Right now: Cheap Babyback Ribs (5/11/11)

[McGurk]

Right now Rainbow Foods has BB ribs for $2.99/lb, which are usually $4.99/lb. These are Hormel Enhanced (Salt solution) previously frozen ribs; not fresh and unaltered. For the price, though, it's not too bad. I've done several cooks with them with good results, and make a point to do 2 or 3 10-minute, clean water soaks in the sink with them to get as much as possible off. I also cut down the salt in my homemade rub so they don't get "hammy."

From my experience you will see this price a few times during the summer at RF, and the only places you can get them cheaper without a Sam's or Costco membership is at Walmart (unsure of price and timing) and Target. Target will run their Hormel BB's for $2.49/lb and spares for $1.79/lb before the big 3 summer holidays. Not a bad time to stock up if you want some before Memorial day.

If you've got a crew to feed and they don't know comp-grade ribs from Famous Daves, you can save a bunch of money by getting these and making your own batch of rub. A savory (but not overly sweet) favorite rub of mine for rinsed, enhanced ribs:

6 parts brown sugar

3+ parts chili powder

2+ parts paprika (you can get some good Hungarian Paprika at RF, reg or hot)

2+ parts garlic powder

2 parts celery salt (or Lawry's SS)

2 parts onion powder

2 parts ground black pepper

1 part cayenne pepper (more if desired, doubling this will give a nice heat)

1 part ground cumin (if desired)

By using tablespoons for your "parts" you should have enough for 2 racks. Mix all in a bowl as well as you can with a fork. I use a 2 cup electric chopper/grinder to get the sticky sugar broken up and distributed evenly, but a bowl and fork will do the job.

[MNmikew]

Thanks Gurk!! I need to pick some for opener.

[reinhard1]

thanks. i saw the add and will pick up some more today [that target add is something i look forward to]. nice rub mix, thanks again. good luck.

[Leaky]

I've bought a couple racks of these ribs every time Rainbow puts them on sale at this price. Always be sure to tear off the thin membrane covering the back of the ribs. Its pretty invisible, but make a small cut and get a piece of it lifted with your fingers or knife. Once you get it started, it comes off pretty easy.

I use a rub similar to McGurks, cut each rack into 3 sections, put a thin coating of Sweet Baby Rays on them, wrap them in plastic warp and marinade in the fridge overnight.

Preheat the oven to 275. Pull the ribs out of the plastic wrap, add another thin coating of sauce and double wrap in tin foil. Put on cookie sheet and slow cook for 2 - 2 1/2 hours.

Unwrap the ribs, smother with more sauce and finish them on a hot gas grill for about 10-15 minutes or under the broiler to brown up and carmelize the sauce for just a couple minutes.

These will be some of the tenderest, tastiest baby backs you've ever had. Especially at $2.99 lb.

[reinhard1]

that is an excelent point to make that i fail to make at times. take that membrane off the back for sure. otherwise whatever you put on that side of the rib the spices cant blend in. also it will make eating of the rib a much more pleasurable experience. one thing you can do safely if you haven't done it before is take a butter knife the rounded end type and put it in between the meat and the membrane and push downward halfway, and while holding the ribs with one hand pull toward you and it will come easily off. after you have done that inbetween a few ribs take one end and just gently pull the membrane down lengthwise and your set. good luck.

[OnAFly]

Thanks for the tip, I'll be picking some up tonight

[McGurk]

Membrane: Using a dry paper towel will help get a hold on that slippery thing. I also start in the middle all the way across one rib, run mi fingers between the membrane and the ribs and go most of the way towards one end, then all the way the other way, and all you have left is the little bit that you left from before. Removal is a must for pork ribs.

[Leaky]

Oh My....The paper towel deal is a must. That slippery thing is tough to grab hold of. I remember the first time I did this, that dang membrane came off in about 2 inch sections. I thought, the heck with this, I'll pay the $5.99 to have the butcher do it.

But after a couple of racks of practice, it literally takes just a minute or two to git er done.

I'm going to try RH's thing with the butter knife with the racks I picked up today. Thanks for the tip!

[reinhard1]

i mentioned the butter knife thing because it's safe to use and can get behind the membrane easily. when i was still working i just used my steel and stuck it between the bones between the membrane and the meat and made quick work of it. not everyone has a steel i thought when i posted but could be wrong. it is a must to have. good luck.

