare rib section is removed from the belly in one large cut. This includes both the ribs and the belly meat between them. The thin membrane on the back of the ribs is also usually removed at this point.

What is the Brisket Bone?

On a full side of spare ribs, a long, flat bone known as the brisket bone will be attached to the top portion. The brisket bone connects the spare ribs to the sternum or breastbone of the pig. It runs perpendicular to the rib bones.

The brisket bone is part of the pig’s front brisket area It does not actually contain very much meat The purpose of leaving it attached to the spare ribs is mainly structural, It helps keep the rack of ribs intact,

Why Are Spare Ribs Sometimes Sold With the Brisket Bone Removed?

There are a few reasons why spare ribs may have the brisket bone removed before being sold:

• Easier to eat: With the brisket bone gone, spare ribs are easier to cut apart with a knife and fork when eating. You don’t have to navigate around the large brisket bone.

• More accurate portion sizes: Removing the brisket allows spare ribs to be more evenly cut into individual ribs or portions.

• Easier prep: For recipes where the spare ribs need to be cut into smaller pieces or chunks, removing the brisket bone ahead of time makes this process simpler.

• Cooks more evenly: Without the brisket bone, heat and smoke can penetrate the meat more evenly during cooking.

• Saves space: Removing the brisket bone allows the ribs to be stacked and packed more tightly for storage and transport.

• Less waste: Since the brisket bone itself does not contain much edible meat, some butchers or manufacturers remove it so customers aren’t paying for excess bone.

So in most cases, brisket bone off spare ribs provide advantages for both the customer as well as the supplier.

What Do Brisket Bone Off Spare Ribs Look Like?

Brisket bone off spare ribs look similar to ribs with the brisket bone, just without the large flat bone along the top side. The rack of ribs is still held together by the rib bones themselves and the meat between them.

You will notice one end looks fairly clean cut where the brisket bone was removed. The ribs may also appear slightly shorter or more compact without the brisket bone making the rack longer.

How Are Brisket Bone Off Spare Ribs Prepared and Cooked?

Whether the brisket bone is attached or removed, spare ribs can be prepared and cooked in all the same ways, including:

• Grilling – The most popular preparation, grilled over direct heat or indirect heat. Often basted with barbecue sauce toward the end.

• Smoking – Cooked low and slow for hours in a smoker to become fall-off-the-bone tender. Hardwood smoked flavors permeate the meat.

• Braising – Simmered in liquid in a covered pot or Dutch oven until fully cooked and tender. Can be finished by grilling or broiling.

• Roasting – Seasoned and roasted uncovered in the oven. The ribs crispy up nicely this way.

• Pressure cooking – Cooked quickly under pressure. Pressure cooking breaks down the connective tissues.

• Air frying – Makes the ribs crispy and juicy without needing to deep fry them. The air fryer mimics the results of frying.

Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking. Apply a dry rub, marinade, or sauce before or after cooking. Cook times don’t need to be adjusted whether or not the brisket bone is present.

What Kind of Flavor and Texture Do You Get?

Brisket bone on or off, pork spare ribs have a similar flavor and texture when cooked. Expect tender, succulent meat that easily pulls away from the bone. The flavor will be rich, meaty, and juicy.

Any barbecue dry rub or sauce flavors will come through. Smoked spare ribs develop that irresistible smoky flavor we love. The meat between the ribs will be tender with some chew, and fat throughout keeps the ribs juicy and moist.

What Cuts of Pork Ribs Have the Brisket Bone Naturally Removed?

When you buy a rack of back ribs or baby back ribs, the brisket bone is naturally not present:

• Back ribs – Come from higher up on the ribcage closer to the spine. Only contain the rib bones.

• Baby back ribs – From the top of the spare rib section near the loin. Usually only have about 6 smaller rib bones.

• Country-style ribs – These are not actually ribs at all. They come from the shoulder near the spare rib area but contain no rib bones.

So brisket bone off only applies to spare ribs, where the brisket bone is sometimes left on or taken off before sale. Back ribs and other pork rib types never had them to begin with.

Common Questions About Brisket Bone Off Spare Ribs

Are brisket bone off spare ribs better?

This comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the versatility of brisket bone off ribs. But others like the structural integrity and heartier portions that the brisket bone provides. Both have their merits.

Does removing the brisket bone affect flavor?

It should not affect flavor noticeably. The brisket bone itself does not contain much meat or fat, so its removal does not change the overall flavor profile of the ribs. Any seasonings or sauces will still flavor the meat similarly.

How do you cook brisket bone off spare ribs?

Cook them exactly as you would ribs with the brisket bone. Apply rub, sauce, or marinade as desired. Cook using your preferred method like smoking, grilling, roasting, or braising until the meat is fully cooked and tender.

Are there any downsides to brisket bone off ribs?

Potential downsides could be that the ribs don’t hold together quite as tightly without the brisket, and portions or serving sizes are less defined. Handle them more carefully when moving them around to keep the rack intact.

Should I choose brisket bone on or off spare ribs?

It’s a matter of personal preference. If convenience and easier eating is most important, go for brisket bone off. If you don’t mind navigating around bones and want heartier rib portions, choose brisket bone on. Both can be delicious!

In Summary

Spare ribs with the brisket bone removed are simply spare ribs that have had the large, flat brisket bone taken off before being sold. This makes them easier to maneuver and cut when eating. It also helps them cook more evenly and be portioned more precisely.

A full rack of pork spare ribs with the brisket bone is perfectly tasty as well. Removing it does not significantly impact flavor or quality. Go with brisket bone on or off depending on your cooking needs and personal eating preferences. Both can make an outstanding rack of barbecue spare ribs!