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Types of Ribs

What’s the difference between baby back, spareribs and loin back ribs?

What’s the difference between baby back, spareribs and loin back ribs?

Depending on the rib recipe, you may find yourself searching your local meat department for baby back, spareribs or loin back ribs. So what’s the difference? Spareribs come from the fatty belly of the pig and are quite large (upwards of 4 pounds per rack), and baby back ribs come from the loin area near the backbone and are considerably smaller (only 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 pounds per rack) and leaner. If baby back ribs are unavailable, loin back ribs make a great substitute. They are cut from the same area as baby back ribs but are slightly larger (up to 2 1/4 pounds per rack).

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