Question I cooked baby back ribs ($60 worth)for company last night at 325 for one hour and 45 minutes and set them out to cool. I left a note for my husband to stick them in the refridgerator thinking he was coming right home but he stopped for drinks and they were left out 2 hours and 45 minutes on the counter. I was going to finish cooking them on the grill for guests today and am concerned that they will be safe to eat now. Help!
Answer I think your ribs will still be safe, however you will need to make sure you cook them to at least 145 degrees when you finish them on the grill.
Food should never be allowed to be held at above 41 or below 135 degrees for more than 4 hours. If the ribs were warmer than 135 degrees when you took them out of the oven, the 4 hour rule would only start when they cooled to below 135 degrees, given they were on the counter for 2 hours and 45 minutes total, they should still be safe. Pork must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees to be considered safe, so if a temperature was not taken during the initial cooking, it should be taken when you finish them on the grill.
