Smoked pork ribs are an addictive barbecue appetizer made from often discarded rib parts. But believe me, these bad boys are crunchy, spicy and addictive!
Here’s everything you need to know about the beautiful steak snack and how to make it with our foolproof BBQ Baby Back Ribs recipe.
What are pork ribs?
That’s right, they’re derived from regular pork or beef ribs , although you’ll get confused.
Baby back ribs are made from regular pork ribs by cutting the rib leg lengthwise. The results of two rib sheets are cut to make small rib pieces.
They can also be made from the discarded parts of ribs made by butchers when slicing ribs .
This makes them more snack-like and better suited for making party snacks. It also allows you to have a better coating for your barbecue sauce or rub.
Ribs should not be confused with “rib tips,” which actually come from the boneless strips of meaty tips trimmed from the ribs St. Louis-style.
Baby back ribs differ in that they come from the rounded ends of the rib bone, which butchers often discard when cutting pork ribs for the sake of presentation.
Because baby back ribs come from discarded cuts of pork ribs, they’re often quite cheap to buy. They’re also extremely easy to cook, but will almost certainly be a hit at a cookout.
How do pork ribs taste?
Because they’re enough pork ribs, they quickly taste just like you’d expect. Each variety originated from the BBQ sauce or rub you use.
However, since they are smaller and sometimes contain less meat, they are very suitable for forming a crunchy texture. In this regard, they’re quite similar to chicken wings , as they can have sections of tender, juicy flesh and then have juicy crispy tips and ends. Crispy yet tender and in the form of a small grill appetizer . They’re the perfect messy finger food.
How to buy pork ribs
Sometimes you’ll find them already cooked, but more likely & you’ll need to get regular pork ribs. You can ask your butcher to cut your pork loin ribs in half to give you two slabs, and then you can cook the rest at home.
How to store pork ribs
Like many cuts of meat, baby back ribs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. They must be well packaged but should hold up well within this time frame.
If you must freeze, store them in airtight plastic containers for up to three months.
If you’ve already cooked them, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days at most.
Recipe for pork ribs
These baby back ribs are coated in a thick layer of delicious barbecue sauce and smoked slowly to fall off the bone.
Some people bake them, but I prefer to smoke them and top them off with a quick tan.
The process for this recipe isn’t too dissimilar to the steps in my 3-2-1 Ribs recipe that some of you might have spiced up with.
Quick tip: This recipe requires some knowledge of indirect grilling and 2-zone cooking, so if you haven’t tried it yet, check out my guide to indirect heat grilling .
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are trims?
Baby back ribs are made from regular pork ribs by cutting the rack of ribs lengthwise and then into smaller pieces. They can also be made from the discarded ribs that butchers make when cutting the ribs. They’re cheap, easy to cook, and make a great BBQ appetizer.
Are baby back ribs boned?
The ribs are not boned. They are formed from the discarded strips of bone left over after a rack of ribs has been trimmed. Baby ribs are often confused with “tip ribs,” which are often boneless. In many recipes, baby back ribs and tops are used interchangeably.
Are the short ribs beef or pork?
Both beef and pork can be made into baby back ribs, although pork comes across as much-anticipated. In American barbecue cooking, “ribs” usually refers to pork, but can also be used to refer to beef.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
