Baby back ribs are cut from the top of the rib cage, near the backbone.
Understanding Rib Cuts
To fully understand where baby back ribs come from, it's helpful to compare them to another popular cut: spare ribs.
- Baby Back Ribs: These are shorter and curved, taken from the area closest to the backbone. They are typically leaner and more tender.
- Spare Ribs: These come from the bottom of the rib cage. They are longer, flatter, and have more bone and cartilage, and often contain a bony piece of meat called the brisket.
Key Differences in Rib Location
| Feature | Baby Back Ribs | Spare Ribs |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Top of the rib cage, near the backbone | Bottom of the rib cage |
| Shape | Shorter and curved | Longer and flatter |
| Meat | Leaner and more tender | More bone and cartilage, often contains brisket |
Why Does Location Matter?
The location of the cut affects:
- Tenderness: Baby back ribs are often considered more tender due to their location and lower connective tissue content.
- Size: Baby back ribs are significantly smaller compared to spare ribs.
- Meat-to-Bone Ratio: Baby back ribs typically have a higher meat-to-bone ratio than spare ribs.
