Confusing rib labels at Costco

[Reds Fan 5]

Our local Costco carries cryovac ribs, three racks per package. They are labeled something like "pork back loin ribs." I know many of you buy ribs at Costco. Are these actually baby backs?

[Histrix]

Yes they are. And they also already have the membranes removed.

[Reds Fan 5]

Thanks, Histrix. You recommend them?

[mgaretz]

The ones from my Costco (SF Bay Area) do not have the membranes removed.

[DWCowles]

Pork loin back ribs are meatier than baby backs

[Meathead]

Actually, they are not. They are two names for the same thing.

[DWCowles]

Ok, they are not meatier and they are the same thing. Now wasn't that easy?

[Histrix]

"Depending on how the butcher removes the loin meat that is on the humped side of the bones, some can have up to 1/2" of delicate, lean loin meat on the top. "

[Histrix]

I probably shouldn't have made the blanket statement that the ribs sold at every Costco have the membranes removed. There is a lot of regional variability to what is sold in Costco's stores. So there is quite likely some difference between what is sold on the left and right coasts.

The baby back ribs in MANY Costco's DO have the membrane already removed.

I have always liked the baby backs I get from my Costco which are sourced from Smithfield.

[Jerod Broussard]

Baby back ribs are sold at Chili's.

Pretty much everything sold in stores are loin/back ribs.

If you find some under 2 pounds then you might have some baby back ribs, adolescent at the very least.

[Meathead]

Age has nothing to do with it. Really small ones are usually from smaller European, usually Danish hogs. http://amazingribs.com/recipes/porkn...pork_cuts.html

[Jerod Broussard]

When sarcasm goes unnoticed. arrrrrrrggggg Meathead

[Reds Fan 5]

@JerodBroussard, thanks for triggering that damn Chili's baby back ribs jingle in my head.

[Meathead]

Also, beware of three packs. The center slab is often badly trimmed with shiners. They hide them that way.

[Reds Fan 5]

Thanks for the advice, Meathead. Costco in Oak Brook. My guess is you are familiar with it. Congratulations on your book's success. You've created a terrific website and a fun virtual community here.

[DWCowles]

Yes they do

[Potkettleblack]

Learned the hard way last year.

[DWCowles]

These "pork loin back ribs" are from a 3 pack. They look meatier to

[fuzzydaddy]

...and delicious.

[GadjetGriller]

Wow when was this party?? I guess my invite got lost in the mail good looking ribs!!

[ecowper]

Damn, looks good!

[ecowper]

Okay, just for clarification. I know the meat buyer that set up the 3 pack, cryovac back ribs deal. Those are packed at the packing plant, not in the local Costco butcher shop. They are spec'ed to have an extra 1/2" of meat compared to a normal cut and to have the membrane removed. IF they are in cryovac and labeled "Swift Premium" you do not have to worry about the membrane, nor do you have to be concerned about the middle slab having shiners. IF you were to get a cryovac that looks like the ones in this picture with membrane on, or shiners in it, let me know. The buyer is a good friend of mine and he wants to know if there are problems.

[Histrix]

Whooops...in my earlier post I said Smithfield. I meant to say Swift is what's in my Costco. Smthfield just happens to be a major local pork producer so their name was stuck in my head.

[GadjetGriller]

Good info! Thanks ecowper been graving some Ribs now I know which ones to look for!!

[ecowper]

Happy to help. These are the ribs that I always buy. Always happy with them. Plus, I know I can go to Rob (my friend) if there is a problem.

[ecowper]

Also, the Swift Premium SLC cut spare ribs at Costco are via the same buyer and with similar specifications. IF you buy ribs from Costco that are labeled by the local Costco only, they are done to general Costco specs, but have local variation to them.