good food
Trader Joe’s Smoke House BBQ Ribs
Package is located in the freezer case.
Most of you know I really enjoy good barbeque. [As proof I submit this web log: Sizzle on the Grill.] And with few exceptions I grill or barbeque something just about every week of the year. I’ll be the first to admit that cooking some barbeque recipes for just one or two people is a lot of work – so I’m tempted by short-cuts. I keep my eye out for tips, tricks and products that can provide me with good tasting food without all the work.
For example – when pushed for time I’ve enjoyed the frozen brisket, chopped beef and pulled pork that I buy at Pecos BBQ in Seattle. (Truth-be-told I’ve actually served it at parties and not told anyone where it came from…if they asked I told them, but I certainly didn’t volunteer the information!) At Costco I’ve found pre-cooked baby-back pork ribs to be really tasty especially since I can buy just one package. For about $10 I get to enjoy one rack by myself with virtually none of the effort that it takes to prep, smoke, slow cook and finally glaze ribs – more than 8-10 hours to do it properly – which is a lot of work for only one rack. Much better to go to all the effort when I’ve got a party and want to make the cooking part of the ritual.
Recently I enjoying wandering the aisles at one of my favorite grocery stores, Trader Joe’s, and noticed a product in the freezer case that looked interesting.
Review:
Easy to prepare in the microwave. Tasty sauce – much of which I removed – and decently prepared meat with a distinct flavor and texture that seems to be truly smoked. Not nearly as good as the Costco ribs but easier to get because a single item purchase at Trader Joe’s is less of a hassle – but not as cost efficient. I believe these were around $5 or $6 and only had about 1/3 the ribs.
Verdict:
These will do in a pinch when you are Jones-ing for BBQ and don’t have time to go to a good BBQ joint, but not something I’d serve to guests and even think of passing off as home cooked.
Oh, let’s face it. Ribs are just really great. Period.
I liked them until I almost broke my tooth on a quarter size chunk of bone that was in the beans. It was like biting down on a piece of glass.
I did inform them but they looked at me like I was crazy for complaing about finding bone fragments in “ribs.” I’m done with that product.
The package instructions say nothing about piercing the bean pouch. It exploded in the microwave. Major mess. Either pierce the pouch or empty the beans into another container and cook.
Lucky you! I’m in the LA area and the Costco ribs are $7.99 per pound so the packages are about $16.00 to $19.00 each. Are yours $7.99 per pound also? I still think the Costco ribs are better than any restaurant ones. Too bad we can’t buy the sauce alone.
Steve – the finished ribs (lloyd’s etc.) are about $12 a pound on sale. The baby-backs are about $5 – $12 a pound depends upon the store and the specials. I’ve noticed the better prices don’t necessarily affect quality. But when I just want one rack of ribs – it’s so much work to prep (brine, rub, rest for 18 – 24 hours then slow cook for 4 – 8 hours) that I tend to favor the short-cuts or buy take out from my favorite bbq joint. (BTW here in Seattle it’s a Texas-Style mom & pop place run by a wonderful Korean couple)