smoked ribs?

rfcollins33

Okay, please help me! I'm, once again, confused. I bought ribs from the store earlier. The package says "Smoked spare ribs." I am wondering if I need to actually cook these, or just heat them?? What is the best way to do it? Is the meat cooked or not?? Thanks in advance for your expertise!!!

ArchyJill

If it says smoked then they are cooked, just reheat. I find it hard to believe it doesn't say that on the package somewhere. If you are nervous about it (especially if they are pork) then bring to temp.

Pandorian

Unless I can see clearly on the package that it is pre-cooked I do my own cooking to be sure.
I get my bacon smoked at the butcher, it still needs cooked, same as the hams... so I'd say it would need cooking.

deverez

In my experience, anything already smoked is cooked and only needs to be heated. For example, smoked turkey legs!

rfcollins33

Thanks guys!

callipygianchronicle

I would check for any language on the package that says “Ready to Eat” or “Heat and Serve.” If it is raw, I believe it is required to have that sticker with guidelines for proper cooking. If it doesn’t have it, it is more than likely pre-cooked and ready to eat.

bmreed0920

Not all "smoked" foods are FULLY cooked. They can smoke it half the time to allow the flavors into the meat. It will still need to be fully cooked. Unless it specifically says "FULLY COOKED" or "READY TO EAT" assume it is raw and fully cook it. Example: Hickory Smoked Bacon: still raw at the store and you have to cook it.

deverez

Smoking is a method of cooking. Bacon is typically cured and smoked , and MANY people eat it right out of the package. Although perishable, the bacon you find at the store is safe to eat without cooking.

Pandorian

Smoking done in a smoke-house etc with long-term exposure to the smoke... yeah that's a method of cooking

But there are injections used to preserve bacon etc that would mean they aren't cooked as one would think by 'smoking"

cmmull67

Smoking is a method of cooking. Bacon is typically cured and smoked , and MANY people eat it right out of the package. Although perishable, the bacon you find at the store is safe to eat without cooking.

No, smoking is not a method of cooking. It is a method of flavoring and preserving. Unless the food was hot smoked, assume it is not "ready to eat". Cold smoking does not prepare it for human consumption without being cooked by you. Most ham, bacon, and sausage is cold smoked, and need further cooking.

wonderish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_(cooking)