BBQ Rib Types

There seems to be a little confusion amongst BBQ rib fans about the various terms used to describe pork ribs. Several versions of pork BBQ rib cuts look almost identical in the meat department of your favorite grocery store. It's important to properly identify your BBQ rib type purchase before slow smoking because one cut is leaner than the other and does not require as long cooking times. So here are the most popular BBQ rib types...

Baby Back Ribs - Baby backs are also called loin back ribs. The grocery stores

usually label them as loin backs. Baby backs are usually smaller in size and have a fairly pronounced curve to the bone. The meat is leaner than spareribs so be sure to reduce your cooking time accordingly. Baby backs are most often confused with St Louis cut spareribs because they are similar in size. But St Louis style ribs will be much flatter with more fat and meat.

Spareribs - A full slab of spareribs is hard to confuse with any other type of BBQ rib type. The sparerib comes from the side and belly of the pig and they are larger than baby backs, contain more fat, and are flatter than baby backs. The extra fat provides more flavor. Most slow smoking BBQ rib enthusiasts prefer the taste of the sparerib over the baby backs. It is also a cheaper cut of BBQ rib.

St Louis Cut - This is a sparerib that has been trimmed to remove the tips or brisket end of the spareribs. There is also a flap of meat called the skirt on a full rack of spareribs that is removed. The result is a fairly flat rack of ribs that is easier to handle, looks nicer, and cooks up more evenly. To learn how to trim your spareribs St Louis style, please click here: St Louis Style Ribs.

Slow smoking BBQ ribs is an art and a sc BBQ rib cuts

ience. To learn how to cook "competition quality" BBQ ribs in your back yard, all you have to do is read how a real, award winning BBQ competition team does it. Click here to learn all about this fantastic book that will teach you how to slow smoke the best BBQ ribs possible. Chicken, brisket, and pork butts too!

[Home] [Terms of Use] [Privacy Policy] [Site Map]

