Where to Buy the Best Beef Short Ribs

Beef short ribs are a delicious and versatile cut of beef that can be used in a variety of dishes. When cooked properly, short ribs become fall-off-the-bone tender and pack a serious punch of flavor. But finding high quality short ribs can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying beef short ribs, including:

• What to Look for When Buying Short Ribs
• Where to Buy Short Ribs Online
• Finding Short Ribs at Your Local Butcher or Market
• How to Choose Between Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Short Ribs

What to Look for When Buying Short Ribs

When shopping for short ribs, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a few key characteristics:

• Marbling – This refers to the thin white lines of fat running through the meat. Moderate marbling is ideal as it keeps the ribs juicy and flavorful when cooked. Too little marbling can cause the ribs to be dry.

• Meat to Bone Ratio – The ribs should have a generous portion of meat attached to the bone. Avoid ribs with very little meat.

• Thickness – Look for ribs that are at least 1 inch thick. Thinner ribs can dry out easily.

• Color – The meat should be bright red with no grayish hue. Dark or dull colored short ribs are a sign of age.

• Freshness – The short ribs should look moist and glossy, not dried out. The sell-by date should be recent.

When found, high quality short ribs will lead to incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone results with big beef flavor.

Where to Buy Short Ribs Online

Shopping online is a convenient way to have high quality short ribs delivered right to your door. Here are some of the best online sources:

Tillman’s Meats

Tillman’s Meats is a family-run butcher shop out of Jacksonville, Florida. They offer both bone-in and boneless short ribs that are wet aged for a minimum of 21 days.

Their short ribs are nicely marbled and hand trimmed by expert butchers. The ribs are cut from the 3-bone plate, which contain the thickest, meatiest short ribs.

Tillman’s flash freezes each order of short ribs to lock in freshness and flavor. They ship the ribs packed with dry ice in insulated boxes.

Crowd Cow

Crowd Cow sources beef, pork, chicken and seafood from independent ranchers and fishermen around the country. Their short ribs selection includes both grass-fed and grain-finished options.

You can choose from boneless short rib cuts like kalbi and flanken style, as well as bone-in plates. Crowd Cow short ribs are professionally packaged and shipped frozen with dry ice.

Rastelli’s

This online butcher shop sells USDA prime beef short ribs at very reasonable prices. Their short ribs are wet aged for a minimum of 21 days to enhance tenderness and flavor.

Rastelli’s has both bone-in and boneless short rib options available. The ribs can be purchased in various portion sizes from just 1 pound up to bulk packs.

Omaha Steaks

Omaha Steaks has a longstanding reputation for providing high quality meats by mail. Their short ribs are cut from Midwestern grain-fed cattle.

They offer bone-in beef short ribs in portions between 1 to 4 pounds. The short ribs are vacuum sealed and flash frozen to maintain freshness. Omaha Steaks provides fast and reliable shipping across the U.S.

Snake River Farms

Snake River Farms produces premium American Wagyu beef, known for its extensive marbling. Their short ribs are beautifully marbled and sold bone-in.

The ribs are cut thick at around 2.5 pounds each slab. Snake River Farms ships their short ribs overnight on dry ice to ensure they arrive fresh.

Finding Short Ribs at Local Butchers or Markets

Beyond online retailers, your local butcher shop or meat market can also be great sources to find quality short ribs. Here are some tips when buying short ribs locally:

• Ask your butcher for a recommendation – Let them know you’re looking for the best short ribs they have in stock. A good butcher will lead you to the right cut.

• Inspect the selection yourself – Look for the signs of quality like marbling, meatiness, thickness, and color.

• Buy in small quantities – Start with just 1 or 2 pounds to test out a new butcher before purchasing larger quantities.

• Know where the short ribs are sourced – Your local butcher should be able to share details if the beef is local, domestic, grass-fed, etc.

Shopping with a local butcher gives you the advantage of inspecting the short ribs in person rather than relying on photos online. You can confirm freshness and quality firsthand.

How to Choose Between Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Short Ribs

When it comes to short ribs, you’ll commonly see options labeled “grain-fed” or “grass-fed”. But what’s the difference and which is better?

Grass-Fed Short Ribs

• Come from cattle raised on open pastures and fed grass rather than grain

• Have a leaner fat marbling compared to grain-fed

• Offer a more robust and often gamier beef flavor

• Can have a slightly tougher texture if not cooked properly

Grain-Fed Short Ribs

• Come from cattle raised in feedlots and fed a grain based diet

• Contain more internal fat marbling which keeps the ribs juicy

• Have a milder, more familiar beef taste

• Are renowned for their tenderness and rich mouthfeel

The choice between grass-fed and grain-fed comes down to personal preference. Grass-fed provides a natural, pastoral flavor while grain-fed delivers decadent richness. Try both and see which you enjoy more!

How to Cook Beef Short Ribs for Maximum Tenderness

Cooking short ribs properly is vital to achieving fall-off-the-bone tenderness and succulence. Here are some tips:

• Slow cook – Braising or slow roasting between 250°F and 325°F for 2-3 hours is ideal. This gently breaks down the collagen.

• Use moist heat – Braise the ribs in broth or wine, or roast with a water bath to keep them from drying out.

• Brown before braising – Searing the ribs first adds a nice caramelized crust.

• Let ribs rest before serving – Allowing the ribs to rest in their juices after cooking for 10-15 minutes leads to a super tender texture.

Incredibly Delicious Short Rib Recipes to Try

Once you’ve got your hands on high quality short ribs, here are some mouthwatering recipe ideas:

• Balsamic Braised Short Ribs – The ribs are seared then braised with balsamic vinegar and tomatoes for a rich, tangy flavor.

• Cola Braised Short Ribs – Coca-cola is the surprise ingredient when braising the ribs in this fun, sweet and sticky recipe.

• Red Wine Braised Short Ribs – A French classic of short ribs braised for hours in a red wine sauce until fork tender.

• Korean Kalbi Style Short Ribs – Marinated ribs are grilled or broiled with a sweet and savory Korean-style barbecue glaze.

• Cabernet Braised Short Ribs – For an elegant presentation, the bone-in short ribs are plated over creamy parmesan polenta and grilled asparagus.

• Coffee Rubbed Short Ribs – Coffee adds wonderful complexity when used to season short ribs before a long, slow oven roast.

With high quality short ribs from a trusted source and the right cooking method, you’ll be enjoying these beefy, finger-licking ribs in no time! What are you waiting for? Go get your short ribs today!