Costco’s meat department offers an amazing selection of high-quality proteins at wholesale prices Their giant racks of pork ribs are a stellar value and a backyard barbecue favorite But the size can be daunting for home cooks, How exactly do you tackle cooking those massive Costco ribs?
Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through every step needed to make Costco pork ribs that are finger-lickin’ good. You’ll learn tips for choosing the best ribs, the secret to tenderizing the meat, how to prep and season them just right, time-saving methods for cooking, and more.
With this advice you can easily whip up competition-worthy ribs worthy of any BBQ pitmaster. Read on to get cooking!
Step 1: Pick the Right Rack
Costco has two main kinds of pork ribs to choose from – baby back and St. Louis style spare ribs. Baby back ribs come from the top of the ribcage near the spine. They have the most tender meat and are shorter in length.
St. Louis style ribs are trimmed spare ribs. They come from lower down the ribcage and have a bit more chew. The racks are longer and meatier.
Both types taste delicious, so your choice comes down to personal preference. If you want more dainty, succulent bites, go for baby backs. Heartier meat-lovers may favor St. Louis ribs.
Inspect the racks to ensure the meat looks red and fresh, with some nice marbling throughout. Avoid any with dry or gray spots. Pick racks that are similar in size for even cooking.
Step 2: Remove the Membrane
There’s a papery membrane on the backside of the ribs that can make them tough if not removed. To get it off, slide a butter knife under the membrane at the end of the rack. Then grab hold and peel it off slowly like a sticker. This step is key for tender rib meat!
Step 3: Season Overnight
For the most flavorful ribs, season them the day before cooking. First pat the ribs completely dry. Sprinkle both sides generously with a basic rib rub. Use a storebought version or make your own blend of salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic and onion powders, cayenne, etc.
Massage the rub all over each rack until evenly coated. Stack the racks, wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate overnight. The salt in the rub will penetrate deep into the meat for enhanced juiciness and taste.
Step 4: Remove from Fridge 1 Hour Before Cooking
An hour before cooking, take the ribs out of the fridge and let them come closer to room temperature. Cold ribs absorb smoke and cook unevenly. Letting them warm a bit helps them cook more evenly later.
Step 5: Prep Your Grill or Smoker
Pork ribs only need low, indirect heat with plenty of smoke. Heat your grill or smoker to 225-250°F using indirect heat if possible. If using a charcoal grill, pile coals off to one side only. For gas, turn on one or two burners to establish indirect heat.
Add hardwood chips or chunks to generate thick smoke. Fruit woods like apple, cherry, pecan, and hickory work great. Avoid soft woods like pine that give a bitter taste.
Step 6: Cook Low and Slow
Carefully place the ribs meaty-side up on the grill grate away from any direct heat. Close the lid to trap smoke. Maintain your low target temp and check periodically to ensure the grill isn’t running too hot.
Cook for 2-3 hours, turning and rotating the racks every 30-45 minutes for even cooking. Spritz with apple juice or water if desired during cooking to keep the meat from drying out.
Aim to cook until the ribs reach 200°F internally and the meat has shrunk back from the bones by about 1⁄4 inch. This signals they are tender and ready.
Step 7: Wrap in Foil to Power Through the Stall
At around 160°F, ribs hit what’s known as “the stall” – a plateau where the temperature stops rising for a while. This is caused by evaporative cooling. To power through it efficiently, tightly wrap each rack in foil.
Put back on the grill for another 1-2 hours. The ribs will steam and braise in their own juices, breaking down connective tissues for fork-tender meat.
Step 8: Unwrap and Add Sauce
Once the ribs are buttery soft, unwrap the foiled racks and move them directly over the heat. Baste with your favorite barbecue sauce and grill another 15-30 minutes unwrapped.
This firms up the bark and makes the sauce sizzle and caramelize. Keep basting to prevent burning.
When done, the meat will have shrunk back significantly from the bones and be pulling away slightly. Cut into a rack to check – the inside should be juicy, not dried out.
Step 9: Let Rest and Serve
Remove ribs from the grill and let rest 10-15 minutes before cutting into individual ribs. This allows the juices to redistribute so they don’t spill out when you slice.
Chop into servings, drizzle with extra sauce, and enjoy these succulent Costco ribs!
Top Tips for Riblets Every Time
For the best results when cooking Costco pork ribs, keep these handy tips in mind:
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Remove the membrane for tender, easy to bite-off meat.
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Season at least 6 hours in advance, ideally the night before.
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Use indirect, low heat between 225-250°F. Avoid direct high heat.
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Spritz with juice or broth during cooking to prevent drying out.
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Power through the stall by wrapping ribs tightly in foil at around 160°F internal temp.
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Finish with sauce over direct heat to set the glaze.
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Let ribs rest after cooking before cutting for juicy meat.
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Store leftovers for up to 4 days refrigerated. Reheat gently in the oven.
Conquer Those Costco Ribs!
From prepping to resting, you now have all the details needed to cook those gigantic Costco pork ribs to finger-lickin’ perfection. With the right techniques, you can transform those hulking racks into the most tender and flavorful barbecue imaginable.
Impress your family with your newfound rib mastery. And take advantage of Costco’s bulk savings to keep the whole neighborhood well-fed with smoked ribs all summer long! Happy grilling!
Rest and Serve
Take the ribs out of the oven and let them rest for a few minutes after they are done. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and tender bite. Separate the ribs into small pieces and serve them with your favorite sides, like cornbread, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables.
There you have it! Now you can confidently cook delicious Costco ribs in your oven. This step-by-step guide will help you make ribs that will make your mouth water whether you’re having a backyard BBQ or just want a tasty rib dinner. We hope you enjoy! If you want to share your oven cooking tips for Costco ribs, head over to the
How To Cook Costco Ribs In Oven
Welcome to our ultimate guide on how to cook Costco ribs in the oven. Costco is a wholesale store known for selling high-quality goods. It has a wide range of tasty, cheap ribs that are perfect for anyone who loves meat. We have everything you need to make a delicious and tender rib dish in your own kitchen!
How to cook Costco St.Louis style ribs in the oven | Easy recipe
FAQ
What is the best way to cook Costco ribs?
How to cook pre packaged pork ribs?
How do you cook pork ribs without drying them out?
What is the best temperature to cook pork ribs?
How do you cook Costco ribs in the oven?
Here is how to cook Costco’s pre-seasoned ribs in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 F for 5 minutes. Place the ribs in a covered roasting pan on a rack that allows the ribs to sit above a layer of water or wrap them in foil aluminum. Cook the ribs for about 2 hours until they reach 190 F, or until the meat separates from the bones easily.
How do you reheat pork ribs at Costco?
To reheat your cooked pork ribs, wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and then place it in a 350 F oven for about 15 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 160 F. If they don’t, put them back in and check them every 5 minutes. Costco’s ribs are already prepared so all you have to do is cook them.
How long does Costco rib rub take to cook?
Flavor Connections Rib Rub & Seasoning is made of salt, sugar, black pepper, chili pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, onion, and safflower oil. Cooking Costco’s seasoned ribs takes about 2 to 2.5 hours in the oven and about 2 hours on the grill, and 2.5 to 3 hours in the Traeger. However, the cooking time depends on the temperature.
Can you cook Costco ribs on a grill?
Now, you can take the seasoned ribs off the grill or baking dish and cover the ribs with aluminum foil. If you’re using a grill, up-fold the sides of the foil. When I cook Costco Ribs, I pour apple juice on top before I wrap it tightly with foil. Ensure you wrap it thoroughly to avoid the juice spilling from the meat.