How Much Does a Rack of Pork Spare Ribs Weigh? A Complete Guide to Pork Rib Sizes

Pork ribs are a barbecue staple that come in many delicious varieties. Two of the most popular types of pork ribs are baby back ribs and St. Louis-style spare ribs While both make for mouthwatering barbecue, there are some key differences between them that impact their size and weight per rack If you’re wondering how much a rack of pork spare ribs weighs compared to other cuts, read on for a complete guide.

What Are Pork Spare Ribs?

Spare ribs come from the belly of the pig just below the back ribs. They are also sometimes called side ribs or St. Louis-style ribs. Spare ribs contain more fat and connective tissue than other rib cuts which makes them flavorful and tender when cooked low and slow.

The full spare rib rack contains both the spare ribs and the rib tips. The rib tips are often trimmed off before cooking because they contain mostly bone and cartilage. What remains after trimming is the rectangular St. Louis-style cut that most people recognize as spare ribs.

Compared to back ribs, spare ribs have more meat between each bone and larger bones. They also often contain uneven lengths of meat and bone. These attributes make St. Louis-style ribs heavier in weight than other rib cuts.

Average Weight of a Full Rack

A full rack of untrimmed St. Louis-style spare ribs typically weighs 2 to 2.5 pounds. Once the bony rib tips are removed, the trimmed St. Louis rack will weigh around 1.5 to 2 pounds.

Here’s a quick overview of typical pork spare rib rack weights

• Full untrimmed rack: 2 to 2.5 lbs
• Trimmed St. Louis rack: 1.5 to 2 lbs

The rack will contain 10-13 ribs, each 3 to 6 inches long. Since spare ribs have meatier bones and more fat than back ribs, they make up a heavier rack overall despite having a similar rib count.

Weight of a Half Rack

You can also purchase pork spare ribs in half rack portions. A half rack contains approximately 5-6 ribs cut from either the upper or lower part of the full rack.

A half rack of trimmed St. Louis-style spare ribs weighs approximately:

• Half rack: 12-16 ounces

While a full rack feeds 3-4 people, a half rack is a perfect single serving. The lighter weight makes half racks ideal for quick weeknight meals.

How Spare Rib Weight Compares to Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs, also known as loin back ribs, come from higher up on the pig near the spine. They have meat between the bones like spare ribs, but the bones are smaller and more curved.

Here’s how the weight of spare ribs stacks up against baby back ribs:

• Baby back full rack: 1.5-2 lbs

• St. Louis full rack: 1.5-2 lbs

• Baby back half rack: 12-16 oz

• St. Louis half rack: 12-16 oz

So while a full rack is similar in weight between the two styles, you’ll get more meat per rib with St. Louis-style spare ribs since the bones are larger. Baby back ribs often cook slightly faster than spare ribs due to their smaller size.

Factors Affecting Weight

There are a few factors that cause rib weights to vary beyond the typical size ranges:

1. Pork breed

Heritage pig breeds like Berkshire and Duroc tend to have larger and meatier bones compared to commercial breeds. The breed impacts total meat yield per rack.

2. Diet

A pig’s diet influences the thickness and fat content of their meat. Pasture-raised pigs produce more robust ribs than factory-farmed pigs.

3. Butcher’s trim

Different butchers will trim spare ribs to varying degrees when preparing St. Louis-style racks. The more meat that is trimmed off, the lighter the rack will be.

4. Rack positioning

Racks cut from the upper belly tend to be meatier, while lower racks have more bone. Upper racks will weigh slightly more than lower racks.

No matter what the weight, pork spare ribs make for outstanding barbecue. A full rack feeds about 3-4 people, while a half rack serves 1-2. For the best results, choose ribs with meaty bones and a decent amount of fat marbling throughout. Low, slow cooking brings out the juicy, tender texture that makes ribs such a hit at any cookout or barbecue joint.

Cooking Methods for Pork Spare Ribs

Pork spare ribs shine when cooked low and slow using moist heat methods. Here are some top cooking techniques:

• Smoking: Smoking spare ribs for 4-6 hours at 225-250°F imparts incredible flavor. Use wood chips like hickory, oak, or apple for the best results.

• Grilling:Indirect grilling imparts flavor from charcoal or gas while preventing burning. Cook for 4-5 hours at 300°F, flipping occasionally.

• Braising: Braise ribs in liquid like stock, wine, or juice in a Dutch oven or roasting pan at 300°F for 3-4 hours.

• Pressure cooking: Cook ribs for 45 mins-1 hour in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. They become fall-off-the-bone tender in a fraction of the time.

• Baking: Bake ribs at 300°F for 2-3 hours in the oven. Lay them on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.

Always let ribs rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking before cutting to allow juices to reabsorb. Serve them as-is, with barbecue sauce on the side, or fully sauced and caramelized. Delicious!

Popular Ways to Enjoy Pork Spare Ribs

Pork spare ribs are extremely versatile for cooking and flavors. Here are some top ways to enjoy them:

• Dry rub ribs – Coat with a spice rub before smoking for maximum flavor without sauce. Great dry rubs include salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, and paprika.

• BBQ sauced ribs – Brush with thick, sticky barbecue sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking or after smoking. Sweet, tangy, or spicy sauce provides great flavor.

• Korean kalbi ribs – Use a marinade like soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and gochujang to give ribs a Korean kalbi twist.

• Memphis wet ribs – Brush with a tomato or vinegar-based barbecue sauce before and during smoking for moist,saucy ribs.

• Rib tips – Season and smoke bony rib tips until tender and caramelized for delicious rib bites.

With such a range of cooking possibilities, it’s easy to turn a rack of pork spare ribs into a mouthwatering barbecue meal. Their generous size makes them perfect for feeding a crowd.

Buying Pork Spare Ribs

When purchasing pork spare ribs, look for racks with nice marbling between the bones and a good ratio of meat to bone. The ribs should have a fresh pork aroma without any off odors. The bones should look moist, not dried out.

You can buy full or half racks of ribs from:

• Butcher shops or meat markets
• Grocery store meat counters
• Warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club

For the best quality and freshness, shop for ribs 1-2 days before you plan to cook them. Keep ribs chilled in the fridge until ready to cook. Do not freeze raw ribs, as this negatively impacts texture. Only freeze ribs after they have been fully cooked.

With their big, meaty bones and rich pork flavor, spare ribs are always a hit at barbecues and tailgates. Understanding how much a rack weighs and how that compares to other rib cuts allows you to purchase the right quantity for your needs. A full rack provides hearty portions for a crowd, while a half rack feeds just one or two hungry rib lovers. Regardless of the specific weight, pork spare ribs rarely disappoint when cooked low and slow with plenty of smoke and seasoning.