How long are ribs good in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “How long are ribs good in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of ribs. Moreover, we are going to discuss the different ways to spot bad ribs and tips to properly store ribs.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long are ribs good in the fridge?
The time for which the ribs stay good in the fridge depends upon several factors including the freshness of ribs at the time of purchase, whether the ribs are cooked or uncooked and the storage conditions.
Uncooked/ Raw ribs
Whether you have raw beef ribs or raw pork ribs, they last for about 3-5 days when stored properly in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag.
Cooked ribs
Cooked ribs last for about 3-4 days if stored at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the fridge according to the standards set by the USDA. It should be stored in air-tight containers or plastic zipper bags on one of the shelves of the refrigerator.
It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of ribs.
What is the optimum temperature to store ribs?
You should always store your ribs at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore it is always advised to store your ribs at a lower temperature to preserve their freshness for a long time.
How long do ribs keep at room temperature?
Cooked as well as uncooked ribs last for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature.
You should discard the cooked ribs that have been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore there are greater chances of the cooked ribs being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.
Moreover, if the temperature of the surroundings is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the process of spoilage takes place at a faster pace and it is recommended to discard ribs that are left out in the open for more than an hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can read the difference between beef ribs and pork ribs here.
How long are cooked ribs good for in the freezer?
Raw beef ribs, if kept wrapped in aluminum foil in an air-tight container or air-tight plastic freezer bag, can last for about 6-12 months in the freezer. On the other hand, raw pork ribs last for about 4-6 months when stored properly in the freezer.
Thus keeping the cooked ribs in the freezer will increase their shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on the ribs.
How long do cooked ribs last after being frozen and thawed?
Frozen cooked ribs if thawed in the refrigerator can stay there for 3-4 days before reheating and consuming them.
On the other hand, frozen uncooked ribs can stay good for about 3-5 days, before cooking them, when thawed in the fridge.
But if you thaw your ribs in a bowl of cold water or the microwave, it is advised to cook them immediately till their internal temperature rises to 165 °F.
Different ways to spot bad ribs
There are a couple of indicators that point out bad ribs. You should consider the appearance, texture, and smell of the ribs to reach a final verdict on whether or not they have gone bad.
- If you spot a mold or other organic growth on your cooked or uncooked ribs then it means that your ribs have gone bad and the best thing you can do in this scenario is to get rid of them.
- If you notice that the color of the ribs has changed from pink to greenish-grey or brown then it is an indication that your ribs have gone bad and it is better to discard them.
- If you feel something slimy or gooey while touching the ribs then it means that your ribs have gone bad and it is better to discard them.
- If you smell something sour or ammonia-like while taking a sniff test of your ribs then it means that your ribs have gone bad.
Tips to store ribs properly
- It is a good practice to store the ribs on the shelf of the fridge rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge.
- It is best practice to store the ribs on the lowest shelf of the fridge to eliminate any chances of dripping on any other food item.
- Refrigerate the ribs promptly at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore it is always advised to store your ribs at a lower temperature.
- If you want to freeze the ribs, wrap them in aluminum foil or a freezer bag before putting them in air-tight heavy-duty freezer containers.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “How long are ribs good in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of ribs. Moreover, we discussed the different ways to spot bad ribs and tips to properly store ribs.
