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Slow-baked boneless beef short ribs glazed with BBQ sauce, served with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables

The Best Boneless Beef Short Ribs: Fall-Apart Tender Recipe

These slow baked boneless beef short ribs are perfectly tender and full of flavor, slow-cooked in a delicious BBQ sauce that makes them melt in your mouth. Perfect for any meal, these ribs are guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 40 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Traditional European butchery techniques
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Bone-In Option: If you prefer bone-in short ribs, you can substitute them for the boneless variety. Just ensure you use the English cut for more meat and less bone.
  • BBQ Sauce: Feel free to adjust the amount of BBQ sauce used to suit your taste preferences. You can use different types of BBQ sauce for varied flavors.
  • Slow Cooker: You can also prepare these ribs in a slow cooker. Sear the short ribs before placing them in the cooker and add the sauce. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until tender.

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds of boneless beef short ribs
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • ½ –2/3 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup onion minced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ cup Bacon BBQ Sauce or any BBQ sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C), positioning the rack in the middle of the oven. This slow-baking process requires low heat for maximum tenderness.
    Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the ketchup, liquid smoke, brown sugar, minced onion, garlic powder, and BBQ sauce. Stir occasionally and cook until the sauce is thick and bubbly, which should take about 10 minutes.
    The Best Boneless Beef Short Ribs: Fall-Apart Tender Recipe
  • Season the Ribs: Pat the boneless beef short ribs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper for an added depth of flavor.
    The Best Boneless Beef Short Ribs: Fall-Apart Tender Recipe
  • Arrange the Ribs: Place the seasoned ribs in a 13x9-inch glass baking dish. If the ribs are too large, cut them to fit. Pour about 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce mixture over the ribs.
    Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake the ribs for 2 1/2 hours. This slow-baking method will break down the meat, making it fall-apart tender.
    Flip and Add More Sauce: After 2 1/2 hours, carefully remove the foil, flip the ribs over, and spoon more of the BBQ sauce over them. Return the ribs to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes or until the ribs are fully cooked and browned on top.
    Make the Gravy (Optional): If you like a thicker sauce, strain the cooking liquid to separate the fat. In a saucepan, combine 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce with the remaining liquid, and bring it to a boil. Add a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with water) to thicken the sauce into a delicious gravy.
    Serve and Enjoy: Once the ribs are done, transfer them to a serving platter and drizzle with the thickened BBQ sauce or gravy. Serve immediately for the best flavor!
    The Best Boneless Beef Short Ribs: Fall-Apart Tender Recipe

Notes

Bone-In Option: If you prefer bone-in short ribs, you can substitute them for the boneless variety. Just ensure you use the English cut for more meat and less bone.
BBQ Sauce: Feel free to adjust the amount of BBQ sauce used to suit your taste preferences. You can use different types of BBQ sauce for varied flavors.
Slow Cooker: You can also prepare these ribs in a slow cooker. Sear the short ribs before placing them in the cooker and add the sauce. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until tender.
Keyword BBQ sauce, beef short ribs recipe, Boneless beef short ribs, fall-apart ribs, slow baked ribs, Tender short ribs