How Many Pork Ribs Per Person Should You Cook For Your Next BBQ?

Pork ribs are a staple at many summer barbecues and parties. Their finger-licking deliciousness makes them a crowd favorite. But if you’re hosting an event how do you know how many racks of ribs to cook? You want to make sure you have enough so everyone gets their fill but not so much that you end up with a ton of wasted leftovers.

I’ll walk you through the steps to determine the right amount of pork ribs to buy and prepare per person. Following some simple guidelines will ensure your guests leave happy and satisfied without cleaning out your wallet.

Calculate How Many Racks You Need

First, determine how many people will be attending your barbecue. Keep in mind that kids under 12 will eat about half as much as adults.

Next, consider what else you’ll be serving alongside the ribs The more side dishes and other proteins you plan to offer, the less pork you’ll need per person Some fuller sides like potato salad and mac and cheese will fill people up more than lighter options like a green salad.

Here is a good starting estimate for pork ribs as the main dish

• Baby back ribs (smaller) – About 1/2 rack per person
• Spareribs – Approximately 1/3 to 1/2 rack per person
• Country-style ribs (meatier) – Around 1/3 rack per person

So for example, if you’re serving 10 people with baby back ribs as the star of the show, aim to have around 5 full racks on hand. You may need a bit less if you’ll also have chicken wings, brisket, or sausages.

Remember that a full rack of spare ribs usually has 11-13 ribs while baby backs have 10-13. You can use these numbers to fine tune your estimates if needed.

Buy The Right Amount of Raw Ribs

Now that you know approximately how many cooked racks of ribs you need, it’s time to figure out pounds of raw ribs to buy.

There will be some loss during the cooking process due to moisture loss and trimming. For boneless country-style ribs, plan on up to 30% shrinkage. With bone-in ribs like baby backs and spares, expect around 20% loss.

So if your calculations say you need 5 racks of baby back ribs for 10 people, get 6 racks of raw ribs totaling around 15 pounds to be safe. Always get a little extra – people may want seconds, and you’ll inevitably lose a few ribs during prep and cooking.

Choose The Right Rib Type

The three most common cuts of pork ribs are:

• Baby back ribs – From the upper rib cage near the spine. They’re shorter, curved, and leaner with less fat.
• Spareribs – From the belly side lower down the rib cage. They’re bigger, fattier ribs with more connective tissue.
• Country-style ribs – Cut from the part of the rib cage near the shoulder. They contain more meat and less bone.

Baby backs and spare ribs are best for grilling and barbecuing. Country-style ribs are ideal for braising, stewing, or roasting since they’re boneless.

For parties, I recommend baby back ribs or a mix of spare and baby back ribs. The smaller ribs make for easier eating. Spareribs satisfy heartier appetites but can be trickier to eat neatly.

Add Extra Ribs For Particularly Hungry Guests

If you know some of your friends have especially voracious appetites, add 1-2 extra ribs per person for them. It’s better to have a few leftovers than run out and leave people wanting more.

Similarly, increase portions if:

• You’re only serving ribs and 1-2 lighter sides
• It’s a long event and people will be returning for seconds
• Alcohol will be flowing freely – drinking tends to increase hunger
• The party is mostly teenagers or young men – they’ll eat more than the average adult

On the other hand, reduce portions if:

• You have 4 or more hearty side dishes
• Appetizers and dessert will also be served
• The gathering has mostly women and older adults – they tend to eat less

Give Yourself Enough Cooking Time

With ribs, low and slow cooking is key. Rushing the smoking or grilling process can lead to dry, overcooked meat.

Figure out the total raw weight of ribs you’re cooking. As a general guideline:

• Allow 1.5-2 hours for baby back ribs
• Plan 2-3 hours for spareribs
• Estimate 45-90 minutes for boneless country-style ribs

Build in extra time in case the ribs cook slower than expected. You want tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs, not tough leftovers.

Keep Ribs Warm Until Serving

A common barbecue challenge is having all the food ready at once, especially if your grill space is limited. Here are 3 options for keeping ribs warm after cooking until serving time:

• Insulated cooler – Place cooked ribs in foil pans in an empty, preheated cooler lined with towels.
• Oven – Wrap ribs in foil and keep warm at 175°F-200°F.
• BBQ warmer – Use a purpose-made rib warmer device to hold them at a safe temperature.

Check the internal temperature occasionally and don’t keep them warm longer than 1-2 hours. Reheating just before serving helps bring back juiciness.

Make Sure You Have Enough Plates and Cutlery

It’s easy to forget minor dining details when focused on getting the right quantity of ribs. Make sure you have:

• Plates, bowls, and cutlery for each guest
• Napkins, wet wipes, and paper towels for messy eating
• Sharp knives for cutting ribs, carving meat, etc.
• Tongs, spatulas, ladles, and serving utensils

Follow Food Safety Rules

When cooking for a crowd, food safety is critical. Follow these guidelines:

• Refrigerate raw ribs properly until ready to cook
• Wash hands, prep tools, grill, and work areas thoroughly before cooking
• Use separate utensils and platters for raw and cooked meats
• Discard marinades used on raw ribs – don’t reuse them
• Cook ribs to a safe internal temperature (145°F)
• Don’t let cooked ribs sit out for over 2 hours cumulative
• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours after cooking

Plan For Some Leftovers

Even with the most meticulous planning, you’ll often have a bit of extra food after a party. That’s why having a plan to use up leftover ribs is handy. Refrigerate and use them within 3-4 days, or freeze for 2-3 months.

Some tasty ways to repurpose leftover ribs:

• Dice and add to mac and cheese, nachos, pizza, omelets, etc.
• Make slider or taco fillings
• Chop and use in pasta sauces, fried rice, etc.
• Dice, sauce, and reheat for rib sandwiches

Enjoy Your Perfectly Portioned Pork Ribs

Armed with these tips, you can breeze through planning your next rib menu with total confidence. The right calculations take the guesswork out of how many racks of pork ribs to buy and prepare per person. Just remember to factor in sides, guests’ appetites, cook times, and food safety.

Soon you’ll be sinking your teeth into tender, saucy ribs without any left in the fridge or trash. Skilled portion planning helps make backyard barbecuing a sheer delight rather than a stressful chore. Have fun hosting while I handle the details – you’ve got the meat of it!