[Farley]

Was at Cub foods last night and looks like they have the same deal going on, but I want to say it was 2.47\lb. Either way I picked up a rack for $11 to bring on our fishing trip Memorial weekend. Great deal I thought.

[fishergurl]

+1

I picked 2 racks up yesterday!

[OnAFly]

I picked up 4 the other day. The wife was pretty happy about it The day before, she was asking about when the next time we were having ribs!

[KEN W]

Spares are $2.29 at Sam's now.

I agree on removing the membrane.Easy to do once you do it.As stated above....slip a butter knife between the bone and membrane to get it started.Use a paper towel to pull the whole thing off.

I really have a pet peave when I eat them at a resturant and they haven't removed it.

[McGurk]

This week, 5/15/11: Cub Foods has BBs for $2.99/lb. Rainbow and Target haven't posted prices in either of their ads, as well as Sam's, Costco, or Walmart so I don't know anywhere else.

[McGurk]

5/18- checked Walmart and saw Spares for $2.79; not a very good price. But I did get a 14 lb excel brisket for $2.18/lb, even though it was marked at $2.98/lb! Gotta pay attention!

[reinhard1]

that's an excelent price for a beef brisket. first place i head for is the markdown section at our cub here in andover. cheap ribs not far away . good luck.

[reinhard1]

we know that Target will have a good price on backribs. they bought a trainload and will be sold frozen. i heard today that supervalue heard of this and bought a trainload of st. louis ribs and i'm guessing they will be frozen as well. a cub meat guy i know told me this. so what could be better duel rib wars next week. i dont know what price they will be but it will be good. so, so far Target and Cubs ,get your freezers ready!!!! good grillin and good luck.

[Harmonica Bear]

At Cub this morning before work, St. Louis Style Spare ribs, previously frozen. 1.99/lb

[Leaky]

OK - Since the only ribs I buy are Baby Backs, what makes St. Louis Ribs St. Louis Ribs? Are threy fattier, tougher?

[reinhard1]

i wonder if that's whats it's going to be the rest of the week. that is a good price for sure. it will be interesting what the target price for back ribs will be. i'm sure not as cheap as last year but a very good price regardless. freezer is ready!!! good luck.

[reinhard1]

many resturants serve st louis ribs. it is tha spare rib without the brisket. i love them. spare ribs are graded by size just as baby backs are. as a rule the smaller the better. one time target ran out of baby backs and subed st louis ribs. not a problem with me.

still have to take the membrane off the back just like the baby backs. trim off excess fat off the back also. they are meaty and tender when prepared on the grill/smoker. good luck.

[McGurk]

WOW. St Louis cuts for $1.99?!?!?! That's insane! I've seen full spares for that little, but never trimmed St Louis cuts! Basically you are getting the desirable portion of the spare already trimmed, but at the same price as whole spares so you aren't paying for the waste. I have seen a lot of BBQers/Smokers that prefer St Louis ribs (trimmed spares). I haven't noticed a huge flavor difference between the two, but I guess I like BBs a bit better for the meat to bone ratio.

I double checked the Cub ad from last Sunday and saw that the BBs were $3.99/lb, and St Louis were $2.99/lb, so I was mistaken. This week will be nuts, and I am looking forward to seeing what the different ads have to offer. Reinhard is right about this; get the smallest racks they have if you are buying a bunch.

[Leaky]

All right! Thats why they pay you guys the big bucks. Thanks! I'll be restocking the freezer this coming week.

[reinhard1]

looks like target got the backribs for 2.49 this year which is still a great price. cub is dissapointing with spareribs for 2.49. walmart has fresh pack spareribs for 2.07 per pound which is a great price. i'm assuming they are the two per pack vacume sealed packs but not sure. but cub does have t-bones or porterhouse for 6.99 which is a good price. i should add that those ribs at walmart would be at a super walmart i would think.good luck.

[McGurk]

Beat me too it, RH. Target has a great price, and I've never seen BBS cheaper than $2.49/lb, so you should stock up if you are so inclined!

BTW, Smoked up a couple of racks yesterday during the midday storms and still had some great meat to eat in the evening sun. Used your mop recipe (bacon grease, apple cider and cider vinegar) without foiling and they turned out great! A little extra zing from the vinegar, and more bark due to the lack of foil. Thanks!