Pork ribs are a classic barbecue food that can be found on menus and dinner tables across America. Their tender, juicy meat with finger-licking barbecue sauce makes them a crowd favorite. But if you’re cooking pork ribs for a group or trying to estimate how much to purchase, you may be wondering how many ribs come in a standard one pound package. In this article, we’ll break down the serving sizes to give you a clear picture of how many pork ribs to expect per pound.
Before diving into the numbers, let’s start with a quick overview of pork ribs Pork ribs come from the ribs of a hog and are available in a few different cuts
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Baby back ribs – From the top of the ribcage near the spine. More tender and smaller.
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Spare ribs – From the belly and side of the ribcage. More fat and cartilage
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Country-style ribs – Cut from the upper rib and loin. More meaty
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St. Louis-style ribs – Trimmed spareribs for uniform shape.
Pork ribs have a high fat content, which keeps them moist during cooking and provides robust pork flavor. They can be prepared in various ways like grilling, smoking, baking, or braising. Barbecue sauce and dry rubs are common seasonings.
Now let’s look at how a full rack of pork ribs breaks down into serving sizes by the pound.
How Many Ribs in a Rack?
A full rack of pork ribs contains a different number of ribs depending on the cut:
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Baby back ribs – 10 to 13 ribs per rack
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Spareribs – 11 to 13 ribs per rack
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St. Louis-style – 11 to 13 ribs per rack
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Country-style – Varies as they are usually sold individually
So you can expect approximately 11 to 13 ribs on a full rack for the most common cuts like baby backs, spares, and St. Louis. A rack can weigh anywhere from 1.5 pounds to over 5 pounds.
Serving Size by the Pound
When calculating the number of ribs per pound, there are a few factors to consider:
- The size and thickness of the ribs
- The amount of trimming and bone
- Whether the ribs are enhanced with added solution
Taking these variances into account, here are general guidelines for serving sizes:
- Baby back ribs – Approximately 5 ribs per pound
- Spareribs – Approximately 4 ribs per pound
- St. Louis-style – Approximately 4 ribs per pound
- Country-style – Sold individually, not by the pound
So for baby back ribs, you can expect around 5 ribs in one pound. With spareribs and St. Louis ribs, plan on approximately 4 ribs per pound. The meatier country-style ribs vary too much to estimate per pound.
Ordering Pork Ribs for a Group
When cooking for a crowd, use these serving size estimates as a starting point:
- For a small gathering of 4, order 2 racks or 4-5 pounds
- For a group of 6, aim for 4 racks or 8-10 pounds
- For large groups of 10+ people, allow 1 pound per person
And remember to factor in if you’ll have kids eating, who will likely eat less. It’s also smart to have extra ribs on hand. Having leftover ribs is better than running out of food!
Other Factors that Affect Serving Size
Beyond the cut of ribs, a few other factors can impact serving sizes:
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Enhanced vs natural – Enhanced ribs are injected with a salt solution and tend to weigh more per pound compared to all-natural pork ribs.
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Boneless vs bone-in – Boneless country-style ribs weigh more per pound than ribs with bones.
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Cooking method – Grill vs oven can cause moisture loss and affect weight.
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Butcher trimming – Excess fat/cartilage removal reduces weight.
So the cut, preparation method, and source will all play a role in the exact serving count per pound. Use the general estimates as a starting point, then adjust as needed.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Pork Ribs
Pork ribs make great leftovers! Here are some tips:
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Refrigerate leftover ribs in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
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Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
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Use barbecue sauce or broth to add moisture during reheating.
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Slice or chop ribs and add to fried rice, salads, omelets or sandwiches.
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Freeze leftovers for longer term storage. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
With the right storage, pork ribs can be enjoyed throughout the week after your barbecue feast!
Serving Up Delicious Pork Ribs
Armed with estimates for servings per pound, you can now perfectly plan your next pork rib dinner! A full rack of baby back ribs will have approximately 10-13 ribs and weigh around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. So you can expect to get about 5 individual ribs per pound. For a small gathering of 4-6 people, plan on buying 2-4 racks or 8-10 pounds total. And be sure to save any extras for mouthwatering meals throughout the week. With the right prep work, your party will be asking for seconds and thirds of these delicious barbecue pork ribs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pork Ribs
What is the most popular cut of pork ribs?
The most popular cut of pork ribs is baby back ribs, which come from the top of the rib cage near the spine. They are prized for their tenderness and flavor.
How many bones are in a rack of St. Louis ribs?
A full rack of St. Louis cut spareribs typically contains 11 to 13 bones. St. Louis ribs have the breastbone removed for a rectangular shape.
What are country-style ribs?
Country-style ribs come from the upper rib and loin area. They contain more meat and less bone than other rib cuts. Country ribs are often cut individually rather than in racks.
How long can cooked ribs last in the fridge?
Cooked ribs will last 3 to 4 days properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure to discard if they develop an off smell or flavor.
Can you reheat ribs in the microwave?
Yes, you can reheat leftover ribs in the microwave. Heat for 1-2 minutes per piece, basting with sauce to prevent drying out. Microwaving helps restore moisture and tenderness.
How much meat is on a rack of pork ribs?
A full rack of spareribs yields around 2 to 2.5 pounds of edible meat. Baby back ribs yield around 1.5 to 2 pounds of meat from a full rack, since they contain less meat between bones.
Should ribs be eaten hot or cold?
Pork ribs are best enjoyed hot straight from the grill or oven. The high fat content causes them to firm up if served cold. For maximum flavor and tenderness, serve ribs hot off the cooker.
Is pork considered a red or white meat?
Pork is classified as red meat, despite having a lighter color than beef or lamb. The red designation comes from pork’s high myoglobin content, like other red meats.
The number of ribs per pound provides helpful guidance when cooking for groups. But taste preferences and appetites are also important factors for your perfect pork rib dinner!