Slow Cooked Beef Ribs in BBQ Sauce – Fall-Apart Tender Perfection!

Hey barbecue lovers! 


Get ready for the most incredible Slow Cooked Beef Ribs you'll ever taste! These beef short ribs are braised for hours in a homemade barbecue sauce until the meat is ridiculously juicy inside and bronzed and sticky outside. With a 4.8-star rating and countless rave reviews, this is hands-down one of the best cuts for slow cooking. Get ready for meat that literally falls off the bone! Let's get cooking! 





Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rated 4.8 Stars by barbecue enthusiasts worldwide! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Fall-apart tender meat with the most incredible sticky glaze.
  • 100% make-ahead and freezer friendly - perfect for entertaining.
  • Far superior to beef chuck - more marbling means more flavor!


Tools You'll Need

Large Baking Pan

Digital Thermometer

Mixing Bowls

Tongs


Ingredients

For the Ribs:

  • 6 x 300-350g / 10-12 oz beef short ribs, patted dry

For the Rub:

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 3/4 tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the Barbecue Sauce:

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, loosely packed
  • 2 tsp each black pepper, onion powder, mustard powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups water

Optional Garnish:

  • Parsley or chives, chopped


Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F (both fan & standard).
  2. Make the Rub: Mix all rub ingredients in a bowl large enough to fit one rib. Press beef ribs into the rub, coating all sides. Shake off excess.
  3. Make the BBQ Sauce: Mix all barbecue sauce ingredients except water in a baking pan. Then mix in water.
  4. Coat Ribs: Place ribs in sauce, turning to coat. Arrange meat side down in the sauce, bone side exposed (sauce won't cover completely).
  5. Bake 3.5 hours: Cover tightly with foil or lid, bake 3 1/2 hours.
  6. Remove from oven, remove foil. Turn ribs (some may have fallen over, that's ok). Spoon over sauce.
  7. Bake 30 minutes: Bake 30 minutes uncovered, spooning over sauce again halfway through, until surface is caramelized and sticky.
  8. Check tenderness - pry apart using two forks. Meat should be falling off the bone!
  9. Serve: Remove ribs onto serving plate. Mix sauce to bring together. Serve and enjoy! 


Pro Tips

  • Choose meaty ribs: Look for chunky rectangle cuts called Beef Short Ribs.
  • Don't use brined ribs (check ingredients - should only say "beef").
  • Ribs shrink 30% during cooking - bigger is better!


Recipe Variations

  • Different Cuts: Use beef cheeks or chuck (2kg/4lb) - check at 2 hours.
  • Spice Level: Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred heat level.
  • Grill Finish: For smokey flavor, finish on grill for 3 minutes per side.


FAQs

Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Gets better with time. Keeps 5 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen.

What if my sauce is too thick/thin?
Add boiling water to thin, or return to oven to thicken. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Can I use a slow cooker?
Yes! 8 hours on low, then finish in oven for 30 minutes to caramelize.



Slow Cooked Beef Ribs Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 15 mins

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrition Info: High Protein, Gluten-Free Optional

Ingredients:

Ribs: 6 beef short ribs (300-350g each)

Rub: 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp each garlic & onion powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 3/4 tsp mustard powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper

Sauce: 2 garlic cloves, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 1 1/2 cups ketchup, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp each pepper/onion powder/mustard powder, 1 tsp cayenne, 1 tbsp Worcestershire, 2 cups water

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F.
  2. Coat ribs in rub mixture.
  3. Mix sauce ingredients in baking pan.
  4. Arrange ribs meat-side down in sauce.
  5. Cover and bake 3.5 hours.
  6. Uncover, turn ribs, spoon sauce over.
  7. Bake 30 minutes uncovered until sticky.
  8. Serve with extra sauce!


So there you have it - the most incredible Slow Cooked Beef Ribs that will have everyone begging for seconds! 

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments which cut of beef you used. 

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