Most of us can attest to the deliciousness of ribs. But how long can ribs stay in the fridge before we have to say goodbye? Unfortunately, it isn’t long. In this article, we’ll detail the shelf life of both cooked and raw rib meat and will also go over the differences in shelf life between various types of ribs. So, if you’re ready, let’s dig deeper into the question, “How long can ribs stay in the fridge?”
Table of Contents
- How Long Can Pork Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Ribs Stay in the Fridge After Thawing?
- How Long Can Leftover Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Short Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Beef Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Baby Back Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Smoked Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Seasoned Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Marinated Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Country Style Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Sealed Pork Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Can BBQ Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
- How Long Will Cryovac Ribs Last in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Ribs Stay in Fridge? Not Long!
- FAQs
How Long Can Pork Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Pork ribs, and even beef ribs, tend to only stay good for 3-5 days once cooked. Assuming you’ve stored them correctly (usually in an airtight container, foil, or plastic wrap) you can expect your ribs to stay tasting fresh for about this long.
Outside of 3-5 days, you’ll likely begin to notice signs of spoilage. The meat may taste unappetizing and may even start to choose colors. The ribs may feel slimy, lose their tantalizing texture, and may also grow mold.
Know that even if you do not see the signs just described, it is still best that you pitch the ribs after 3-5 days to prevent acquiring any foodborne illnesses.
How Long Can Cooked Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Remember that cooked ribs can stay in the fridge up to a few days after you’ve first cooked them. If you know that there will be leftovers after you’ve made your ribs do your best to ensure the freshly cooked ribs make their way into the fridge no later than 2 hours after being made. This will ensure that the ribs you are putting in the freezer haven’t already gone bad as they’ve been sitting at room temperature.
Since ribs don’t last a great deal of time in the refrigerator, you may consider freezing the ribs instead. This will ensure that you can enjoy the ribs long after you’ve made them without having to worry about them going bad. If you plan to take this approach, be sure to enjoy the ribs within three months for the best quality.
How Long Can Ribs Stay in the Fridge After Thawing?
Once you’ve thawed fresh and frozen raw ribs, you may wonder how long you can keep them there until you are ready to cook. If this is you, know that your ribs can stay in the fridge for about 3-5 days, which isn’t much different from the amount of time you can store cooked ribs.
How Long Can Uncooked Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Wondering how long can fresh pork ribs stay in the fridge? Uncooked ribs can stay in the fridge for about 3-5 days before they need to be grilled, baked, or boiled. During this time, you may choose to marinate your ribs, or you may choose to keep them bare. Whatever you choose, be sure to keep them on a baking sheet or in a bowl to catch any drippings from leaking all over your refrigerator.
How Long Can Uncooked Beef Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Beef ribs will follow the same guideline as pork ribs when it comes to shelf life. This means that your uncooked beef ribs will last only 3-5 days in the refrigerator before they either need to be tossed or frozen.
Note: Never attempt to freeze uncooked ribs that are already showing signs of spoilage.
How Long Can Leftover Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
If you know anything about ribs you know there are more than one type that can be enjoyed. As such, we thought it may be helpful to break up the types of leftover ribs you may have into categories in order to provide you with a more succinct way of knowing exactly how long your rib leftovers will last. So, without further ado, let’s see how long each rib type can stay in the fridge.
How Long Can Short Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Short ribs are a type of rib taken from beef cattle. This type of rib can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.
How Long Can Beef Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Beef ribs are an alternative to pork ribs and are often enjoyed slathered in barbecue sauce. These types of ribs can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days assuming that they don’t show signs of spoilage before then.
How Long Can Baby Back Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Baby back ribs tend to be smaller and more tender than original-style ribs. These can stay in the fridge for about 2 days at best quality, however, this can be extended to 4-5 days as long as they aren’t showing signs of spoilage.
How Long Can Smoked Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Smoked ribs can stay in the fridge anywhere between 3-5 days. Just be sure to inspect them for mold growth and smell them to ensure they aren’t emitting off-odors before you serve them.
How Long Can Seasoned Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Seasoned ribs can stay in the fridge for about 2-3 days at the best quality. The ribs will remain edible even up to 5 days. After that, you should toss the ribs out.
How Long Can Marinated Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
While you can technically leave marinated ribs in the fridge for up to five days, we wouldn’t recommend doing so. In general, it is always best practice to leave any kind of meat marinating for no longer than 24 hours. This cuts down on the risk of altering the texture of the meat, especially if the marinade contains an acid.
How Long Can Country Style Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
“Country style” ribs are actually chops or blade steaks. Although they aren’t technically made from the “ribs” of animals, these too last about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
How Long Can Sealed Pork Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Sealed pork ribs, meaning they haven’t been removed from their wrapper, can stay in the fridge until the date printed on the package. Once the package has been opened, however, you should only keep the ribs for 3-5 days. If you are concerned about preserving your pork ribs for a lengthier amount of time, consider freezing them where they’ll last 2-3 months.
How Long Can BBQ Ribs Stay in the Fridge?
Ribs slathered in barbecue sauce should remain edible for up to five days after being placed in the fridge. Just be sure to note any odd smells or changes in consistency before enjoying your leftover barbecue ribs.
How Long Will Cryovac Ribs Last in the Fridge?
Believe it or not, vacuum-sealed or Cryovac ribs may last as long as three weeks in the refrigerator. This is due to the unique nature in which the ribs are sealed. Of course, this is assuming that the sealed ribs were fresh, to begin with. Never Cryovac ribs that are close to spoiling as this may increase the chances of illness once consumed.
How Long Can Ribs Stay in Fridge? Not Long!
Assuming that your ribs weren’t vacuum-sealed when placed in the fridge, you can expect your ribs to last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Having said this, you can further extend the life of your ribs by placing them in a freezer-safe bag and storing them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Ribs that are vacuum sealed can last up to three weeks in the refrigerator before needing to be moved to the freezer.
FAQs
How do you know ribs have gone bad?
Ribs that have gone bad will usually taste different, emit a foul odor, or may have an odd texture. Moreover, you may expect ribs that have gone well past the point of freshness to have mold growth on the exterior. If you notice any of these signs of spoilage be sure to pitch the ribs as soon as possible.
