Beef Ribs vs Pork Ribs – What’s The Difference?

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Want to know the different between beef ribs and pork ribs?

Ribs are delicious, whether they are grilled on the barbecue, baked in the oven. But, let’s say you want to cook a rack of ribs by yourself, instead of ordering them from a restaurant menu.

First things first, you have to learn about the different types of ribs you can buy.

Today we’re comparing beef ribs vs. pork ribs to learn the differences and the similarities— from the cut, size, taste, price, and best cooking method.

The Difference Between Pork Ribs and Beef Ribs.

Pork ribs and beef ribs have very different textures and flavors and textures.

Beef ribs, have a rich taste with stronger flavors and due to the marbled meat that becomes incredibly tender when smoked.

Pork ribs, are more succulent and tender, with a sweeter flavor which is often amped up for rubs or marinades.

In regards to cooking time, pork ribs cook quicker whereas beef ribs demand more time to achieve their bark and fall apart texture.

Below we will go into depth about the different types of beef and pork ribs as well as the taste, size and cooking methods for each.

Everything You Need To Know About Pork Ribs

Pork ribs are one of the most common and popular kinds of ribs.

And why wouldn’t they be? The method of cooking them can be incredibly versatile, as they taste excellent slow-cooked, or grilled and smoked.

Types of Pork Ribs

There are many different types of cuts when it comes to pork ribs. The two main ones include baby back ribs and spare ribs. The difference between the two is that these cuts originate from different parts of the pig. 

Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs aren’t from baby pigs, they are from the upper area of the rib cage and they’re closer to the spine. Due to their location,  these ribs have a shorter bone. Hence, their name ‘baby back’.

Baby ribs have leaner meat and they generally have low-fat content. There is another type of Baby Back ribs, they are the Danish ribs. They are a slighter smaller cut.

Our Favorite Baby Back Ribs Reciupe

Want guaranteed perfect fall-off-the-bone succulent meat every time? Follow my recipe for smoked baby back ribs on a pellet grill. No need to babysit your smoker all day for the perfect ribs!

Spare Ribs

Spare ribs are the cuts located lower and closer to the pig’s belly. Because of this, they are generally longer in length. This cut of meat makes for more tender ribs, as it has more fat, and it ultimately provides for a juicier texture. 

St Louis Style Ribs

The third cut of pork ribs would include the St Louise-style ribs. These are a variation of pork spareribs. They’re specifically cut into a rectangular shape.

And their tips, odd bits of bone, or any unnecessary amounts of cartilage are removed. These cuts aren’t available everywhere, so you might have to chop them yourself!

It’s important to note that different cuts of pork greatly affect the flavor and texture of the meat.

Taste of Pork Ribs

Much like pork chops or any kind of pork meat, the flavor of pork ribs can be described as ‘mild’ — especially when compared to the strong flavor of beef.

Pork ribs don’t have an inherently intense flavor on their own, this means that you can season them and ensure that they suit your taste buds.

Whether you roast them or cook them over wood chips, pork ribs tend to absorb any additional salty or sweet flavors, instead of overpowering it with a ‘porky’ taste.

Size of Pork Ribs

A rack of ribs can consist of 10 to 13 ribs and a half rack of ribs contain 6-7 ribs. Depending on the cut and size of the pig, pork ribs can vary in lengths — between 3 to 6 inches. If you’re looking for smaller ribs that are easier to hold and eat, then pork ribs are the way to go.

The Best Cooking Method for Pork Ribs

In terms of cooking, there’s no ‘ultimate’ cooking method for pork ribs. However, rib experts will certainly point out that a sign of good ribs is when the meat ‘falls off the bone’.

Whether, ribs are slow-cooked, barbecued, or oven-baked, you want the meat to just fall away from the bone. For this to happen, it is always important to maintain a low cooking temperature.

Remember, “low and slow”.

Below are a few of my quick steps to perfect pork ribs

• First, you’ll want to prep your ribs. This includes removing excess fat or flaps of meat.
• Then marinade or brine your ribs
• Then it’s time for the smoker. The time and temperature can vary depending on your recipe, cut and preference, a typical rib cook takes around 5-7 hours, with temperature hovering between 220 to 250F.

Note: If you end up with leftovers, make sure you learn how to reheat ribs the right way. Otherwise you will end up with dry and chewy ribs!

A easy method that both beginners and seasoned pit master use is the 3-2-1 method, it super simply

• 3 hours in the smoke unwrapped
• 2 hours wrapped in the smoke
• 1 hour unwrapped at a hotter temperature. In your final hour is when you add any sauces

What Wood To Use for Pork Ribs

We like to use milder flavor wood for pork. So go for fruit woods such as apple and cherry wood.

When Are Pork Ribs Safe to Eat?

Pork is ready and safe to eat at 145F, however they will be more tender at around 195F

Fat Content of Pork Ribs

4 ounces of pork ribs total to 11.3 grams of fat and add up to 200 calories. Between pork ribs and beef ribs, pork ones are certainly lower in fat.

