CarneAtlas

Baby back ribsvsSpare ribs

pork · Approximate equivalent

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.

Translation takeaway

These are related cuts, but not perfect swaps. Use the table below to judge how close your local option is before buying.

Open Baby back ribsOpen Spare ribsSee substitutes
Raw Baby back ribs — Pork Loin cut
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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Raw Spare ribs — Pork Rib cut
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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Keep Baby back ribs and Spare ribs together in your notebook.

Names by country

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

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