Spare ribs (also side ribs or spareribs) are a variety of pork ribs cooked and eaten in various cuisines around the world. Spare ribs are the least expensive cut of pork. They are cut from the lower portion of the pig specifically the belly and breastbone, behind the shoulder, and include 11 to 13 long bones. There is a covering of meat on top of the bones and also between them. Spare ribs (pork) are distinguished from short ribs, which are beef.