These baked BBQ short ribs have a smokey, sweet taste with a delectable, tender texture that will leave you wanting more! They are the best entrée for a picnic or a fun BBQ dinner with friends and family!
Baked BBQ short ribs are never short on flavor and always impress!
With just 5 ingredients, these baked BBQ short ribs are easy to make, tender, and flavorful. You'll want to make these finger-licking ribs every day of the week!
Using beef short ribs in this recipe guarantees a delicious meaty flavor to pair well with the BBQ sauce of your choice! Nice and tender with a great smokey, sweet flavor, what else could you need in your BBQ?
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These ribs are paired with any BBQ sauce of your choosing, so you can control the flavor profile! Go with a sweet and spicy, maybe a savory and smokey, the choice is yours!
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
A Crowd-Pleasing Dish! Everyone enjoys these ribs for their excellent flavor and succulent texture, you cannot go wrong!
Simple to Make! Just season these babies, top with sauce and optional liquid smoke and brown sugar, then throw them in the oven!
Only 5 Ingredients! With just 5 ingredients you get perfectly cooked short ribs that will make you wish you had this recipe sooner!
🥘 INGREDIENTS
Season with salt and pepper and that optional brown sugar and you'll be in heaven! Try different BBQ sauces to switch it up from time to time!
- 4 pounds Beef Short Ribs - When trying to find great beef short ribs, you want to look for ones that have great marbling. Marbling is the mixture of fat, which provides moisture and flavor, and meat, which provides texture.
- ⅔ cup BBQ Sauce - Use any kind you like! Sweet and savory, maybe a more vinegar-based sauce, if you're into the Carolina style. You could even make your own if you'd like. We have a delicious Hawaiian BBQ sauce you can try!
- ¼ teaspoon each Salt and Pepper - Season, season, season! Always important, no matter what dish you are making. I always use kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
- 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke (optional) - As the name suggests, it gives your ribs a delightful smokey element.
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (optional) - Honestly, I definitely advise you use this because it helps caramelize the ribs beautifully.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*
🔪 Instructions
With these 3 simple steps, you can have tender, juicy and delicious ribs! The only pieces of equipment you need are tongs, basting brush, foil and a baking dish!
- Season. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), trust me, you want to bake low and slow for the ribs to come out super tender. Season short ribs in a baking dish with salt and pepper. If you are using the liquid smoke, mix it with the BBQ sauce in a medium bowl.
- Sauce. Using a basting brush, brush the BBQ sauce onto the seasoned short ribs. Make sure to coat all surfaces of the ribs. If using the brown sugar, simply sprinkle it all over the ribs.
- Bake. Cover the ribs with aluminum foil. Bake for 3 hours on the middle rack of the oven. Remove aluminum foil and brown for 30 minutes. Ribs can be removed from the oven and served immediately, or broiled for 3-4 minutes on high for extra caramelization before serving.
Pair them with some Southern fried corn or loaded baked potato salad to have the perfect picnic experience! Check out all of my favorite BBQ ribs side dishes too! Enjoy!
💭 Tips & Notes
- Pop them under the broiler! If you want to achieve a crisp, but sticky, sweet texture, broil your ribs on high until caramelized, about 3-5 minutes.
- Use BBQ rub for extra flavor! If you want to amp up the flavor a bit more, use your favorite BBQ rub in place of the salt and pepper!
- When carving the ribs, place them upside down to where you can see the bones. Carefully slice in between each bone with a sharp cleaver or large chef's knife.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
When storing the leftover ribs, place in an air-tight container, they will last in the fridge for 5-7 days.
Store ribs in the same airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months. That in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating Baked BBQ Short Ribs
For reheating the ribs, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), place the ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 8 minutes, until bubbling and sizzling!
🍖 Great BBQ Side Dishes!
- Southern Coleslaw
- Smoked Baked Potato
- Milk Butter Boiled Corn on the Cob
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Southern Fried Corn
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📖 Recipe Card
Baked BBQ Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 lbs beef short ribs
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- ⅔ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke (optional, to mix with BBQ sauce)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- To begin, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Season your short ribs generously with salt and pepper and place them in a baking dish.4 lbs beef short ribs, ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- In a small bowl combine the BBQ sauce and Liquid Smoke (if using). Brush the sauce over each seasoned rib and sprinkle the optional brown sugar over the top, if desired (this will help the ribs to caramelize). Then, cover the baking dish with foil.⅔ cup BBQ sauce, 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke, 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Place the covered baking dish on the center of the middle rack in the oven and bake for 3 hours. At the 3 hour mark, remove the foil and let the ribs continue to brown for an additional 30 minutes. Serve immediately. *Optionally, broil the ribs on high for 3-5 minutes at the end for extra caramelization.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- Don't increase the heat in an attempt to speed up cooking. The low and slow method is important to getting fall-apart ribs!
- The short ribs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until they are sufficiently warmed through.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
Colleen A Stellwagen says
Made these yesterday I added a pinch garlic powder, and used smoked paprika seasoning instead of liquid smoke. My ribs were leaner from steer we had butchered they were Absolutely Delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe!!
Andrew Vargo says
Trying this recipe for the first time tomorrow. A bit of adjustment, as my Short Ribs are not meaty as the recipe requires. However, being lean will shorten the braising time and the bones will add to the flavor. Not using brown sugar or liquid smoke, but just a schmere of honey and cayenne pepper. Very excited about a delicious result. Serving with Mamie (my mom) Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Corn and White Bread to sop up the sauce.Thank you.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Andrew that sounds incredible! Please share your results with me on FB or via email.
Pam says
Trying tonight. Having fried corn and macaroni and cheese with our barbequed short ribs ❤️
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
That sounds so good, hope you enjoy!
Eric says
Is the cooking time the same if using boneless short ribs?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
If the weight is the same, the timing can be close. However, without the bone in the meat there is nothing to hinder the heat permeating the meat. The connective tissues will break down faster, which will cook faster overall. This is a low-and-slow recipe where you're not cooking the short ribs to medium-rare but rather fully cooked so just watch and ensure they're not overcooked! Thanks for asking!
Sib says
Could I use this recipe for 7 lbs of not-so-short ribs? It says short ribs, but they are 8-10 inches long.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, you can use this recipe with any ribs. These short ribs are very meaty, so if you have ribs with a bit less meat you may want to check them earlier. Enjoy!
Carlos says
Very good recipe, I love short ribs, the instructions were perfect, thanks!
Melissa Lynn Walker says
What is the internal temp they should be ?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
After 3 hours of cooking, these ribs should be well above the minimum safe temperature that is recommended by the USDA (145F). Your ribs should be between 200-205F when you pull them from the oven to rest. Enjoy!