Grilled short ribs are packed with flavor and, when cooked correctly, delectably tender. And, just in case you’re worried that it’s a complicated process to learn how to grill short ribs, we’re here to tell you it’s not. We’ve listed every step to help you grill short ribs on your own, just like the pros do.
But first, start with a high-quality cut. Opting for inexpensive ribs can be tempting, but the better cut you start with, the higher the quality of your final short ribs will be. Shop for premium Angus beef short ribs that are already tender and full of flavor from the start. Once you cook them using the following tips, you’ll learn how to enhance what’s already there to achieve steakhouse-quality grilled short ribs.
Table of Contents
Ingredients Needed for Grilling Short Ribs
For any grilled short rib recipe, you need three main ingredients:
- The short ribs (2-3 short ribs per person)
- Seasoning (your preference)
- Oil or melted butter
You’ll brush the oil or melted butter onto the short ribs before seasoning them unless you’re using a dry rub. This helps the seasoning adhere to the ribs’ surface and allows the meat to crisp up nicely on the grill. Some people also like to drizzle melted butter over the short ribs after cooking for a little extra flavor.
Your biggest decision to make when grilling short ribs is deciding what seasonings to use. You can either sprinkle a few seasonings on the ribs, like salt, pepper, and a little cayenne pepper, or go with a dry rub. Dry rubs are very flavorful and work well for grilled meats. For short ribs, a mix of brown sugar, cayenne powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper is a popular way to go. You can also season simply with salt and pepper and brush on barbecue sauce instead.
Equipment Needed to Grill Short Ribs
Grilled short ribs doesn’t require any special equipment other than the traditional grilling tools you usually use. So, you’ll need a grill, clean grill grates or a grill pan, and metal grill-safe tongs.
Now, you might wonder whether a charcoal or gas grill is best. As in most cases, either one works just fine, so long as you have experience using it. Be sure you know how to adjust the heat in the type of grill you’ll use, as you’ll need to reduce the heat during the cooking process.
Dual-temperature gas grills are typically the easiest to use when grilling short ribs because they allow you to have high-heat and low-heat sides of the grill. You can also use a temperature knob to adjust the temperature to where you need it rather than guessing the temperature based on flame.
But as long as you’re well-versed in adjusting the flame in a charcoal grill, you’ll be just fine using that, too.
How to Grill Short Ribs
When you’re ready to learn how to grill short ribs, follow these steps.
Step 1: Prepare the Grill
Make sure your grill grates are cleaned and oiled to prevent sticking. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, or about 400 degrees if you have a temperature knob. If you have a dual-temperature grill, heat another area of the grill to about 275 degrees.
Step 2: Prepare the Short Ribs
As the grill heats up, prepare your short ribs. If using seasoning, brush melted butter or olive oil on all sides of the short ribs. Then, sprinkle with your choice of seasoning. We like to use a simple mix of salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors.
If using a dry rub, mix together your seasonings in a bowl first. Then, spread the seasonings on each short rib, using your fingertips to gently press the rub into the meat on all sides. Or, skip the seasonings and brush your favorite barbecue sauce on all sides of the short ribs.
Step 3: Grill the Short Ribs
Transfer the short ribs to the high-heat area of the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes or until that side becomes lightly seared. Turn each short rib to the other side to cook for another 2-3 minutes until seared. Then, reduce the heat or move the ribs to the low-heat side of the grill. Wrap them loosely in foil or butcher paper and cook them for another 1-2 hours. Brush more barbecue sauce onto the short ribs after lowering the heat, if you’d like. Keep the grill lid closed during this low-heat round of cooking. The ribs are done when they reach between 190-200 degrees.
Step 4: Rest and Enjoy
Once done cooking, remove the short ribs from the grill and put them on a plate at room temperature. Tent a piece of foil over the ribs, and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving them.
Temperature Guidelines and Tips
For the best results, cook your short ribs on the grill until they reach 190-200 degrees. This typically takes between 1-2 hours, depending on how low the heat is on your grill. Once they reach this temperature, the connective tissue has had time to break down, making them tender and flavorful. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the ribs, and check two or three ribs before removing them from the grill.
Seasoning and Serving Grilled Short Ribs
If you’re using barbecue sauce on your grilled short ribs, give them another quick brush of barbecue sauce right after you remove them from the grill. This helps add another layer of flavor to the ribs.
After letting the ribs rest for 5-10 minutes, you can slice them in between the bones or leave the sections whole for serving. Potatoes, roasted vegetables, pasta salad, and green salad are popular options to serve with grilled short ribs. You can also get inspiration for sides to serve with short ribs at Steak University.
Recipe Variations
There are virtually endless ways to enjoy grilled short ribs because you can experiment with your seasonings and dry rubs to your heart’s content. Or, use a steak marinade to add bright and zesty flavors to grilled short ribs.
Also, don’t be afraid to go out of the box with your recipe once you’ve mastered the basics of grilling short ribs. For instance, you can use a teriyaki-style marinade for an Asian-inspired meal or use a mix of southwest-style spices, like ancho chili powder and smoked paprika, to create a spicy dry rub.
Conclusion: How to Grill Short Ribs
You’ve made it to the end of our guide on grilling short ribs, which means you’re now ready to start grilling on your own. Order short ribs online from Chicago Steak Company, and you’ll be ready to grill in just a few days when they arrive at your door. Don’t forget to follow along with Steak University for more grilled beef recipes, cooking tips, and steak cut guides. You can even learn how to cook Korean short ribs at home.
Grilled Short Ribs
Ingredients
- short ribs (2-3 per person)
- seasoning (your preference)
- oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Make sure your grill grates are cleaned and oiled to prevent sticking. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, or about 400 degrees if you have a temperature knob. If you have a dual-temperature grill, heat another area of the grill to about 275 degrees.
- As the grill heats up, prepare your short ribs. If using seasoning, brush melted butter or olive oil on all sides of the short ribs. Then, sprinkle with your choice of seasoning. We like to use a simple mix of salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors.
- Transfer the short ribs to the high-heat area of the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes or until that side becomes lightly seared. Turn each short rib to the other side to cook for another 2-3 minutes until seared. Then, reduce the heat or move the ribs to the low-heat side of the grill.
- Wrap them loosely in foil or butcher paper and cook them for another 1-2 hours. Brush more barbecue sauce onto the short ribs after lowering the heat, if you’d like.
- Keep the grill lid closed during this low-heat round of cooking. The ribs are done when they reach between 190-200 degrees.
- Once done cooking, remove the short ribs from the grill and put them on a plate at room temperature. Tent a piece of foil over the ribs, and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving them.