Costco’s cooked baby back ribs are a popular item in their prepared foods section. For those looking for a quick and tasty meal solution, Costco’s pre-cooked ribs can be a great option. But how much do they cost? Let’s take a closer look at the pricing on Costco’s cooked ribs.
Costco’s Cooked Rib Options
Costco offers cooked baby back ribs in a few different package sizes:
- 2 racks of ribs
- 3 racks of ribs
- 4 racks of ribs
The ribs are smoked off-site and then finished in Costco’s kitchens. They come pre-sauced in Costco’s own sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. The ribs are fully cooked and just need to be heated before serving.
Pricing on Cooked Ribs at Costco
Here are the current prices on Costco’s pre-cooked baby back ribs:
| Package Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 racks | $18.99 |
| 3 racks | $24.99 |
| 4 racks | $32.99 |
As you can see from the table, the larger the package, the lower the per-rack price. Buying in bulk brings some savings at Costco, as expected.
Cost Per Pound
To get a better sense of the true cost, let’s look at the price per pound:
| Package Size | Total Weight | Price Per Package | Price Per Pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 racks | 5 lbs | $18.99 | $3.80/lb |
| 3 racks | 7.5 lbs | $24.99 | $3.33/lb |
| 4 racks | 10 lbs | $32.99 | $3.30/lb |
Looking at cost per pound, the 4 rack package provides the best value at $3.30/lb. The 3 rack package is a close second at $3.33/lb. Buying bigger packages brings the average cost per pound down.
How Much Meat Per Rack?
To estimate how many servings you’ll get from each rack, here is a rough breakdown:
- Each rack has about 1.5-2 lbs of meat
- Figure approximately 1/4 lb of meat per average serving size
- So each rack provides around 6-8 servings
Using those estimates, here is how many total servings each package contains:
| Package Size | Total Servings |
|---|---|
| 2 racks | 12 – 16 |
| 3 racks | 18 – 24 |
| 4 racks | 24 – 32 |
The 4 rack package provides 24-32 servings, which should be enough for 6-8 people with hearty appetites. The 2 rack package provides 12-16 servings, good for 3-4 hungry people. Estimate your group size to determine the best package size.
Are the Ribs a Good Value?
Compared to buying raw ribs and cooking them yourself, Costco’s pre-cooked ribs provide convenience at a moderate premium. Grocery store raw ribs tend to cost $2-3 per pound. At $3.30-3.80 per pound fully cooked, Costco’s ribs cost around $1 more per pound for the pre-cooking.
For special occasions like game day or a summer BBQ, paying a bit more for the convenience may be worth it to some shoppers. But for frequent rib eaters, buying raw and cooking at home would likely be more budget friendly.
Pros
- Fully cooked, just heat and serve
- Tender and sauced ribs
- Bulk packages feed a crowd
Cons
- More expensive than cooking raw ribs
- Need adequate storage space for bulk packages
- Quality can be inconsistent
Conclusion
Costco’s pre-cooked baby back ribs provide a convenient meal option for rib lovers. Prices range from $3.33-3.80 per pound, depending on bulk package size. The 4 rack package offers the best value per pound. Estimate 6-8 servings per rack to determine how much you need. While not the most budget friendly, for special occasions or busy times, Costco’s cooked ribs can be a tasty time saver.