BBQ Short Rib Oven Recipe - Delicious Meal Ideas

BBQ short ribs are a classic dish, loved for their tender meat and savory taste. While grilling is usually the method folks gravitate towards, I’ve found that cooking short ribs in the oven simplifies the process.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 15

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these tender BBQ short ribs:
6 Beef - Ribs: 6 x 300–350g / 10–12 oz short ribs, patted dry

- Rub Extras:

1 - tbsp brown sugar you could also use white sugar
1 - tsp cumin powder
1 - tsp garlic powder or substitute with 1 tsp fresh minced garlic
2 - tsp smoked paprika
1 - tsp onion powder if you’re out, try garlic powder instead
3/4 - tsp mustard powder this gives a subtle tang
1 - tsp kosher salt reduce by 25% if using table salt
1/2 - tsp freshly ground black pepper

- BBQ Sauce Components:

2 - garlic cloves, minced or use 2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 - cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar if that's all you have
1 1/2 - cups ketchup or your favorite tomato sauce
1/2 - cup brown sugar, loosely packed again, white sugar will work
2 - tsp black pepper
2 - tsp onion powder
2 - tsp mustard powder
1 - tsp cayenne pepper adjust based on your heat preference
1 - tbsp Worcestershire sauce substitute with soy sauce if needed
2 - cups water

- Optional Garnish:

- Chopped parsley or chives for a fresh touch

Method

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). This low temperature will give the ribs plenty of time to become tender without drying out.

Step 2: Create the Rub

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cumin powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. This blend creates that irresistible flavor that coats the ribs. Place the beef ribs in the bowl, pressing them into the rub until all sides are well coated. Be sure to shake off any excess rub to avoid burning during cooking.

Step 3: Mix the BBQ Sauce

In a large baking pan, combine all your BBQ sauce ingredients, except the water. Be thorough in mixing everything together. It should have a slightly thick consistency. Then, mix in the water until you achieve a smooth sauce.

Step 4: Coat the Ribs

Transfer the ribs into the pan with the BBQ sauce, turning them to coat evenly. Lay the ribs meat-side down and let the bones peek up above the sauce. Don’t worry if they aren’t completely submerged.

Step 5: Bake Low and Slow

Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or a lid, and put it in the preheated oven. Cook for about 3.5 hours. After this time, carefully remove the foil. If any ribs have toppled over, just flip them back. Spoon some sauce over the top of the ribs to keep them moist.

Step 6: Finish Off Uncovered

Bake the ribs uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. During this time, use a spoon to baste the ribs with the sauce halfway through. This extra time gives the ribs a beautiful caramelization on top, making them sticky and full of flavor.

Step 7: Check for Tenderness

After 30 minutes, check the ribs for tenderness. You can pry them apart gently with two forks; they should easily come apart. If they need more time, simply cover them again and return them to the oven.

Step 8: Serve Up

Once the ribs are perfectly tender, transfer them to a serving plate. The meat will likely fall right off the bone—use a spoon to scoop them up carefully. Finally, give the sauce a good stir and spoon it generously over the ribs before serving.

Notes

- Opt for high-quality ribs: The better the beef, the better your final dish will be.

- Adjust seasoning: Feel free to modify the spice amounts based on your taste preferences.

- Don’t skip the basting step: This ensures that the ribs are coated, caramelized, and full of flavor.

- Make it in advance: The flavors deepen over time, so consider preparing this a day early for a party.

- Leftovers? They taste just as good reheated, making for excellent meal prep!