What Are Beef Short Ribs?

Beef short ribs are a richly flavoured beef cut taken from the rib and brisket area of the animal. They are cut across a section of rib bones, with generous layers of meat sitting between and around the bone.

They are not a quick-cook steak cut. Beef short ribs are made for low-and-slow cooking, where the meat has time to soften, the fat can render, and the connective tissue can break down into something rich, tender and properly full of flavour.

If you like deep beef flavour, slow cooking, BBQ, smoking or hearty comfort food, beef short ribs are well worth knowing about.

Where do beef short ribs come from?

Beef short ribs are cut from between the fore-rib and brisket area. This part of the animal has plenty of flavour, marbling and connective tissue, which is why short ribs respond so well to slow cooking.

Each section usually contains a few rib bones with thick layers of meat between them. At True Bites, our beef short ribs are hand-cut by our butchers and usually supplied in 1kg packs with 3 to 4 rib bones.

The bone is part of the appeal. It helps add flavour during cooking, and the meat around the bone becomes incredibly tasty when cooked slowly.

Why are they called short ribs?

They are called short ribs because they are cut from shorter sections of beef rib, rather than the long, full rib bones you might associate with a whole rib of beef or large BBQ-style beef ribs.

The name can be a little confusing, because beef short ribs are not necessarily small in terms of flavour. They are one of the richest, deepest tasting beef cuts when cooked properly.

What do beef short ribs taste like?

Beef short ribs have a deep, rich, beefy flavour. They are more intense than many quick-cook cuts because they contain more fat, connective tissue and meat close to the bone.

When cooked low and slow, the meat becomes tender, juicy and almost sticky, with that proper slow-cooked beef flavour you just do not get from a quick pan-fry.

This is why beef short ribs are so popular for BBQ, smoking, braising and slow cooking. They need time, but they pay you back for it.

Are beef short ribs the same as beef ribs?

Beef short ribs are one type of beef rib, but not all beef ribs are short ribs.

There are several beef rib cuts, including short ribs, flat ribs, Jacob’s ladder, back ribs and rib of beef. The names can get confusing because different butchers, BBQ cooks and recipes sometimes use them slightly differently.

In simple terms, beef short ribs are usually meaty rib sections cut from the lower rib and brisket area, while other beef rib cuts may be larger, flatter or taken from a different part of the rib section.

If you want the bigger picture, read our guide to types of beef ribs.

Are beef short ribs good for slow cooking?

Yes, beef short ribs are excellent for slow cooking.

In fact, slow cooking is one of the best ways to cook them. The meat needs time to soften, and the fat and connective tissue need time to break down. If you rush them, they can be tough. Give them time, and they become soft, rich and tender.

You can cook beef short ribs in a slow cooker, casserole dish, Dutch oven, smoker, BBQ or low oven. The method can change, but the principle stays the same: low heat, moisture, and patience.

How do you cook beef short ribs?

Beef short ribs are best cooked low and slow. A good basic method is to season the ribs, sear them in a hot pan, then cook them slowly with stock, gravy, vegetables, marinade or BBQ sauce until tender.

As a guide, beef short ribs can be cooked in the oven at 180°C, 160°C fan, Gas Mark 4 for around 3 to 4 hours, or until the meat is soft and starting to pull away from the bone.

They also work very well in a slow cooker. Sear them first if you can, then cook on low until the meat is tender.

For a full cooking method, read our guide to how to cook beef short ribs.

What can you make with beef short ribs?

Beef short ribs are incredibly versatile once you understand that they need time.

They work well for:

• Slow cooker beef short ribs
• BBQ beef ribs
• Smoked beef short ribs
• Oven-braised beef ribs
• Red wine braised short ribs
• Sticky BBQ beef ribs
• Beef rib stews and casseroles
• Rich beef gravy or sauce-based dishes

They are also excellent with mash, roast potatoes, rice, chips, slaw, roasted vegetables or crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

Are beef short ribs worth buying?

Yes, beef short ribs are worth buying if you enjoy rich, slow-cooked beef.

They are not the fastest cut to cook, but they are one of the most rewarding. You get deep flavour, meat on the bone, and a proper slow-cooked texture that feels like comfort food at its best.

If you are used to steaks and roasting joints, beef short ribs are a great cut to add to your cooking. They are especially good if you like BBQ, smoking or slow-cooked beef dishes.

FAQs

What are beef short ribs?

Beef short ribs are a meaty rib cut taken from the rib and brisket area of the animal. They usually contain several rib bones with generous layers of beef between and around the bones.

Are beef short ribs tough?

Beef short ribs can be tough if they are cooked too quickly. They need low-and-slow cooking so the fat and connective tissue have time to break down and the meat becomes tender.

Are beef short ribs good for BBQ?

Yes, beef short ribs are excellent for BBQ and smoking. They have deep beef flavour, good marbling and enough structure to cope with long, slow cooking.

Can you cook beef short ribs in the slow cooker?

Yes, beef short ribs work very well in the slow cooker. Sear them first for extra flavour, then cook them slowly with stock, gravy, vegetables or sauce until tender.

How many beef short ribs are in a pack?

This can vary depending on how they are cut, but our 1kg packs of beef short ribs usually contain 3 to 4 rib bones.

What is the difference between short ribs and flat ribs?

Short ribs are usually smaller rib sections with meat between the bones. Flat ribs, sometimes called Jacob’s ladder, are often larger and flatter sections of beef ribs. Both are suited to low-and-slow cooking.