If your watching your fat intake but you’d still like to enjoy pork ribs, baby back ribs are the way to go. This is because they are meatier and have less fat when compared to spare ribs.

Price of Pork Ribs

In terms of price, pork will always be cheaper than beef. Why? There are many different factors. Pigs are easier to raise and breed because their feed is cheaper and they’re smaller in size.

Hence, pork ribs are more affordable compared to beef ribs. However, ribs are generally regarded as expensive cuts of meat, due to their sheer popularity and the fact that you’re purchasing a relatively small amount of meat — you’re paying for the bone too!

Recommended For You:
Essential Side Dishes for BBQ Ribs
How Many Ribs (and other foods) To Cook for a Crowd

Everything You Need To Know About Beef Ribs

If you’re a fan of beef steak, you’ll love beef ribs. The meat texture and taste are similar, as in it’s chewy, tough, and has a ‘beefy’ taste.

With that being said, beef ribs can also have a softer meat texture, depending on how you cook it. Once braised or slow-cooked, the meat is sure to just slide off the bone.

Type of Beef Ribs

Are beef short ribs and spare ribs the same? Yes, they are. And no, they’re not.

Technically, they are the same piece of meat, but where they differ is how they are cut. Let’s discuss the difference between beef short ribs and spare ribs.

Want a delicious recipe? Here is my favorite beef ribs recipe, this method always comes out juicy and succulent.

Short Ribs

Beef short ribs are shorter in length compared to back ribs. They form the lower ribs and have more meat. Many argue that short ribs are more flavorful too.

Beef Back Ribs

Beef back ribs have a longer rib bone and they have less meat and more fat in comparison to short ribs — which often makes them less desirable. This type of cut can also be referred to as beef spare ribs. 

Taste of Beef Ribs

Beef ribs have a stronger smell and taste. Some people may find it a bit too over-powering and a little ‘gamey’.

However, once marinated, spiced, and cooked appropriately, beef ribs should taste as delicious as a piece of steak. If you enjoy a ‘meatier’ tasting rib, then beef ribs are the ones for you!

Size of Beef Ribs

They’re certainly larger than the size of pork ribs. A typical rack of beef ribs consists of approximately 9 ribs. Once again, the length of a beef rib varies according to its specific cut.

However, an average size would include a rib bone that is around 7 to 8 inches long. Since cows are inherently larger than pigs, beef ribs are almost always larger than pork ones.

The Best Cooking Method for Beef Ribs

There are many different ways to cook beef ribs — smoked, oven-baked, grilled, braised, the options are endless! However, the best and most reliable cooking method would most likely point to the ‘3-2-1′ technique.

Smoke them for 3 hours, wrap them in foil for 2 hours, then place them in sauce and grill them for the last hour.

Fat Content of Beef Ribs

Beef ribs have a higher fat content. 4 ounces of beef ribs consist of 249.3 calories and 12.9 grams of fat. While this might be bad news for your waistline, the extra fat in beef means that it’s certainly naturally tastier than pork.

Price

Beef prices will always be higher than the price of pork meat This is because raising and farming cattle requires more work compared to breeding pigs.

The price of beef ribs has certainly increased over the years, due to their rise in popularity — especially around festive periods like Thanksgiving or Christmas. However, beef ribs remain as a more luxurious cut of meat.

Recommended For You:
Essential Side Dishes for BBQ Ribs
How Many Ribs (and other foods) To Cook for a Crowd

Spritzing Ribs

The best option truly depends Whether you are cooking pork or beef ribs you need to spritzx them

Sere the best what to spritz your ribs with here.

Pork Ribs Vs. Beef Ribs – What is The Best Option?

The best option truly depends on what you want from your ribs.

What’s your budget like?
Are you looking for a healthier option?
How would you like to cook your ribs?

If you’re going after a particular taste, or you have a specific marinate that you like, pork ribs are a lot more customizable compared to beef ribs.

Cooking Brisket?
Did you know that there is a pork and beef brisket?

Two Delicious Beef Rib Recipes

There are thousands of yummy beef ribs recipes, we have scoured the web and found some of the best ones!

1. Cherry Cola Glazed Ribs

When you think ribs can’t get any better, someone goes and does a cherry cola glaze recipe.

Its sweet and savory and all you could want in a succulent rib recipe.

Want to have a go at it? See the recipe here

2. Coffee-Rubbed Short Rib

Coffee rubbed on beef?? Yes it delicious and strange but it seems to work. Try our favourite recipe here

2 Delicious Pork Rib Recipes

Can’t pick the best pork rib recipe? Don’t worry our professional taste testers have you covered!

1. Mango-Glazed Baby Back Ribs

Mango and pork?

Don’t stress the flavor combination is incredible and you will be coming back to this recipes again and again! See the recipe here

2. Chocolate Chile BBQ Ribs

If Meathead over at Amazing Ribs comes out with a recipe we listen, this guy is a grilling genius, see him cover ribs with chocolate chili BBQ sauce here (drooling is allowed).

Hopefully I answered all your burning questions about pork and beef ribs.

Now it time to put it into practice and try some of our favorite recipes

Smoke On!

Charlie

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