Easy Oven Baked Beef Short Ribs - Best Slow Braised

Cooking beef short ribs in the oven is a great way to achieve tender, juicy ribs. Oven-baking allows for slow, even cooking that makes the meat fall-off-the-bone tender. The sweet and sour braising liquid is a wonderful addition. This cooking method is perfect for creating a comforting and delicious meal.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

If you love BBQ beef ribs, this short ribs recipe is just as delicious and adds a unique recipe to your list of favorites. The ingredients are easy to find, and the preparation steps are straightforward. The slow baking method ensures that the ribs are incredibly tender and flavorful.

This short ribs recipe is simple yet delivers restaurant-quality results. The ingredients are easy to find, and the preparation steps are straightforward. The slow baking method ensures that the ribs are incredibly tender and flavorful.

Whether you're an experienced cook or a beginner, you'll appreciate how effortlessly you can create a dish that feels like gourmet comfort food. Plus, the rich, savory taste of the braised beef short ribs will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why This Recipe Works

Braising and slow baking are key to this recipe. Using simple ingredients ensures you get the best results. The right oven temperature and cooking process create juicy ribs that are rich, tender and satisfying.

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Selecting the Beef Ribs

For this cut of beef, you want to choose bone-in short ribs that have plenty of meat, nicely marbled without any excess fat and evenly sized. Your ribs should be cut and separated between the bones. If they are one slab, you will need to use a very sharp knife to cut the ribs apart.

Step 2: Preparing the Ribs

Rinse the ribs in cold water and use a paper towel to dry them off. Occasionally, there may be very small bone splinters from the sharp saws that cut through the bones.

Arrange the individual ribs bone side down in a large Dutch oven or roasting pan. Scatter sliced onion rings over the ribs.

Step 3: Making the Braising Liquid

In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, granulated sugar, water, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this mixture over the onions and ribs in the Dutch oven. Exact measurements are in the Recipe Card.

Step 4: Baking the Ribs

Preheat your oven to 300°F. Cover the Dutch oven and place it in the oven. If you are using a roasting pan without a cover, use aluminum foil to cover the pan. Slow bake the ribs at this lower temperature for 3 hours, unattended. A fork inserted into the ribs should go in easily and the meat should start pulling back for the bone. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 185 to 190°F.

Tips for Best Results

• If you don't have a Dutch oven, use a large baking dish covered with aluminum foil.
• Do not increase the oven temperature to quicken the cooking time. Slow cooking is important for tender, tasty ribs.
• Ensure the internal temperature of the ribs reaches 190°F for safety and melt-in-your-mouth results. The temperature of the ribs will continue to rise about 5 degree after removing from the oven.
• If you want to make the ribs a day ahead of time, the next day you can skim and discard any congealed fat off of the top of the ribs before reheating.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

• Store any leftover short ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 250°F for about 15 to 30 minutes, or until warmed through, or on the stovetop over medium heat.
• If additional liquid is needed to reheat your ribs, add a little beef broth to the pot.

Cooking beef short ribs in the oven is a straightforward process that results in a hearty, comforting main course. Just add mashed potatoes, an old fashioned cucumber and onion salad or Mexican corn in a cup to create the perfect meal. 

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