Last Updated on August 3, 2023 by Shari Mason
Ribs are one delicious dish that everyone often makes for meals. If you cook too many ribs and your family can’t finish them, you might put them in the fridge and keep them for later.
There are several ways to cook ribs, each with its distinct flavor that affects the storage process. This brings us to the question: How long do cooked ribs last in the fridge? Let’s find out.
How Long Can Cooked Ribs Last In The Fridge?
Cooked ribs can be refrigerated for three to four days. If properly stored, cooked ribs will be at their peak for 2-3 months but still safe beyond that.
To properly store cooked ribs, refrigerate them in shallow airtight containers or wrap them firmly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maximize safety and quality.
For freezing, put them in heavy-duty freezer bags or aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Cooked ribs frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. [1]
Read:
Factors To Consider
Containers
Refrigerating cooked ribs in shallow, airtight containers or securely wrapping them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap is one best ways to keep them fresh indefinitely.
If refrigerated properly, cooked ribs can last for three to four days.
Read: Can You Cook Two Prime Ribs In The Same Oven?
Temperature
Storing cooked ribs in the refrigerator at no warmer than 40 °F can extend their shelf life up to 4 days. But it can last longer, up to a few months, if stored properly in the freezer at 0° F.
“Cooking is a subject you can never know enough about. There is always something new to discover.”
– Bobby Flay, American Celebrity Chef
The maximum safe temperature for storing meat is 40° F; if higher than that, it might lessen the shelf life and affect the taste of the cooked ribs.
Read: Are Texas Roadhouse Ribs Beef Or Pork?
Cooking Technique
- With Sauce
Using a vacuum sealer is the best way to keep smoked ribs fresh for a long time.
The key to keeping your leftover ribs from drying out is to take the air out of the bag. You can also wrap the ribs tightly in plastic and aluminum foil.
Read: Costco Ribs Cooking Instructions
- Grilled
Use zip lock bags, broad, heavy-duty aluminum foil, or plastic storage containers to store any leftover grilled ribs that will be consumed within the next four days.
Before sealing, try to remove as much air as possible. Divide the leftover ribs into portions and place them in vacuum-sealed bags if you want to freeze them.
How To Tell If Cooked Ribs In The Fridge Has Gone Bad
Texture
One of the initial techniques to know if ribs have gone bad is to check the texture. When the meat feels slimy or mushy, the ribs have gone rancid. It is highly recommended that the ribs be thrown away.
Check out our fall of the bone and competition ribs comparison here.
Aroma
Conduct a sniff test on your ribs to see whether or not they have an ammonia or sour smell. If they do, this indicates that they have spoiled and should not be consumed.
Taste
If the cooked ribs taste gamey, most likely, the ribs have gone bad. It might also taste sour, like how it smells when spoiled. Discard the ribs immediately to avoid food poisoning.
How To Store It For A Long-Term Refrigeration
To store cooked ribs for the long term, store them in an airtight container to ensure they completely freeze.
It is not recommended to store cooked ribs in plastic containers for long periods since they lose their seal and allow frost to enter.
Vacuum-packed bags are the best bet, but zipper bags with aluminum foil will also work nicely. [2]
Before freezing, place the sealed ribs in the refrigerator to cool fully. This will make the freezing process quicker.
You should also save any sauce you want to serve with your grilled ribs later.
FAQs
How do you properly thaw cooked ribs in the fridge?
To properly thaw cooked ribs in the fridge, open the foil and add broth, beer, apple juice, or water. Then, preheat the oven to 250 degrees or the indirect grill to 250.
You can also add barbeque sauce. Broil or grill carefully to set the sauce.
How long are ribs good in the fridge after thawing?
The thawed pork ribs can be kept in the fridge for up to three or four days before being cooked, but thawed ribs in the oven or with cold water should be eaten immediately.
The Bottom Line
Storing cooked ribs is not that complicated. If you want to preserve them longer without ruining the flavor, store them properly in the freezer using airtight containers or sealed bags.
If you’re just saving the leftover cooked ribs for a few hours, storing them in the refrigerator in sealed containers is enough and safe.
Always remember that storing your food properly in the fridge is best to avoid contamination and food poisoning.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/food-preservation/Light-induced-reactions
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/choosing_containers_for_freezing_food
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