A rack of ribs refers to a set of ribs served together as a dish. Ribs are cut from the rib cage of pigs, cows, or other animals. The size of a rack can vary based on the animal it comes from and how it is cut. Generally speaking, a full rack contains a set of bones from one side of the rib cage. Knowing the typical size of a rack is useful when shopping for and cooking ribs.
Typical Rack Sizes
The typical size of a rack of ribs depends on the type of ribs:
Pork Ribs
Pork ribs come from pigs and are a very popular choice for barbecued ribs. A full rack of pork spare ribs contains the bones and meat from one side of the rib cage, usually about 13-15 bones. Typical dimensions are:
– Length: 13-18 inches
– Width: 6-8 inches
– Weight: 2-4 pounds
Baby back ribs are a smaller cut taken from the top of the pork loin. A rack has 10-13 bones and weighs around 1.5-2.5 pounds.
Beef Ribs
Beef ribs come from cows. There are two main types:
Short ribs – A full rack contains 6-8 bones cut across the rib section. Dimensions are about 15-18 inches long and 8-12 inches wide. Weight is around 5 pounds.
Back ribs – A full rack is all the ribs from one side, usually about 13 bones. Dimensions are 18-24 inches long and 8-12 inches wide. Weight is 6-10 pounds.
Other Types of Ribs
Other animal types:
– Lamb – A rack has 8-12 bones and weighs around 1-2 pounds.
– Goat – A rack has 10-13 bones and is 1-2 pounds.
– Bison – A full rack has 10-13 bones and is around 3-5 pounds.
Rack Sizes by Number of Servings
The number of people that a rack of ribs will serve also impacts sizing. Some general guidelines:
– For 2 servings, look for racks with 6-8 bones
– For 4 servings, look for 10-13 bones
– For 6-8 servings, target full racks of 13-15 bones
These serving estimates vary based on appetite. With meatier cuts like beef ribs, one rack may provide fewer servings.
Factors Affecting Rack Size
There are several factors that affect the size and number of bones in a rack:
Animal Size
The overall size of the animal impacts rib sizing. Larger hogs, steers, etc. will yield bigger racks.
Breed
Some breeds are genetically larger or meatier than others. For example, Berkshire pork is known for its generous marbling and tender meat.
Age
The animal’s age affects bone development. Older, fully grown animals will have larger bones and more meat than young ones.
sex
Males tend to grow larger and have bigger bone structure than females. This can result in more substantial rib racks.
Cutting Style
Butchers may cut ribs in varying styles, impacting the number of bones per rack. Some may split full racks into smaller sections.
Region
Regional and cultural preferences lead to differences in cutting styles. Ribs in some BBQ regions may be larger or smaller.
How to Choose the Right Rack Size
When choosing the ideal rack size, consider the following:
– Number of people – Allow roughly 1 pound of uncooked ribs per person as a starting point. Adjust up for big eaters.
– Appetites – If serving as a main meal, go bigger. For appetizers, look for racks with fewer bones.
– Cooking method – Grilled and smoked ribs shrink less than braised, so size up accordingly.
– Bone vs. meat – Back ribs and beef ribs have more meat, while spare and loin ribs are bonier.
– Quality over quantity – One large, high-quality rack can be better than an extra-large so-so one.
How Much Meat is on a Rack of Ribs?
The amount of edible meat on a rack of ribs depends on the cut, animal size, and butcher. General estimates:
| Type of Rib | Meat per Rack (raw) |
|---|---|
| Pork Spare Ribs | 1.5 – 2.5 lbs |
| Pork Loin Back Ribs | 1 – 1.5 lbs |
| Beef Short Ribs | 2 – 3.5 lbs |
| Beef Back Ribs | 3 – 4 lbs |
After cooking, ribs shrink by around 30% – 50% due to moisture loss, reducing edible meat. Well-cooked ribs with “fall off the bone” tenderness will shrink more.
Visual Guide to Rack of Ribs Sizes
To visualize typical rack of rib sizes, here is a photo guide with common types:
Pork Spare Ribs
Pork spare ribs come from the belly and side of the pig. They contain more bone and cartilage than loin ribs but are very flavorful.
Pork Loin Back Ribs
Pork loin or back ribs are cut from the top of the ribcage near the spine. They contain the loin muscle and have more meat.
Beef Short Ribs
Beef short ribs are cut crosswise across the rib bones. They contain less bone weight and more meat.
Beef Back Ribs
Beef back ribs come from the long bones running down the rib section. They are meatier and wider than short ribs.
Cooking Times for Different Rack Sizes
Larger racks take longer to cook than smaller ones. Here are some general guidelines for cooking times by rack size:
| Rack Size | Grilling Time | Smoking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6 bones | 1 – 1.5 hours | 3 – 4 hours |
| 10-13 bones | 2 – 3 hours | 4 – 6 hours |
| 13-15 bones | 3 – 4 hours | 6 – 8 hours |
These times can vary based on thickness of meat, temperature, and doneness preference. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Conclusion
Rack sizes and number of bones can vary quite a bit based on type of ribs and source animal. In general, a full rack ranges from 10-15 bones depending on cut, averaging 1-4 pounds. Look for racks with at least 1 pound of meat per person. Larger full racks take longer to cook but provide impressive, shareable portions. With the right size rack and cooking time, you can achieve perfect results every time.