Smithfield Extra Tender Frozen Pork Spareribs ?

[Smokin Okie]

I've found these to be the best ribs I can source.

Robot or human?

I get these frozen at Walmart, which is the only drawback to these ribs over Sams or US Chef Store. I got tired of the skinny spare ribs from those sources. Smithfield is the meatiest commodity ribs I've found. They market them as " Pitmaster Preferred " .

But are they enhanced, since the package says their " extra tender " . I've always thought that a label like that meant they were enhanced with salt. I think Hormel has an " extra tender " that is enhanced with some liquid. Hormel also has " natural " that's not enhanced.

So I asked Elon Musk's Grok if these ribs were enhanced ............. here's the answer . Doesn't sound like it.

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The Smithfield Extra Tender Frozen Pork Spareribs are indeed enhanced. According to various sources, these ribs are hand-trimmed for quality and are described as extra tender, which suggests they might undergo some processing to achieve that tenderness. However, there is no specific mention of enhancement through additives like solutions or marinades in the available information. They are noted for containing no added hormones or steroids, which is a positive aspect regarding enhancement considerations. The term "enhanced" in meat products typically refers to the addition of solutions like water, salt, or phosphates to improve tenderness, flavor, or shelf life, but explicit details on such enhancements for these specific ribs are not directly stated in the sources provided.

For more precise information on how these ribs are enhanced, you might need to check the product packaging or contact Smithfield directly for detailed ingredient information.
https://arkadelphia.easybins.com/pr...ender-frozen-pork-spareribs-2-count-7-1-11-lb
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I asked Microsoft's Co-pilot ............


are smithfield extra tender frozen pork spareribs enhanced

No, Smithfield Extra Tender Frozen Pork Spareribs are not enhanced. They are gluten-free and contain no artificial ingredients, steroids, or hormones. They are also USDA approved.

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[Smokin Okie]

Harry Soo has made at least three videos featuring Smithfield.

Sooo, I asked Grok if Harry was sponsored by Smithfield , the answer

================================

There is no direct evidence from the search results provided that Harry Soo is currently sponsored by Smithfield. However, there is a mention of Harry Soo comparing pork ribs from various sources including Smithfield in a Reddit post, which might suggest a familiarity or past association with the brand, but does not confirm a sponsorship:

• Harry Soo compares pork ribs from Sam's Club, Costco, Smithfield, and Restaurant Depot (with his dog Beans also judging the results)
  https://www.reddit.com/r/BBQ/comments/fax3m4/harry_soo_compares_pork_ribs_from_sams_club/

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, you might want to check Harry Soo's official social media, website, or recent public statements.

 

[Smokin Okie]

Harry says in this vid that Smithfield is enhanced. I can't find that to be true.

 

[normanaj]

The fact that anyone has to ask a computer about the quality of the food they buy dumbfounds me.

Heinlein must be turning in his grave knowing that "grok" is now associated with AI.

 

[Smokin Okie]

The fact that anyone has to ask a computer about the quality of the food they buy dumbfounds me.

Heinlein must be turning in his grave knowing that "grok" is now associated with AI.

Better than me scouring the web. AI can do it much faster and far more thorough.

But if you want to sit and Google all day, have at it.

Now , about Smithfield ribs .................. have you ever smoked them ?

 

[Smokin Okie]

And I'll add ...............that Google and Bing or whatever search engine you want to use these days, will deliver nothing but commercial results.

You can go through page after page of people selling you ribs, or whatever it is your trying to find out about.

The internet is not what it used to be. Its gone almost totally commercial. There was a time when I could search and find real users with real experiences ...... that day is long gone.

 

[SmokinEdge]

I stopped buying Smithfield ribs generally. As far as I can tell they are enhanced and as such they become over salty with standard rub and process. The do sell some BB ribs that are “all natural “ they work in a pinch but have way to much loin meat on them for our taste. There is a huge positive difference with restaurant supply ribs, they are fresher and not messed with and that is what I try to keep in stock. Other ribs like Swift or Kroger brand are workable but I’m a hard pass on Smithfield.

 

[Smokin Okie]

Its a USDA rule that meats enhanced with sodium must state that on the packaging. There is nothing on Smithfield ribs that says they're enhanced.

 

[fxsales1959]

Chinese owned.... hard pass. I'll deal with Swift ( Brazilian subsidiary)
I've never liked Smithfield except their country ham.

 

[gmc2003]

My Google search question: are Smithfield ribs enhanced

Google answer:

Yes, most Smithfield ribs are considered "enhanced" ribs, meaning they are injected with a brine solution to add moisture and flavor, often resulting in a slightly salty or "hammy" taste compared to non-enhanced ribs; some consumers have specifically noted this characteristic about Smithfield ribs.

Chris

 

[SmokinEdge]

Its a USDA rule that meats enhanced with sodium must state that on the packaging. There is nothing on Smithfield ribs that says they're enhanced.

In any case the Smithfield ribs taste like sh!t.

 

[Smokin Okie]

My Google search question: are Smithfield ribs enhanced

Google answer:

Yes, most Smithfield ribs are considered "enhanced" ribs, meaning they are injected with a brine solution to add moisture and flavor, often resulting in a slightly salty or "hammy" taste compared to non-enhanced ribs; some consumers have specifically noted this characteristic about Smithfield ribs.

Chris

Here's the result of my Google search with the same question

Smithfield offers both enhanced and un-enhanced pork ribs:

• Enhanced
  Smithfield offers enhanced pork products, which are treated with sodium phosphate and sodium lactate to increase tenderness, juiciness, and moisture retention. Smithfield offers financial incentives and loyalty programs to encourage competition barbecue teams to use their enhanced products.
  
