Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook beef flanken ribs in the oven?
Look no further!
In this article, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to cook these mouth-watering ribs to perfection. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, our tips and tricks will help you create a delicious meal that your family and friends will love.
So, grab your apron and let’s get started!
How To Cook Beef Flanken Ribs In The Oven?
First, preheat your oven to 275°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare the ribs by cutting them in half and seasoning them with salt and pepper.
Next, place the ribs in a baking dish, bone side down. Make sure to snuggle the ribs close together in the dish.
Now it’s time to make the homemade BBQ sauce. In a small bowl, combine ketchup, dark brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and spices. Whisk everything together until well combined.
Slather about 2/3 of the BBQ sauce all over the meat, making sure to cover all surfaces. Reserve the remaining sauce for later use.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is visibly pulling away from the bone and fork-tender.
Once done, remove the foil and pour off some of the cooking liquid. Brush the remaining BBQ sauce over the meat and return it to the oven for an additional 30 minutes, or until browned.
Finally, transfer the meat to a platter and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Choosing The Right Beef Flanken Ribs
When it comes to choosing the right beef flanken ribs, it’s important to understand what they are and where they come from. Flanken ribs are also known as chuck short ribs and are cut from the first to the fifth rib, located under the chuck of the steer.
When selecting flanken ribs, look for ones that are nice and meaty, with a smaller bone than plate short ribs. They should have a block of meat at one end of the bone. It’s best to avoid flanken ribs that are cut into small, individual bone portions, as they may not have enough meat on them.
Flanken ribs are great for grilling and are very popular in Korean cooking. They also do well when marinated, braised, or even stir-fried when the meat is cut off the bone. While you can smoke flanken ribs, keep in mind that you will not need to smoke them as long as you would short plate ribs as there is less meat to cook.
Preparing The Ribs For Cooking
Before you start cooking your beef flanken ribs, it’s important to prepare them properly to ensure the best possible outcome. Here are some steps to follow:
1. Choose the right ribs: When buying your ribs, look for ones that have an even layer of meat across the ribs. Avoid slabs with exposed ribs, known as “shiners,” which means they were cut too close to the bone and the bone may fall out during the cooking process. Look for the meat to have a light pink pale color, with even marbling across the ribs.
2. Trim the ribs: Once you have your ribs, it’s time to trim them. Use a sharp knife to trim off any dangling meat, excess fat, loose rib bones on the ends, and any silver skin you might see. Turn the ribs over to remove the membrane covering the rib bones. It’s important to remove this membrane so your rub can get into the meat. Start by inserting the dull butter knife on top of a rib bone on the small end of the rack; push the knife upwards to loosen the membrane. With a paper towel grab the membrane and slowly pull it toward the opposite end of the rack. With any luck, it should come off in one piece. If the membrane tears, repeat until all of it is off.
3. Apply your rub: With the ribs already meat side down, it’s time to apply your favorite rub. Apply a generous amount of rub across the bones and all edges of the rack. Turn the rack of ribs over and repeat on this side, making sure all surfaces are covered.
4. Bake in a baking dish: Preheat your oven to 275°F and place your seasoned and trimmed ribs in a baking dish, bone side down. Make sure to snuggle the ribs close together in the dish.
5. Make homemade BBQ sauce: In a small bowl, combine ketchup, dark brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and spices. Whisk everything together until well combined.
6. Slather with BBQ sauce: Slather about 2/3 of the BBQ sauce all over the meat, making sure to cover all surfaces. Reserve the remaining sauce for later use.
7. Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the meat is visibly pulling away from the bone and fork-tender.
8. Brush with remaining BBQ sauce: Once done, remove the foil and pour off some of the cooking liquid. Brush the remaining BBQ sauce over the meat and return it to the oven for an additional 30 minutes or until browned.
9. Rest before serving: Finally, transfer the meat to a platter and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
By following these steps, you can prepare your beef flanken ribs for cooking in a way that maximizes flavor and tenderness.
