Cooked Bbq Ribs: How Long Do They Last?

Cooked BBQ ribs are a delicious treat, but how long do they last? Whether you're cooking up a big batch for a backyard barbecue or simply meal-prepping for the week, it's important to know how long your ribs will stay good. While the exact timeframe depends on various factors, such as cooking and storage methods, ribs generally last three to four days in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer.

How long do cooked BBQ ribs last in the fridge?

Cooked BBQ ribs will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place the ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush them with another layer of BBQ sauce and cover tightly with foil. Warm in an oven set to 250°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until warmed through. Then, remove the foil and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes to allow the sauce to set and the bark to crisp up.

Alternatively, you can freeze cooked BBQ ribs for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen ribs, first, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then, follow the same reheating instructions as above.

How long do cooked BBQ ribs last in the freezer?

Cooked BBQ ribs can be stored in the freezer for quite a long time compared to refrigeration. While ribs can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3–6 days, depending on the type of rib and how they are stored, they can be stored in the freezer for much longer.

Sources suggest that cooked ribs will maintain their best quality in the freezer for 2–4 months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time if stored at a temperature of 0°F. One source suggests that ribs can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.

To extend the shelf life of cooked ribs in the freezer, it is important to store them properly. They should be stored in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrapped tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap.

What's the best way to reheat BBQ ribs?

There are several ways to reheat BBQ ribs, but using a microwave is not recommended as it can make the ribs tough and rubbery. Here is a guide on how to reheat BBQ ribs properly:

Step 1: Take the Chill Off

First, don't reheat the ribs straight from the refrigerator as cold ribs will take longer to reheat, and longer exposure to heat can lead to dry and tough ribs. Instead, let the ribs sit at room temperature for a while before reheating.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 250°F (135°C). Using a microwave can quickly turn your ribs tough and rubbery, so the oven is the best option. The temperature should be just hot enough to gently heat the ribs without drying them out.

Step 3: Prepare the Ribs

You can reheat the ribs in an aluminium foil pan, a 13- x 9-inch baking dish, or a cast-iron skillet. Cover the ribs with aluminium foil to prevent them from drying out and seal in the moisture. If you are using a zip-top bag, remove the ribs and place them in a pan before covering with foil.

Step 4: Reheat the Ribs

Place the covered dish in the oven and heat until the internal temperature of the ribs reaches at least 130°F (54°C). The time will vary depending on the number of ribs, but it usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes. You can also use a grill or smoker set to the same temperature to reheat the ribs.

Tips:

• If you have a vacuum sealer, you can reheat the ribs in boiling water. Place the vacuum-sealed bag in a pot of boiling water for 20-30 minutes, then cut the bag open and serve.
• Add sauce and spices to your ribs before serving. You can brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and cook them uncovered for 10-15 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
• If using a spice rub, cover the ribs with the rub after reheating and before cutting and serving.

How long do you cook ribs on the grill?

There are a few steps to follow when cooking ribs on the grill, and the whole process can take up to two and a half hours.

Firstly, preheat your grill to 300°F, with the coals or flames only under one half of the grill. You'll want to preheat your grill for about 15 minutes. During this time, you can prepare your ribs by coating them in a spice rub and wrapping them in foil.

Once your grill is preheated, place the ribs on the grill, bone-side down, and cook for about 90 minutes to two hours. You'll know they're done when the internal temperature of the ribs reads 180°F to 190°F.

After this, increase the grill temperature to 375°F and transfer the ribs directly over the grill grates. Brush the tops of the ribs with barbecue sauce, cover, and cook for five minutes. Then, carefully turn the ribs over, baste the other side with sauce, cover again, and cook for another five minutes. Continue basting and turning the ribs until the sauce has created a sticky coating and the ribs are charred, which should take 10 to 20 minutes longer.

In total, your ribs should be on the grill for about 1 ½ to 2 hours. You'll know they're done when they're tender and can be easily pierced with a fork, but they shouldn't be falling off the bone.

If you're short on time, some recipes suggest that you can cook the ribs for 45 minutes with a dry rub, and then add barbecue sauce and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

What temperature should ribs be cooked to?

When cooking ribs, the target temperature will depend on the type of ribs you are cooking and your desired texture.

Spare Ribs

Spare ribs are flat and wide, with plenty of fat tissue, making them a great option for low and slow cooking. The best internal temperature for spare ribs is 200–202 °F (93–94 °C).

St. Louis Spare Ribs

St. Louis spare ribs are a trimmed-down version of full spare ribs, resulting in a more uniform appearance. The ideal temperature for St. Louis spare ribs is the same as for spare ribs: 200–202 °F (93–94 °C).

Baby Back Ribs

Baby back ribs are a popular choice for grilling, with slightly less fat than spare ribs. They can be cooked using either low and slow smoking or hot and fast grilling methods. The ideal temperature for baby back ribs is 198–200 °F (92–93 °C). If you prefer your ribs to fall off the bone, you may need to cook them to a higher temperature and compensate for moisture loss with BBQ sauce.

Country-Style Ribs

Country-style ribs are not technically ribs but are cut from the pork shoulder. They have similar fat content to ribs and are great for smoking, braising, and serving shredded. The ideal internal temperature for country-style ribs is 202–205 °F (94–96 °C).

Checking the Temperature

Due to the thin layers of meat and interspersed bones in pork ribs, taking an accurate internal temperature reading can be challenging. It is recommended to use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in several locations across the ribs. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat, between the bones, to get an accurate reading.

In addition to temperature, you can also use visual cues and the "bend test" to determine if your ribs are done. The meat should have a nice bark (crust) and start pulling back from the bones by about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. For the bend test, hold one end of the rack with tongs and lift it off the grill; the other end should bend towards the ground, and cracks may form in the crust.

Frequently asked questions