  
• Un-enhanced
  Smithfield also offers un-enhanced pork ribs, which are not treated with sodium solutions. Some say they prefer the un-enhanced ribs and have done well with them in competitions.
  
  
• Fresh
  Smithfield also offers fresh pork spareribs that are gluten-free and contain no artificial ingredients.
  

Smithfield also offers fully cooked, seasoned, and sauced ribs, which are gluten-free and contain no high fructose corn syrup.

 

[Smokin Okie]

In any case the Smithfield ribs taste like sh!t.

I disagree, cooked them my last four of five cooks and they've been very good.

And they've got meat on them. As opposed to other ribs I'd been buying that were more bone than meat. Sams is cutting them very thin.

They might be enhanced, and even if they are, I've not found that to be a problem.

 

[SmokinEdge]

I disagree, cooked them my last four of five cooks and they've been very good.

And they've got meat on them. As opposed to other ribs I'd been buying that were more bone than meat. Sams is cutting them very thin.

They might be enhanced, and even if they are, I've not found that to be a problem.

I have to admit that years ago I bought them all the time and they were delicious. Then some time ago they got salty, then bought again and not to bad, then bought again and to salty. So it’s a roller coaster with your time and money, that’s my experience. So I don’t buy anymore, that said I know they sell a lot of them and I’m glad you like them.

 

[Smokin Okie]

I have to admit that years ago I bought them all the time and they were delicious. Then some time ago they got salty, then bought again and not to bad, then bought again and to salty. So it’s a roller coaster with your time and money, that’s my experience. So I don’t buy anymore, that said I know they sell a lot of them and I’m glad you like them.

After more thought .............. when I smoke whole spares, I go Texas ribs, season with S/P only . I like a savory rib. And I'm probably adjusting for the salt in the enhanced rib without realizing it.

But in all three of those Harry Soo vids above, he likes the Smithfield.

 

[Smokin Okie]

Its a USDA rule that meats enhanced with sodium must state that on the packaging. There is nothing on Smithfield ribs that says they're enhanced.

And next time I'm at Walmart , I'm gonna look over the packaging closely. I'm just going by the pics at the Walmart link I posted above.

I'm starting to think the AI is wrong.

 

[chopsaw]

Google search question: are Smithfield ribs enhanced

Google search with the same question

I've really started paying attention to product labels and knowing what means what . Always check the ingredients list .

I had web pages that deal with the ingredients and the nutritional values . You can search the product by the UPC number to make sure you're getting the info for what you have .

My search term for these ribs was Smithfield Extra tender frozen spareribs ingredients .
The results from both AI and a cooks product website were as follows , copied from the AI result .

Smithfield Extra Tender Frozen Pork Spareribs contain pork, water, and up to 8% of a solution that includes 2% or less of the following ingredients: Sodium phosphates, Potassium acetate, Potassium lactate, and Salt.

At some point over the summer the place I buy ribs started selling the spares as frozen only .
My gut tells me that is because they are enhanced . They freeze them because keeping them stocked in the meat case turns them to mush over an extended length of time .
I don't know that to be fact , but we all do this on our own , and know the effects injecting or brining has on proteins .

 

[texomakid]

I cooked a pair of spare ribs for New Years day that I bought at Sam's about 2 months ago on sale. They had the collar bone removed already so I didn't have to remove it myself this time. I don't trim so I left the membrane & the skirt flap on them. These were very thick meaty ribs and oddly enough, everyone who helped us eat them up agreed how meaty they were. I suspect they would have made a good St Louis trim but I like em whole.

With that being said I too have gotten skinny ribs from Sam's as well but this pack was spot on. Sometimes I guess we get lucky and I made a career out of being lucky :)

Local Brookshires offers Hormel and they too are hit and miss on substance.

 

[Smokin Okie]

I've really started paying attention to product labels and knowing what means what . Always check the ingredients list .

I had web pages that deal with the ingredients and the nutritional values . You can search the product by the UPC number to make sure you're getting the info for what you have .

My search term for these ribs was Smithfield Extra tender frozen spareribs ingredients .
The results from both AI and a cooks product website were as follows , copied from the AI result .

Smithfield Extra Tender Frozen Pork Spareribs contain pork, water, and up to 8% of a solution that includes 2% or less of the following ingredients: Sodium phosphates, Potassium acetate, Potassium lactate, and Salt.

At some point over the summer the place I buy ribs started selling the spares as frozen only .
My gut tells me that is because they are enhanced . They freeze them because keeping them stocked in the meat case turns them to mush over an extended length of time .
I don't know that to be fact , but we all do this on our own , and know the effects injecting or brining has on proteins .

I was at Walmart yesterday evening, and the Smithfield rib packaging does say they're enhanced. But its in fine print and hard to find on the package.

I agree, I think you're right on as to why they're frozen.

 

[Smokin Okie]

I cooked a pair of spare ribs for New Years day that I bought at Sam's about 2 months ago on sale. They had the collar bone removed already so I didn't have to remove it myself this time. I don't trim so I left the membrane & the skirt flap on them. These were very thick meaty ribs and oddly enough, everyone who helped us eat them up agreed how meaty they were. I suspect they would have made a good St Louis trim but I like em whole.

With that being said I too have gotten skinny ribs from Sam's as well but this pack was spot on. Sometimes I guess we get lucky and I made a career out of being lucky :)

Local Brookshires offers Hormel and they too are hit and miss on substance.

I guess it depends upon whether the pig had a lot of meat on his bones. And then the packager is probably gonna sort out the thicker racks from the skinny ones.

I like how Sams cuts that breast bone off, I don't have to pay for it.