Seasoning The Ribs For Maximum Flavor
To take your beef flanken ribs to the next level, seasoning is key. Just like with pork ribs, properly seasoning beef ribs can make a huge difference in their flavor.
Start by creating a dry rub with brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, creole seasoning, black pepper, paprika, salt (preferably Himalayan sea salt), cumin, and chili powder. The brown sugar serves as the base for the rub and adds a caramelized sweetness to the meat as it cooks. Paprika gives it an earthy kick while the other spices add a perfect balance of saltiness and spiciness.
It’s important not to apply the rub too early as this can cause the meat to develop an off-flavor. Instead, apply the rub right before the meat goes into the oven. Make sure to coat all surfaces of the meat with the rub for maximum flavor.
If you prefer a saucier rib, you can also make a homemade BBQ sauce using ketchup, dark brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and spices. Brush the sauce over the meat before baking and reserve some for later use.
By following these seasoning tips, your beef flanken ribs will be transformed into a flavorful and unforgettable dish that will have everyone talking.
Setting Up Your Oven For Perfectly Cooked Ribs
To ensure that your beef flanken ribs are perfectly cooked in the oven, it’s important to set up your oven correctly. Here are some tips to follow:
1. Preheat your oven to the correct temperature: For beef flanken ribs, the recommended temperature is 275°F. Preheating your oven ensures that the temperature is consistent throughout the cooking process.
2. Use a baking dish: A baking dish is essential for cooking ribs in the oven. Make sure to choose a dish that is large enough to hold all of your ribs comfortably and snuggly.
3. Cover the dish with foil: Covering the baking dish with foil helps to trap in moisture and flavor, ensuring that your ribs stay tender and juicy.
4. Check the internal temperature: To ensure that your beef flanken ribs are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The minimum safe temperature for beef is 145°F, but for tender and flavorful ribs, aim for a temperature of around 190°F.
5. Baste with sauce: Basting your ribs with sauce during the cooking process helps to infuse them with flavor and keeps them moist. Reserve some of your homemade BBQ sauce for basting during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
By following these tips, you can set up your oven for perfectly cooked beef flanken ribs that are tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor.
Cooking And Basting The Ribs
After the first hour of baking, remove the ribs from the oven and use tongs to flip them over. Then, coat both sides of the ribs with the remaining dry rub mixture that was set aside earlier.
Place the ribs back in the oven for another hour, or until they are nicely browned. Once the second hour has passed, take the ribs out of the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450°F.
While the oven is heating up, mix together the two barbecue sauces and 1 tbsp of dry mix in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Generously coat each side of the ribs with the barbecue sauce mixture using a basting brush.
Once the oven has reached 450°F, place the ribs back into the oven for 2-3 minutes, just until they are crisp on the outside and meltingly tender on the inside. It’s important to watch closely to make sure they don’t burn.
If you prefer to finish the ribs on a grill instead of in the oven, remove them from the pan and place them on a preheated grill with medium-high heat. Baste and turn them a few times for about 10 minutes until they are charred to your liking.
Whether you choose to finish them in the oven or on a grill, be sure to brush additional BBQ sauce over the ribs before serving if desired. These mouth-watering beef flanken ribs are sure to be a hit at any gathering or family dinner.
Checking For Doneness And Serving Suggestions
To check if the beef flanken ribs are done, use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F before removing from the oven. If the ribs are still not done after 3 hours, return them to the oven and continue to cook until they reach the desired temperature. Remember to let them rest for 10 minutes before serving so that their juices can be redistributed throughout.
When serving, you can pair beef flanken ribs with your favorite sides such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. You can also serve them with a side of coleslaw or a fresh salad to balance out the richness of the meat.
Another serving suggestion is to shred the meat and use it as a filling for tacos or sandwiches. You can also chop up the meat and use it as a topping for pizza or baked potatoes.