If you’re craving barbecue but don’t have hours to spend tending a smoker, the Kirkland Smoked Back Ribs from Costco offer a fast and flavorful solution.
These Costco Smoked Baby Back Ribs come fully cooked and only need to be reheated before serving, making them a convenient option for weeknight meals or casual get-togethers.
What is in the Package of Smoked Ribs
Each package has a single slab of fully cooked baby back ribs that weigh in between 1.7 and 2.2 pounds. My suggestions is to buy the heaviest slab you can find as the larger slabs will be more evenly sized bones along the whole slab.
The ribs come seasoned with a dry rub that has a nice balance of sweet and savory that also happens to be gluten free.
Kirkland Smoked Ribs Heating Instructions
Cooking them is about as simple as it gets. Just place the unopened bag on a baking sheet and heat it in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.
After that, take them out of the bag and broil for two minutes to give the ribs a little char and crispness on the outside.
No Sauce, No Problem
Unlike many pre-cooked rib options, these Kirkland Smoked Back Ribs do not include barbecue sauce. While some people might see that as a drawback, it’s actually a bonus for those who like to customize the flavor. You can use your own go-to BBQ sauce, whether that’s a spicy, tangy, or sweet variety, or even enjoy them as-is if you prefer a more savory, dry-rub style. The ribs are already seasoned, so they don’t taste bland on their own.
You can add your own sauce either right before or after the broiling step. If you are looking fr a good sauce to use then it’s pretty hard to beat Sweet Baby Ray’s.
That’s it—no extra steps, no special tools, and no mess to clean up afterward.
Taste Test
The best phrase I have come up with to describe these ribs is, “Absolutely Acceptable”.
Flavor and Quality
The ribs are moderately smoky with a nice rub that enhances the meat without overwhelming it. The seasoning leans toward a balanced, savory profile. While they aren’t the best ribs ever made, they’re far from the worst and can easily hold their own against the typical offerings at a mid-level barbecue restaurant. With the right sauce, they become even better.
Tenderness and Texture
Texture-wise, these ribs are cooked just right. They aren’t fall-off-the-bone soft, but that’s often a good thing—these ribs provide a clean bite with the right amount of chew. Some rib fans will appreciate that they don’t turn to mush the moment you pick them up. The meat can be a touch dry if eaten without sauce, but once you slather on your favorite BBQ, that issue pretty much disappears.
If you’re used to smoking ribs yourself, these won’t completely replace homemade. But if you’re comparing them to what’s served at casual restaurants or take-out joints, these ribs hold their own.
I would eat these instead of the ribs from Chili’s any day of the week!
You get a nice balance of convenience and quality, all at a fair price. Plus, you don’t have to plan ahead, fire up the grill, or do any cleanup afterward.
Price of Kirkland Smoked Ribs
Each package of Costco Smoked Baby Back Ribs currently costs $8.59 per pound, contains about two pounds of ribs and usually costs around $17-$20. That is a solid value for fully cooked, well-seasoned ribs.
A single package can easily feed two hungry adults, and possibly three if you serve it with a few hearty sides like potato salad, mac and cheese, or grilled veggies.
Watch the Video!
I made a quick video about these ribs…give it a watch and be sure to subscribe!
Cooking in the plastics safe?
Yes, at the low temperatures suggested.