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Baby back ribsvsSpare ribs

pork · Approximate equivalent

These cuts are approximate equivalents — similar in character but with meaningful differences in preparation or exact cut.

Baby backs are leaner, smaller, and more tender while spare ribs are larger, fattier, and more flavourful — spare ribs require longer cooking but reward with more richness.

Baby back ribs
Pork · Loin

Baby back ribs are curved rib bones taken from the top of the rib cage where it meets the spine, in the loin section. They are shorter, leaner, and more tender than spare ribs,…

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
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Spare ribs
Pork · Rib

Spare ribs come from the belly side of the rib cage, below the baby back ribs, and include more bone and cartilage but also more fat and flavor. They are larger and meatier than…

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
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Names by country

CountryBaby back ribsSpare ribs
🇺🇸United StatesBaby back ribsSpare ribs
🇬🇧United KingdomBack ribsSpare ribs
🇫🇷FranceCôtes de dosCôtes levées
🇪🇸SpainCostillas de lomoCostillas de cerdo
🇦🇷ArgentinaCostillas de cerdoAsado de cerdo
🇲🇽MexicoCostillitas de cerdoCostillas de cerdo
🇵🇹PortugalCosteletas do lomboEntrecosto
🇧🇷BrazilCostelinha de porcoCostela de porco
🇮🇹ItalyCostine di maiale (back ribs)Costine di maiale
🇩🇪GermanySchälrippchenSpare Ribs

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