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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

By Lindsay Delk - July 8, 2024

Baby Back Ribs vs. St. Louis Ribs: Everything You Need to Know

Baby back ribs and St. Louis ribs are tasty meat cuts with different characteristics that distinguish them from one another. While they are both popular choices for grilling, these types of ribs have unique qualities. Differentiating between baby back ribs and St. Louis ribs is important to make informed choices when selecting the right ribs for your next barbecue. 

Baby Back Ribs vs. St. Louis Ribs

7 Differences Between Baby Back Ribs and St. Louis Ribs

1. The Part of the Body They Come From

Baby back ribs are cut from the area where the spine meets the loin on an animal, while St. Louis ribs are cut from the belly area. St. Louis ribs can also be called spareribs or country ribs in some areas. 

2. The Animal They Come From

Baby back ribs can come from either cows or pigs, but St. Louis ribs are only available in a pig and are, therefore, always pork ribs. So if you prefer one or the other, check the label to see whether they are pork or beef. Sometimes beef baby back ribs will be called beef back ribs to make spotting them easier. 

3. Fat Content

Because of where the ribs are harvested from on the body, baby back ribs and St. Louis ribs differ in fat content. Baby back ribs tend to be leaner than St. Louis ribs and any other type of pork ribs. 

4. Cook Time

The amount of time to cook the ribs is another difference between baby back and St. Louis ribs. St. Louis ribs take much longer to cook as the bones have more meat and more fat. Baby back ribs tend to cook a little faster since they are leaner. 

5. How They Are Served

Baby back ribs and St. Louis ribs differ in how they are served. Generally, baby back ribs are usually served whole, as either a full rack or half rack of ribs, leaving the bones and meat connected for the consumer to pull apart. St. Louis ribs, on the other hand, are usually sliced or separated, so each rib can be consumed separately. 

6. Number of Ribs

There is a difference in the number of ribs between baby back and St. Louis ribs. Baby back ribs have more rib bones than the area of the animal where St. Louis ribs come from. A full rack of baby back ribs will contain 10-13 rib bones, while a full rack of St. Louis ribs will have 6-8 bones.

7. Cost

The price of baby back ribs and St. Louis ribs distinguishes the two. Baby back ribs are more popular and easier to cook, leading to a higher price tag in the store. St. Louis ribs are cheaper, but they can be just as tasty as long as they are prepared properly. 

Can You Swap St. Louis Ribs for Baby Back Ribs?

Both of these cuts of ribs are tasty, tender, and delicious, meaning they can be used interchangeably without too much worry. However, if you are using one instead of the other, ensure you double-check your recipe and always check the temperature of the meat before removing it from the grill as St. Louis ribs need to cook longer than their baby back rib counterparts to cook to a safe temperature. 

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About Lindsay Delk

Lindsay Delk is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) who specializes in providing evidence-based nutrition and health content. She loves to take the confusion out of nutrition with clear and well-researched ebooks, articles, blog posts, and recipes.

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