Is there a difference between pork shoulder and pork ribs when used in stews?

Is there a difference between pork shoulder and pork ribs when used in stews? - Grilled Meat

In the local chain supermarket (western US) they sell both "pork country-style ribs" and "country-style pork shoulder". Both are cut into 2-4" strips, bone-in or no bone.
In recent times the pork shoulder we have been using has been hard to find and expensive. The pork ribs have been plentiful and much lower cost.
We cut these into 1" squares to use in stew dishes. Is there any significant differences in how these will come out in stews?
Or maybe it's just a naming convention to confuse people?

EDIT: These are regular oven baked stews, maybe 1 hour, not slow cooking. Either pork and vegetables in broth, or in barbecue sauce.
My main concern is whether there would be any significant difference in texture or taste, fat content, or how well the cubes hold together.



Best Answer

There is a difference, one comes from the shoulder of the pig, the other from the ribcase.

And where shoulder bought whole can have a bone in, when sold in smaller portions or as on your case strips, the chances on bone are slim. Ribs will mostly have bone in but can be sold without.

Cooking times between various parts of the ribcase can vary, shoulder times are, as far as I know, within the same range.
If you cook your stew slow till the meat is almost falling apart there should not be a huge difference.

What makes more difference is how much fat is included in the cuts and that is up to the butcher.




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Quick Answer about "Is there a difference between pork shoulder and pork ribs when used in stews?"

Pork butt is often used for stews and pulled pork because of its fat content, while shoulder is more often used as a roast because the meat stays together better for slicing and the skin can be made crispy.

Which pork part is best for stew?

Best Pork for Stew: If your pork is destined for low and slow, look for pork shoulder or pork sirloin (the latter is also known as pork butte). Both shoulder and sirloin tend to be tougher, flavorful and well-marbled with fat. They turn succulent and fork-tender in the slow cooker.

Is pork rib the same as shoulder?

This variety of ribs is meatier and larger than other types of pork ribs and requires different methods of cooking and eating, but is not always made up of rib bones. In fact, pork shoulder ribs are usually not ribs at all, but are rather an end cut from the shoulder blade of the pig.

Does bone-in pork shoulder take longer to cook?

Bone-in pork shoulders take a little longer to cook which can result in more flavorful meat. Boneless pork shoulders can be sliced into smaller chunks for easier handling and quicker cooking.

What is the best cut of pork ribs?

Baby Back Ribs: The most popular of all pork ribs, Baby Backs are the most lean and tender. These types of ribs are located at the top part of the rib bone that is connected to the spine (backbone), just below the loin muscle.



What are the Different Types of Pork Ribs? | The Bearded Butchers




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