Description
What are St Louis cut ribs?
St Louis ribs are cut from the belly, or spare-rib, section of the pig and trimmed into a neater, more rectangular rack. Our version deliberately keeps a generous depth of pork belly meat and fat, making it far more substantial than the thin racks often sold as St Louis ribs.
Why are these ribs so meaty?
At approximately 3–3.2kg, this is a large sharing cut — closer to a skinless pork belly with the ribs attached than a lightweight rib rack. The combination of meat, fat and connective tissue gives deep pork flavour and keeps the ribs succulent during long, slow cooking.
How to cook St Louis ribs
These ribs are best cooked low and slow. For barbecue or smoking, cook indirectly at a low temperature until the meat is tender, then glaze and finish uncovered to set the surface. For the oven, season or apply a rub, cover and roast at around 160°C for approximately 2½–3 hours, then uncover and finish at about 220°C for 10–15 minutes to colour and caramelise the glaze. Use tenderness as the final test, as thickness can vary.
For a detailed barbecue method, see our Memphis-Style BBQ Ribs Recipe using the 3-2-1 method.
St Louis ribs vs baby back ribs
Baby back ribs come from higher up the rib cage beside the loin. They are smaller, leaner and generally quicker to cook. St Louis ribs come from the belly or spare-rib section, so they are flatter, richer and carry more meat, fat and connective tissue. If you want a large rack for smoking or a substantial BBQ centrepiece, St Louis ribs are the better choice.
St Louis Ribs FAQs
How large is the rack?
Approximately 3–3.2kg. It is a substantial cut and serves around 6–8 people, depending on appetite and sides.
Are St Louis ribs the same as baby back ribs?
No. Baby backs come from the loin side and are smaller and leaner. St Louis ribs come from the belly or spare-rib section and carry more meat and fat.
Can I cook them in the oven?
Yes. Cook them covered at a moderate temperature until tender, then finish uncovered at a higher temperature to colour or set the glaze.
Are they suitable for smoking?
Yes. Their size, fat and connective tissue make them particularly well suited to low-and-slow smoking and barbecue.
How many people will they feed?
Approximately 6–8 people, depending on sides and appetite.

Derek (verified owner) –
Very happy with the service I received from gridironmeat. I smoked ribs for 3-4 hours,then wrapped and cooked for a further 2 hours. Delicious. Delivery was on time as expected. Will defo be ordering again.
Neal Abrams (verified owner) –
This was superb, fed five of us and still enough for another meal the next day. Smoked them for 8 hrs and they were tender as with a really good meat content. Will definitely be ordering these again. Delivered well packaged and iced so no issues there. Everything was spot on.
Chris (verified owner) –
St Louis cut……prepped and trimmed, 4-5 hours low and slow with an awesome rub…to say clean off the bone doesn’t quite cover it. Amazing flavour…. WILL order again.
Syd Morris (verified owner) –
I have been searching and trying various butchers to get some great “St Louis Ribs”. I am so glad I came across Grid Iron. From opening the packet I was excited, they even looked superb and were exactly what I have been trying to get. All of my guests were not disappointed either, they tasted fantastic. I will be ordering more products from Grid Iron. Well done guys great meat and great service.
Simon Best (verified owner) –
Very meaty ribs, smoke them for 7 hours nice and low using oak and they taste amazing and fall off the bone.
Tim Stocks (verified owner) –
Fabulous taste, excellent quality. Unfortunately we cannot get large chops from our butcherd so fantastic that we can get from you. The rack enables 3 meals as just the 2 of us. Absolutely amazing. Will order more and will feed back as we eat the other meat we have ordered, fantastic.
Paul Wilkinson (verified owner) –
Absolutely amazing flavour the best pork we’ve ever tasted and were still enjoying days later !!!!
Gianna Prew (verified owner) –