Freezing Uncooked Ribs

[ron50]

I picked up a 3 pack of Costco baby back ribs yesterday for a smoke I was going to do today.
Now plans have changed so I am thinking of freezing them.
Any problems freezing them in the packaging they come in or is it better to individually vacuum seal each rack?
Thanks.

 

[02ebz06]

How are they packaged?
Some come Cryovac others in Styrofoam tray with plastic wrap over.
Cryrovac can be frozen as is. The trays can be frozen as is but you will get ice crystals inside.
For those it would be best to vacuum seal, then freeze.

 

[chopsaw]

Any problems freezing them in the packaging they come in or is it better to individually vacuum seal each rack?

Individual . Especially if they are close to a sell by date . If left together , it takes longer to freeze and longer to thaw . Maybe going forward you'll only want to do one rack as part of another cook .

 

[ron50]

Packaged in cryovac. Got them yesterday and sell by date is tomorrow. I find that is the usual at the Costco I shop at. It's never more than 3 or 4 days.

I would freeze them individually as would be easier to store them in my already full freezer but I'm looking at all that liquid and thinking even when I drain it still going to be a mess using the vacuum sealer on them.

 

[mr mac]

I would freeze them individually as would be easier to store them in my already full freezer but I'm looking at all that liquid and thinking even when I drain it still going to be a mess using the vacuum sealer on ththem.

Wash them down and pat them dry before you vacuum seal while using the 'moist' option to ensure a good seal. Your biggest concern would be bones poking through the bag.

 

[DougE]

Wash them down and pat them dry before you vacuum seal while using the 'moist' option to ensure a good seal. Your biggest concern would be bones poking through the bag.

That or just partially freeze before sealing.

 

[02ebz06]

As DougE said, partially freeze works great.
You can also put a paper towel in the bag to absorb liquid heading toward the vacuum chamber.

 

[normanaj]

I'd vac seal them.,my sealer has a moist/slow vac setting. Or like DougE suggested a partial freeze before sealing will do the trick.