Yes, chuck ribs can be short ribs. Specifically, they are referred to as chuck short ribs.
Chuck Short Ribs Explained
Chuck short ribs are cut from the chuck primal, which is located in the shoulder area of the animal. According to the provided reference "Short Ribs (Chuck) or Braising Ribs", these ribs are:
- Found in the front quarter, just above the brisket and shank.
- Typically the first to fifth ribs.
- Meaty, but with shorter rib bones compared to plate short ribs.
- Well-suited for low and slow cooking methods, such as braising and smoking.
Therefore, while not all short ribs are chuck short ribs (for instance, plate short ribs exist), chuck ribs are a type of short rib.
Different Types of Short Ribs
To clarify, short ribs are not a single, uniform cut. There are a few different types:
- Chuck Short Ribs: As discussed, these come from the chuck primal.
- Plate Short Ribs: Cut from the plate, located further down the animal's torso. These tend to be larger and meatier than chuck short ribs.
- English Cut Short Ribs: Cut across the bone, yielding individual rib portions with a thick layer of meat on top.
- Flanken Cut Short Ribs: Cut thinly across the bone, resulting in strips of meat interspersed with short pieces of bone. This cut is often used in Korean BBQ (Kalbi).
Summary
In essence, chuck ribs are a specific type of short rib, characterized by their location in the chuck primal and their suitability for braising and smoking.
