Recipe Finder

New! Find all your favorite Southern Living recipes on MyRecipes.com

Recipes
Related Barbecue Articles:
Beef & Lamb Recipes
Fancy Fixin's For a Barbecue
Lowcountry Pig Pickin'
What's for Supper? Zesty Slow-Cooker Recipes
Barbecue Sauce
Burgers in the Backyard
Food Safety Tips
Ribs
 
Related Barbecue Recipes:
Baked Brisket Au Jus
Braised Short Ribs
Chinese-Style Spareribs
Smoked Prime Rib
Spicy-Sweet Ribs and Beans
Thai Wings And Ribs
Tangy Barbecue Sauce
 

 
Glossary of Ribs
Buying ribs is easy if you know what to look for.
By Andria Scott Hurst
   
  Beef ribs
   
  Spareribs
   
  Country-style ribs
   
  Baby baby ribs

Single slab packages allow you to see all sides of the ribs. You want as much meat and as little fat as possible.

Beef ribs have very large bones with lots of meat. Because of their size, they require a long cooking time over indirect heat to ensure tender meat.

Spareribs have the least amount of meat and, because they're less tender than other ribs, may take a bit longer to cook. However, they are considered the most flavorful.

Recipe:
Maple Spareribs

Country-style ribs are so meaty they can be eaten with a knife and fork. These ribs are usually sold in packages of six to eight pieces already cut apart for easy grilling.

Recipe:
Barbecued Country-Style Ribs

Baby back ribs (also called baby loin back ribs) have lots of meat between their short bones. These may cost a bit more per pound than spareribs.

Recipes:
Low-and-Slow Baby Back Ribs
John Wills's Baby Back Ribs

Love barbecue? You'll find dozens of delicious recipes in our Bar-B-Que special issue, on newsstands now!
Advertisement