Barbecue Recipes - Competition BBQ Secrets book. Learn how to slow smoke meats right... mouth watering ribs, chicken, butts, and brisket.
Barbecue Food - Everything you ever wanted to know about barbecuing.
Barbecue Restaurant - All about barbecue restaurants and why the barbecue you cook yourself in your own back yard may be better than your local barbecue restaurant.
Atlanta Barbecue Catering - The best barbecue does not come from BBQ restaurants. It comes from BBQ competition teams. Call Pit Bulls Up in Smoke for your catering needs.
BBQ Recipes - Why slow smoked BBQ is better than grilled BBQ and how you can easily switch.
Barbeque Recipes - What ingredients go into great barbeque recipes. You would be surprised!
BBQ Smoker - What kind of BBQ smoker is best suited to your needs and budget?
Barbeque Smoker - Learn all about the Lang Model 60 traditional offset barbeque smoker.
Cooking Barbecue - Cooking chart for slow smoked meats.
Barbeque Grill - All about the Traeger Lil' Tex pellet smoker.
BBQ Grill - How to set up your Weber kettle BBQ grill for slow smoked success.
Char-Broil Silver - Review of the Char-Broil Silver BBQ smoker for $159 at Home Depot.
BBQ Sauce - a description of all the Regional BBQ Sauce Variations.
Barbecue Sauces - Different types of barbecue sauces and the top 3 winners in each category in NBBQA BBQ sauce contest.
Barbecue Ribs - The 3-1-1 method to slow smoke barbecue ribs.
BBQ Rib Types - What is the difference between spareribs, baby back ribs, loin ribs, and St Louis Style ribs?
Smoked Barbeque - How does altitude affect barbeque cooking temperatures?
Barbecue Forum - Should you use barbecue forums to learn how to cook competition quality brisket, ribs, chicken, & butts?
Smoked Turkey - How to smoke a turkey.
American Royal BBQ - 2007 results for the biggest BBQ contest in the world.
Cooking Barbecue - All about collagen, protein fibers, and fat.
Barbecue Wood - All about the different barbecue woods, how to use them, and the flavors that they impart.
Barbecue Smoker - A review of the Southern Yankee Barbecue Smokers.
Fast Eddy Smokers - Cookshack's FEC100 and some history about Fast Eddy Maurin.
Barbecue Sauces - Ole Ray's Barbecue Sauces.
Smoked Ham - How to smoke (reheat) a ham on your BBQ smoker.
BBQ Ribs Example Project - How to adjust BBQ ribs cooking in cooler temperatures.
BBQ Baked Beans - two great BBQ baked beans recipes and the Bush's Perfect Pair contest.
The BBQ Guru - a great blower device that digitally controls your pit temperature.
Cookshack FEC100 - The Cookshack Fast Eddy FEC100 and the importance of pit temperature control.
Boone Hall BBQ Contest - results of the 2008 Boone Hall BBQ Contest.
Smoked Brisket - Here are the rusults of several of my brisket practice runs.
Douglas, GA results - BBQ contest results & Smoked Turkey & Smoked Ham reminders.
Roasted Pig - Videos of roasted pig Filipino style on a bamboo spit - also called Lechon Baboy.
Grind Your Own Spices - Kick your rubs up a notch by grinding your own spices.
Pulled Pork - How to pull a Boston Butt the right way!
BBQ Bark - How to create great BBQ bark.
Wagyu Beef - Report on the 2009 Barnesville, GA BBQ contest and also a newsletter on Wagyu Beef.
Barbecue Turn In Boxes - a sneak peek at our "secret" turn in boxes.
Barbecue Ribs - Know when your ribs are done to perfection.
Barbecue Timeline - All about a barbecue contest timeline and why it is so important - also our Greenwood, SC pics.
Weber BBQ - If you are looking to buy a weber BBQ then you need to visit this site. The 22" Weber Smokey Mountain is great!
Stumps Smokers - BBQ Friends - Wiley's Championship BBQ, Stumps Smokers, Kennesaw Grand Championship, etc.
BBQ Smokers - A great source for BBQ smokers.
BBQ Judge Survey - Results from our BBQ judge survey, report on American Royal trip, and Myron Mixon's BBQ school.
Jack Daniels BBQ Contest - Pictures from the Jack Daniels BBQ Contest & Degaque BBQ Contest 2009.
Weight Loss Shakes - If any of you need to lose weight fast, check out these delicious weight loss shakes.
Barbecue Videos - detailed videos of how we won 4 Grand Championships in 2009 - BarbecueCoach.com
Barbecue Judging - Suggestions on how to improve barbecue judging.
Learning Barbecue - Learn how to barbecue the right way.
BBQ Gremlins - How to prepare for those pesky BBQ gremlins.
BBQ Contest Scores - Why it is important to evaluate your BBQ contest score sheets - also Tryon, NC video.
Daytona BBQ Contest - Review of the Smoke on the Water Florida State BBQ Championship.
Lang 60 Barbecue Smoker - Overview of the Lang 60 Barbecue Pit Smoker.
Dillard, GA Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival review
BBQ Glazes and results from Amelia Island, FL and Kennesw, GA pictures.
BBQ Logos & Banners - Thes two guys can get your BBQ logos designed and printed fast.
Lake Oconee BBQ & Blues Festival review.
BBQ Smokers - a more comprehensive overview of different BBQ smoker types.
When is chicken done? - A review on how to know when your chicken, ribs, pork butts, and brisket is done.
Smoked Meatloaf - A video on how to smoke a meatlof.
Roasted Pig on a Spit - This is the best whole hog I have ever tasted - Cajun style.
Boss Hog Cookoff - Waynesboro, GA video
Future Legends of BBQ - A great Kids Q BBQ contest.
Berkshire Pork - My search for better pork.
BBQ Injector - A neat BBQ injector and videos from Dillard, GA and Tryon, NC.
Buying Pork - Tips from an insider on how to buy better pork.
Barbecued Oysters - not cold smoked or grilled.
Barbecue Contest Survey - A very informative survey on the future of BBQ Contests.
Barbecue Sausage - Learn the secrets to hot smoked fresh barbecue sausage (not cured or cold smoked).

Return to Barbecue
newsletter archive