How Long Are Ribs Good in the Fridge?

Nothing is more satisfying than enjoying some leftover pork or beef ribs, be it morning, noon, or evening! So, you head to the fridge, take out the ribs, and dig in. Yet, after a few bites, when hunger starts to subside, you might wonder, “How long are ribs good in the fridge?”

If this sounds familiar, then you’ve come to the right place. We will tell you everything you need to know about storing all kinds of ribs in the fridge and for how long.

No debating about whether you are eating baby back vs St Louis style. They are both amazing and when grilled or smoked properly, they are hard to pass up. Especially when you make your own Pulled Pork Rub and Whiskey BBQ Sauce.

So, if you’re guilty about tossing out leftover ribs but don’t want to risk it, don’t do it!

You can save those leftovers, save money and eat them another day.

🧊 How Long Are Ribs Good in the Fridge?

In general, ribs can last in the fridge for about three to six days from the date of purchase depending on if they are raw, cooked and sell-by date on the packaging.

Yet, this isn’t set in stone because there are a number of variables to keep in mind.

For example, you have to factor in how and where in the fridge you’re storing them. You also have to consider how fresh the ribs were when you bought them.

Then, there’s the state of the ribs themselves. In other words, are you storing them raw or cooked?

Raw Ribs

Raw, uncooked ribs can last 3-5 days in the fridge as long as they’re stored under the proper conditions.

According to safety standards set by the USDA, this means the temperature in the fridge should be at or less than 40°F.

They should also be placed in a plastic zipper bag or air-tight container to avoid air-borne bacteria from reaching the ribs.

Plus, make sure you put them in the back on any of the shelves, preferably the bottom shelf where it’s the coldest.

Avoid storing them in the door because it’s the warmest part of the fridge. It also gets the most temperature fluctuations each time someone opens and closes the door, which puts perishable foods at risk of contamination.

Now is a good time to mention that if you need to wait longer than five days before cooking the ribs, then we recommend you wrap them in aluminum foil or a freezer bag. Then, store them in the freezer until you’re ready.

Cooked Ribs

Storing cooked ribs is pretty much the same for cooked beef and pork ribs (such as baby back and St Louis) as it is for when they’re raw.

Based on the guidelines and recommendations set by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), you can safely keep cooked ribs in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Yet, similar to raw ribs, they should be stored in plastic zipper bags or air-tight containers on one of the shelves, preferably in the back where temperatures are lower.

It’s also worth mentioning that food placed on the edge of the shelves is always subjected to the warm air that sneaks in whenever the door opens.

That’s the last place we want the ribs to be if we want them well-preserved.

Speaking of temperatures, the optimal storing temperatures for cooked ribs should be 40°F to ensure they stay fresh and tasty for as long as possible.

Can You Reheat Leftover Ribs?

As long as you’ve stored cooked ribs properly in the fridge, and they smell good, then you can go right ahead and enjoy them cold.

You can even make a cold meat sandwich or a nice fresh meat salad.

However, sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into some hot, juicy ribs. For times like these, we rounded up a few pointers to help you reheat your ribs to perfection.

In the Oven

Heating ribs in the oven takes longer than on the grill, but it’s worth the wait. Your ribs will come out of the oven, tasting as tender and juicy as the day you cooked them.

Just follow these basic steps:

• First, preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Brush both sides of the ribs with sauce, chicken broth, or just water to keep them moist. Use extra sauce from the BBQ pit you visited or make a nice homemade batch of Cherry Bourbon sauce, Smoked Pumpkin Bourbon sauce or Beer BBQ Sauce.
• Then, wrap the ribs firmly in two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 250°F.
• Next, place the wrapped ribs on a baking sheet.
• After about 15–20 minutes, use an instant-read thermometer to check on the internal temperature of the ribs.
• If it reads 145°F, remove the foil and spread the ribs on the baking sheet.
• Leave in the oven for another five minutes until the sauce caramelizes.
• Finally, remove the baking sheet and allow the ribs to cool down.

On the Grill

If you’ve already grilled the ribs, then the best way to heat them up again is by firing up the grill once more.

This will ensure the ribs keep that delicious smoky flavor. This works great when you are using your ribs at a tailgate like we do with the portable Coleman 3 burner we talk about all the time as I’m not going to fire up my Big Green Egg just to reheat.

Here’s how:

• If you’re using a gas grill, preheat it to high or 450°F on a pellet grill.
• If you’re using a charcoal grill, build a medium-hot fire.
• Next, take the ribs out of the fridge and wait for the grill to heat up.
• Drizzle or spray some water or chicken broth on the ribs.
• Optional: brush a light layer of barbecue sauce on all sides of the ribs.
• Make a bowl out of foil and place the ribs inside.
• Set the wrapped ribs on the grate.
• Reduce the heat on the grill and flip the ribs over after about five minutes.
• Keep on the grate for another five minutes.
• Finally, when their internal temperature reaches 145°F, your ribs are ready to eat! We recommend using an internal thermometer to obtain the most accurate temp.

🥩 How To Tell If Ribs Have Gone Bad?

There are several ways to tell if your ribs have gone bad, like smell, texture, and overall appearance.

Below are a few examples to help you decide. If you notice one or more of these tell-tale signs, then you have to immediately discard them rather than risk exposing yourself or your family to spoiled ribs.

• Appearance: ribs look off-colored and different from when you first bought them.
• Mold: black, white, or green discoloration on either cooked or raw ribs.
• Color: ribs have gone from a fresh pink to brown or a greenish-gray.
• Texture: ribs have a gooey or slimy texture when prodded with your finger.
• Smell: ribs have a foul ammonia-like or sour smell.

📍 Tips To Prevent Ribs from Spoiling

Here are a few pointers to help you store both raw and cooked ribs properly:

• Place cooked or raw ribs in air-tight containers or plastic zipper bags.
• Store the containers or bags on the lowest shelf in the fridge where it’s the coldest.
• Make sure temperatures in the fridge are 40°F or less to protect ribs from contamination.
• Never place ribs in the refrigerator door.
• Always keep them in the back of the fridge where temperatures are cooler.

📌 Tips to Use Leftover Ribs

Say you have leftover ribs that you can’t refreeze, reheat, or put back in the fridge. You certainly can’t throw them out. So, you’re left with only one option: to use them immediately.

Check out some creative ways to make the most of your leftover pork or beef ribs.

Our favorite way is to make a brand new side, so the focus is more on that rather than the leftovers. Whip up Smoked Sweet Potatoes, Smoked Baked Potatoes or a big tray of Sweet Potato Casserole.

• Cut the ribs into smaller pieces and use them as toppings for your homemade pizza.
• Slice the ribs, whip up your favorite dip, and enjoy.
• Dice up the ribs, add your favorite salad veggies and create a new type of meat salad.
• Make some pasta or instant rice next to the ribs for a quick, hearty meal.
• Shred the meat from the ribs, add veggies and sauce, and make a tasty meat sandwich or toss over chips for a big tray of sheet pan nachos.

We love talking ribs! Whether it be The Best Wood for Smoking Ribs and The Best Dry Rub for Ribs.

FAQs

Recap

So how long are ribs good in the fridge? The quick answer is about three to five days.

Of course, many variables go into deciding exactly how long the ribs can go before spoiling.

You have to consider the best place to put them in the fridge and at what temperature.

Remember, any time you’re in doubt, use our handy guide to know if it’s time to throw out the ribs and spare your health.

To avoid all that, make sure you use the storage tips we mentioned to keep your ribs looking fresh and tasting delicious for the longest time possible.