Tender Country Style Beef Ribs – Easy Home Recipe
As autumn arrives, the air grows cooler and leaves turn colors. Nothing beats the smell of slow-cooked country style beef ribs in your kitchen. This dish brings back fond memories, reminding us of simpler times and family meals.
We’ll show you how to make tender country style beef ribs that everyone will love. They’re smothered in a rich onion au jus and seasoned with a perfect spice rub. These ribs will quickly become a favorite in your home. Let’s start making this comforting dish together.
Understanding Country Style Beef Ribs
Country style beef ribs are a true delight. They come from the chuck or shoulder area of the cow. This makes them different from pork spareribs or baby back ribs.
What’s special about them is their robust flavor and tender texture. They are a great choice for a satisfying home-cooked meal.
What Makes Country Style Ribs Different
Country style beef ribs are larger and more flavorful than other rib cuts. They come from the chuck or shoulder area. This area has more marbling and fat.
This higher fat content gives them a rich flavor and tender texture when cooked right.
Choosing the Best Cut for Your Recipe
When picking country style beef ribs, look for cuts with good marbling and fat. The fat keeps the meat moist and juicy while cooking. You can choose boneless or bone-in ribs, depending on what you like.
Bone-in ribs might take longer to cook. But they can add more flavor.
Marbling and Fat Content Importance
The marbling and fat content in beef short ribs and beef back ribs are key for great texture and flavor. As the ribs cook, the fat melts, basting the meat. This makes it juicy and flavorful.
Ribs with more fat are usually tender and taste better than leaner cuts.
“The fat renders down during cooking, adding juiciness and flavor to the meat. Country style ribs can be made with boneless or bone-in cuts, depending on preference.”
Essential Ingredients and Equipment
To make perfect grilled or slow-cooked ribs, you need the right stuff. For this recipe, you’ll need a few key items:
- Country style beef ribs
- Root beer
- Vanilla extract
- Soy sauce
- Seasonings (garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, tarragon)
- Bay leaves
- Onion gravy mix
You’ll also need a covered roaster or crockpot for slow-cooking. A large yellow onion is key for the onion au jus. For thicker gravy, use a bit of cornstarch.
Want to try something different? Use a Dutch oven to braise the ribs. It’s a great way to get tender, flavorful ribs like slow-cooking.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Country style beef ribs | 6 servings |
| Root beer | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Soy sauce | 2 tablespoons |
| Garlic salt | 1 tablespoon |
| Black pepper | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Onion powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Tarragon | 1 tablespoon |
| Bay leaves | 2 |
| Onion gravy mix | 1 packet |
| Yellow onion | 1 large |
| Cornstarch (optional) | To thicken |
With these ingredients and tools, you’re ready to make delicious ribs. They’ll impress your family and friends.
Perfect Spice Rub and Marinade Preparation
Take your dry rub ribs and marinade to the next level with a special spice blend. Making the perfect spice rub and marinade is crucial. It turns simple beef ribs into a dish that’s both delicious and impressive.
Creating the Signature Spice Blend
Begin by mixing 1/4 cup each of brown sugar, paprika, mild chili powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon each of garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix well to get a fragrant, balanced dry rub.
This blend can be kept for up to 6 months in an airtight container. It’s perfect for future rib cravings.
Marinade Options and Techniques
To make a tasty marinade, mix 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 2 tablespoons water. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the dry rub to make a thick paste. Coat the ribs well, cover, and chill for 6 to 12 hours.
Proper Seasoning Application Methods
After marinating, throw away any marinade that touched raw meat. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of dry rub on each side of the ribs. Rub it in to make sure the seasoning sticks.
This step creates a tasty crust and keeps flavors locked in during cooking.
By following these steps, you’ll make amazing dry rub ribs and marinade. Your family and friends will love the smell and taste. Get ready to impress them with your cooking skills.
Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Getting perfect barbecue ribs or slow-cooked ribs at home is a tasty journey. First, heat your oven to 325°F (165°C) or set your slow cooker to low. Then, season 3 pounds of pork shoulder country style ribs, about 8 ribs, with your homemade spice rub. Put the seasoned ribs in a baking dish or your slow cooker.
Now, add the marinade and chopped onions to the ribs. Cover the dish or slow cooker. Let it cook. In the oven, ribs cook for 2.5 hours. In the slow cooker, they need about 6 hours to be tender and flavorful.
- After cooking, take out 2 cups of the flavorful liquid from the dish or slow cooker.
- Mix the liquid with a gravy packet to make a rich, savory au jus.
- Put the au jus back in the dish or slow cooker. Cook for another 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or 1-1.5 hours in the slow cooker.
This last step lets the flavors mix and the sauce thicken. It makes the perfect sauce for your tender ribs. Serve the ribs with the rich au jus and enjoy the delicious taste!
The secret to tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs is cooking them low and slow. Whether in the oven or a slow cooker, this guide helps you make restaurant-quality barbecue ribs or slow-cooked ribs at home.
Making the Rich Onion Au Jus
Take your beef rib recipes to the next level with a delicious onion au jus. This sauce is a perfect match for the grilled ribs. It captures the essence of the cooking liquids, adding a savory onion flavor.
Gravy Base Components
Start with the juices from the beef ribs as your au jus base. These juices are full of the deep flavors from slow cooking. Add a packet of McCormick Onion Gravy mix to enhance the onion taste.
Thickening and Seasoning Methods
To get a smooth texture, simmer the au jus and mix in a cornstarch slurry. This makes the sauce thick and velvety. Adjust the seasoning with herbs, spices, or a bit of sweetness to get the flavor just right.
Final Flavor Adjustments
Let the onion au jus sit for 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend and intensify. When you serve it over the beef rib recipes and grilled ribs, you’ll enjoy a rich, savory experience.
Conclusion
This country style beef ribs recipe is a perfect mix of tender and flavorful meat. It’s sure to make your taste buds happy. You can choose to slow cook or oven roast them. The secret is letting the meat soak up the spices, making it incredibly delicious.
Country style beef ribs are not just tasty; they’re also good for you. They’re packed with protein, iron, and B vitamins. Serve them with creamy mashed potatoes or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Try this easy recipe and let the smell of slow-cooked or oven-roasted country style beef ribs fill your home. Enjoy the beef rib recipes that are both flavorful and tender. Your guests will definitely want more.