Ingredients
Method
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). If you have a fan-assisted oven, you can use that setting. This low temperature is crucial for slowly cooking those ribs to perfection.
Step 2: Prepare the Rub
- In a mixing bowl, combine all your rub ingredients: brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until it's well combined. Press each of the beef short ribs into the rub, making sure to coat all sides. Shake off any extra. This rub is going to give those ribs an incredible depth of flavor during cooking.
Step 3: Mix the BBQ Sauce
- In a baking pan large enough to hold the ribs, mix together the barbecue sauce ingredients: minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, black pepper, onion powder, mustard powder, cayenne, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until it’s blended nicely, then add the water and mix until smooth.
Step 4: Coat the Ribs in Sauce
- Take your rubbed ribs and place them into the baking pan with the sauce. Turn them to coat well, then lay them in the pan with the meat side facing downward. The bone side should be facing up—this is okay if the sauce doesn't cover them entirely.
Step 5: Bake the Ribs
- Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil or a lid. Pop it into your preheated oven and let those ribs cook for 3.5 hours. This slow cooking will make them tender and flavorful.
Step 6: Turn and Sauce the Ribs
- After 3.5 hours, remove the ribs from the oven. Carefully peel back the foil, and gently turn the ribs over. Don't worry if some of them shift around; just make sure they are coated in that luscious sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of the ribs again.
Step 7: Caramelize the Sauce
- Pop the ribs back in the oven, uncovered this time, and let them bake for another 30 minutes. During this time, use a spoon to baste the sauce over the ribs about halfway through. You want the surface to get sticky and caramelized, creating a fantastic outer layer.
Step 8: Check for Tenderness and Serve
- After 30 minutes have passed, check the tenderness by prying the meat apart with two forks. If it’s falling off the bone, you’re good to go! If not, cover them back up and let them bake for another 15 to 30 minutes. When ready, carefully place the ribs on a serving platter. Give the sauce a quick stir to combine, and serve it alongside the ribs for dipping.
Notes
- Don’t rush the cooking: Low and slow is the secret to tender ribs.
- Experiment with flavors: Feel free to add other spices to the rub if you're feeling adventurous, like a dash of chili powder for heat.
- Check the sauce seasonings: Before serving, taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Use quality meat: Opt for beautiful marbled beef short ribs for maximum flavor.
- Plan ahead: These ribs can be made a day in advance, just reheat gently in the oven before serving.
