what does 9 oz of pork ribs look like

What Does 9 Oz Of Pork Ribs Look Like? A Simple Visual Guide

Pork ribs are a classic barbecue staple that can be found on tables and grills across America during the warm summer months. Their rich meaty flavor makes them a crowd favorite for backyard cookouts and tailgating parties. But if you’ve never cooked or eaten pork ribs before trying to visualize what a 9 oz serving actually looks like can be confusing.

In this article we’ll walk through the key characteristics of different types of pork ribs and provide simple visual comparisons so you know exactly what to expect from a 9 oz portion. Whether you are meal planning tracking calories and macros, or just want to nail your rib cooking game, understanding serving sizes is the first step.

Let’s dig in!

An Overview of Pork Rib Basics

Before we dive into what 9 oz of ribs looks like, it’s helpful to understand the different cuts of pork ribs available:

• Baby back ribs are cut from the loin near the spine and have the most tender meat and smallest bones. They are shorter and narrower than spare ribs.

• Spare ribs come from the belly and side of the pig. They are bigger and meatier with more marbling than baby backs.

• Country-style ribs are cut from the shoulder near the front legs. They contain the most bone and fat.

• St. Louis Style ribs are trimmed spare ribs with the cartilage tip removed.

So now that you know the rib basics, let’s break down that 9 oz portion!

Visualizing 9 Ounces of Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs are petite in size but pack huge flavor. A 9 oz serving of these tender ribs will include:

• 5 to 6 individual ribs
• Bones around 2 to 3 inches long
• Meat about as thick as 2 fingers

To visualize, 9 oz of baby backs is roughly equivalent in size to an average adult hand. The palm represents the rack with fingers being the individual ribs.

An easy trick is to also think of 9 oz as one average size rib bone per person if serving a group. While this does depend on appetites, it’s a good starting point for portions.

9 Ounces of Spare Ribs

Spare ribs have more girth and meat between the bones. With these heartier ribs, a 9 oz serving includes:

• 2 to 3 ribs
• Bones around 4 inches long
• Thicker meat roughly 3 fingers wide

For comparison, 9 oz of spare ribs is about the size of an adult forearm. The wrist to elbow length mimics the longer rib bones while the arm width matches the thicker rib meat.

You can also compare a single spare rib bone to the size of a smartphone or TV remote control.

Visualizing 9 Ounces of Country-Style Ribs

Country-style ribs can vary quite a bit in size and shape since they come from the pork shoulder. In general, a 9 oz serving contains:

• 1 or 2 larger rib pieces
• Heavier bone fragments throughout
• Thick chunky meat sections

Think of 9 ounces of country ribs as about the size of an average cupped hand or an adult fist. The meat and bone chunks combined are denser and heartier than other rib cuts.

For individual country ribs, a single 9 oz piece is comparable in size to a hockey puck or baseball.

Handy Serving Size Tips

To recap, here are some visual shortcuts when eyeballing 9 oz of pork ribs:

• Baby back ribs – Palm of an average adult hand
• Spare ribs – Adult forearm
• Country style – Cupped hand or fist

And for individual ribs:

• Baby backs – 1 rib per person
• Spare ribs – Smartphone length
• Country ribs – Hockey puck or baseball

Keep in mind that appetites and numbers being served impact portion sizes. It’s a good idea to have extra ribs on hand or plan boneless servings like pulled pork as well.

And be mindful of your overall calories, fat, and sodium since ribs can be high in those areas. Enjoying them in moderation is key!

Now that you know what 9 oz of pork ribs looks like for different cuts, you’ll be ready to perfectly plan and portion ribs for your next cookout. Just follow our simple visuals or use hand comparisons to nail that serving size every time.