Baby Backs vs Spare Ribs - which to choose?

[WillTravelForFood]

Reading https://amazingribs.com/tested-recip...uts-explained/ describes the technical, physical difference between baby backs and spare ribs, in terms of where they are on obtained from.

Baby backs are "the most tender and leanest", while spareribs are "excellent meat, richer and more flavorful than baby backs". Baby backs will cook faster.

Still unsure which one we should always pick up when we go to the local meat market. So sometimes we pick up one, sometimes we grab the other. No idea why each time.

We'll guess that whether you go for one or the other comes down to personal preference -- so which ones do you prefer and why?

[Draznnl]

Spare Ribs. Because I always have. I probably had a reason once upon a time like spare ribs being meatier, but now it's just habit.

[ssandy_561]

I enjoy spare ribs and if I am cooking for me that’s what I am making. I like my rib with a bit of chew.

If I’m cooking for a crowd I’ll make baby back. They seem to be more universally liked and most people like a fall off the bone rib and I think baby backs are best for wrapping which helps with fall off the bone.

[STEbbq]

I prefer the tenderness and chew of baby backs.

[DaveD]

I love 'em both. I've been doing the meat smoking thing only since last July, and have done but one rack of baby backs, in fact it was my very first smoke. I overcooked 'em Since then I've done five slabs of spare ribs and they all came out great, and I finally got another rack of babies, which I'll be using in the coming weeks. I've learned tons since that first session back in July

[58limited]

I like both, spare ribs are usually cheaper at my local store so I buy them most of the time. One time I went to Snow's BBQ in Texas and their supplier sent baby backs instead of spare ribs. I didn't know this until I was at the counter, I ordered a slab of spare ribs and they gave me two slabs of baby backs. They were honestly the best ribs I've ever had.

[Jfrosty27]

I like spares, wife prefers baby backs. So guess which one I cook? Yup. Haven’t had a spare rib in years…..

[Mr. Bones]

I prefers Spares, as well...

In yer Avatar, looks to me like as how ya gots Real Estate to cook both, at once...Indulge yerself, an keep Mama Happy, all at once, kinda thing?

Indulge yerself, eat happy, an y'all stay safe an well, up yonder, there...

Life's too dang short, buy some Spares, Brother!

I'll PayPal ya some Spares money, if'n yer currently tapped out / strapped, etc. LMK, PM.

[texastweeter]

Spare 100% of the time. I like the richness of them. I think they have more flavor, more meat, and more moisture.

[Mr. Bones]

10-4, Wall to Wall, an Treetop Tall, Brother!!!

We Gone!!!

Bye-Bye!

[Dadof3Illinois]

We unanimously like spares around our house.

[rickgregory]

Spares for me, but I'm also in the no-sauce, no-wrap camp. I wonder if how people cook the ribs influences what they like?

[texastweeter]

No rub?

[rickgregory]

Dammit. I meant no sauce.

[Mr. Bones]

Prob 95% th ribs I've ever cookered off in my life, I done dry ribs, no wrap, yes rubbed...

Sauce is always vailable, raight there, on th side, fer a dunk, or three, (or more)...

[Bumby]

If I'm willing to butcher the spares to a St. Louis style, spares. If I'm feeling lazy, baby backs. Just put two racks of spares on about an hour ago...

[bbqLuv]

I enjoy all three, baby back/loin back, spareribs, and St Louis-style ribs.
When I cook spareribs, I trim them to St Louis ribs and have extra treats cooking.
I suggest all three. Try it you'll like it.

[RustyHaines]

I am usually motivated by price . . . . therefore, usually spare ribs that I trim to St Louis. Always nice for the cook to be rewarded with mid-cook rib snacks.

[bbqLuv]

Price is a factor. Mid-cook rib snacks too.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I prefer baby backs, the ones I get around here have tons of meat. Unfortunately they are stupid expensive right now 25-35 a rack when they were 10 bucks a rack before. Oddly spares have come down almost to their old price, so I guess I'll be cooking more spares.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Mr. Bones I just don't like trimming them, and the wife doesn't like eating around bones. Not on sale, but finally under 5 bucks a lb I got me 2 decent racks of babys a few minutes ago, so they of course are currently on the MAK

[bbqLuv]

ItsAllGoneToTheDogs For those who do not like eating around the bones, they get fall off the bones. Problem solved.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

bbqLuv well I meant all the extra bones/cartilage but I guess your method would solve that, but then my mouth would be sad, don't want no applbees ribs coming out of my kitchen

[USMCCrashCrew89]

I prefer to cook spares but I usually grab up whatever one is on sale.

[Mr. Bones]

I tend to ascribe to this method o shoppin, as well, Brother.

[jhapka]

I buy spare ribs because I can trim them to SLCs and use the tips for pork stock. I like SLCs because there’s more to them and I don’t like that the curve of baby back ribs.