Have you ever wondered what kind of meat baby back ribs are made from? It’s important to know what you’re eating, but when it comes to certain kinds of meat, it’s easy to be unsure, so let’s find out a bit more about this.
Are baby back ribs pork or beef? Baby back ribs are made from pork, not beef. They are taken from the upper back of the hog, where the ribs meet the backbone, and they are usually lean, with shorter bones than spare ribs. Baby back ribs taste delicious and are often highly sought after meat.
Are Baby Back Ribs Pork or Beef?
You should always find that baby back ribs are pork, and this term is not used to refer to cuts of beef. You might find the occasional person who uses the term “baby back ribs” to refer to both beef and pork, but this would be unusual and generally not considered correct.
Occasionally, even restaurants may refer to beef ribs using this term, but usually, they will specify that they mean beef if they are going to use it. If no explanation is offered, you should assume that they are referring to pork.
You can also determine whether you are eating pork or beef by looking at the shape of the ribs. Pork ribs will be square and have square corners, while beef ribs will have rounded corners and are rectangular in shape instead. If you think about the anatomical differences between a pig and a cow, you will probably be able to see why this is the case.
That means you can check whether ribs are pork or beef just by looking at them, but you can still use the term “baby back” to guess that the meat is most likely to be pork.
Where Do Baby Back Ribs Come From?
Baby back ribs are the meat that comes from the upper part of the animal’s loin. They are smaller than spare ribs, and also tend to be softer and more enjoyable. These ribs do not have a lot of connective tissue between them, and this connective tissue may make other kinds of ribs tough – so its absence is an asset for the food.
The leanness of the meat helps to ensure that the cut is tender and melts in the mouth, and it means that baby back ribs are among the most luxurious cuts available.
Are Baby Back Ribs the Same as Spare Ribs?
A lot of people confuse these two terms or try to use them interchangeably. However, baby back ribs are not the same as spare ribs. Spare ribs come from the belly of the pig, and the term refers to the bottom half of the ribs, which are long and triangular. Baby back ribs are taken from the upper part of the ribs, which is why the bones are shorter.
Spare ribs are fattier and tougher than baby back ribs, because they come from the area around the pig’s lungs. These muscles are constantly utilized as the pig breathes and moves around – while the back muscles are not. The muscles that are used toughen up, and this can make the meat surrounding the belly ribs tough.
This part of the pig also contains more cartilage, which again makes the meat harder to eat, and a little less enjoyable. Spare ribs are still considered delicious by many people, but they are not as luxurious as baby back ribs, and if cooked badly, they can be chewy and unpleasant.
Where Did the Term “Baby Back” Come From?
The term “baby back” refers to two different things – the size of the ribs and the location that they come from. They are called “baby” because these ribs are noticeably shorter than spare ribs. They are called “back” because they come from the pig’s back, rather than its flanks or belly. The term is therefore a good description of the meat.
People need to be able to differentiate between the various rib cuts that can be got from pigs, because there’s a big difference in the experience of eating them. Without the correct term that identifies what the meat is and where it comes from, it would be difficult for diners to choose their meals correctly.
Do Baby Back Ribs Come from Baby Pigs?
No, they come from adult pigs. The term “baby” is strictly a reference to the ribs being shorter than those cut from the belly. Piglets are not used to create baby back ribs; you will be consuming meat from an adult hog.
How Big are Baby Back Ribs?
Baby back ribs tend to be around 6 inches long at one end, and only around 3 inches long at the other end. They may still have some loin attached, but this depends upon how the pig was butchered.
The size of the ribs may vary somewhat, but this should give you a general rule through which to identify them. Ribs that seem too large are likely spare ribs, or may be beef back ribs.
What are Beef Back Ribs?
Beef back ribs are pretty similar to baby back ribs, but – as you might guess – the term refers to beef, rather than pork. Again, this kind of meat has been cut from the upper back of the cow, rather than the lower stomach area.
Beef back ribs, like baby back, tend to be softer meat and may be more highly sought after. If you prefer the flavor of beef to the flavor of pork but you like the tenderness of baby back ribs, consider ordering beef back ribs instead. You should find that the two are highly comparable, and you can then enjoy whichever you prefer.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of different terms when it comes to handling the various cuts of meat, and if you’re struggling, try to remember that baby back ribs are the tenderest cut of pork, taken from the back of the animal. They may be the most expensive option, as they are a smaller and more luxurious cut.