Costco’s vacuum-sealed pork ribs are an amazing value and already pre-seasoned, making weeknight dinners easy. But to get the most flavor and tenderness out of these convenient ribs, proper cooking is key. Follow this complete guide to learn foolproof methods for oven-baking, grill-cooking, and smoking pork ribs from Costco.
Selecting Costco Pork Ribs
Costco offers several pork rib options:
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Baby back ribs – More tender and smaller than spare ribs, Sold individually packaged
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St. Louis-style spare ribs – Larger ribs cut from the belly. Sold in 2-3 rack packages.
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Country-style ribs – Meatier boneless ribs.
Look for vacuum-sealed packages without tears or leaks. Inspect the color – it should be dark pink to red with white marbling fat. Avoid any with gray spots. Check the expiration date allows enough time to cook them.
Prepping the Ribs
Before cooking, the ribs need some prep:
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Rinse – Rinse under cold water and pat completely dry,
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Trim – Use a sharp knife to trim off any excess hard fat or membranes.
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Apply rub – Coat both sides with a dry rib rub if desired.
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Marinate (optional) – Let sit 30 min – 1 hour in the fridge coated in a wet marinade.
This prepares the ribs for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
How to Cook Costco Ribs – 3 Methods
Oven-Baked
Baking allows the ribs to become very tender in their own juices.
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
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Place ribs meaty-side up. Pour 1 cup water or broth in the baking sheet.
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Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2-2.5 hours until tender.
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Uncover last 15 minutes and brush with barbecue sauce to caramelize.
Grilled
The grill imparts a delicious char while cooking the ribs.
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Prepare a medium-hot grill. Oil the grates.
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Grill ribs meaty-side down for 25-30 minutes with the lid closed.
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Flip and grill 15 minutes more, brushing with sauce.
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Move ribs to indirect heat if flare-ups occur.
Smoked
For incredible smoked flavor, use a smoker like a Traeger:
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Preheat smoker to 225°F.
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Smoke ribs for 4-6 hours, spraying with apple juice occasionally.
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Raise heat to 300°F. Brush ribs with barbecue sauce and smoke 30 minutes more.
Check Doneness
Ribs are done when:
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Meat has pulled back 1⁄2 inch from the ends of the bones.
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Ribs bend easily without breaking.
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Internal temperature reaches 195°F.
Poking with a fork or twisting a bone can also test doneness. The meat should shred easily.
Let Ribs Rest
Once cooked, remove ribs from the heat and loosely tent with foil. Letting them rest for 10-15 minutes allows juices to reabsorb for moist, juicy meat.
Serving Suggestions
Costco ribs pair deliciously with:
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BBQ sides like baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, and potatoes.
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Fresh veggies like corn on the cob, broccoli, or a crisp salad.
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Dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or tangy barbecue sauce.
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Cold drinks like beer, lemonade, or iced tea.
Slice ribs between each bone to serve. Place stacks of ribs on a platter with sauce on the side for guests to help themselves.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover cooked ribs will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. To reheat, place foil-wrapped ribs in a 300°F oven for 15 minutes until hot. Microwaving makes the ribs rubbery.
With the right prep, cook method, doneness check, resting time, and storage, you’ll be able to make insanely delicious ribs from Costco’s convenient pork packages.
Common Questions about Cooking Costco Ribs
Still have some questions about cooking up these saucy ribs? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How long does it take to cook Costco ribs?
In the oven, grill, or smoker, Costco ribs take roughly 2-3 hours to become fully tender and cooked through. Pork ribs have a lot of connective tissue that needs slow cooking time to break down.
Should you cook Costco ribs in foil?
Yes, wrapping the ribs in heavy-duty aluminum foil while they bake or grill allows them to steam and tenderize in their own juices. Just be sure to open the foil for the last 15-30 minutes to brush barbecue sauce on.
Do Costco ribs need to be marinated?
Marinating is optional since the ribs are already seasoned. But soaking in a wet rub for 30 minutes – 1 hour before cooking will make them even more flavorful.
What wood pellets are best for smoking Costco ribs?
For pork, apple, cherry, pecan, and hickory wood pellets infuse excellent smokey flavor. Avoid mesquite pellet which can be overpowering.
How do you know when they’re done?
Check for doneness by looking for ribs to pull back from the ends of bones, bending easily without breaking, and reaching 195°F internally. Also, the meat should shred apart cleanly.
Can you freeze cooked Costco ribs?
Yes, fully cooked ribs can be frozen for 2-3 months. Cool them completely before freezing in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Satisfying, Succulent Costco Pork Ribs
With the proper prep, low-and-slow cooking method, and resting time, you can easily transform Costco’s convenient ribs into finger-licking, fall-off-the-bone delicious barbecue. Follow this guide for tender, juicy results every time.