BBQ season calls for a hearty batch of ribs, and this Texas-style short rib recipe doesn’t disappoint. With fantastic barbecue marinades, lovely sauce and slow grilling, it’s a dish that should satisfy any meat lover’s cravings.
Ahh…ribs. Many BBQ masters often turn to elite cuts like brisket to impress, but to me there’s nothing quite as popular as ribs. If you like grilled meat, then you like ribs.
This recipe combines the classic cut of meat with one of the best grilling styles on the planet. By coating the ribs with hot spices before slowly cooking them over indirect heat, the ribs are rich in flavor and ready to fall off the bone.
What is Texas-style barbecue?
Texas Barbecue is actually divided into four sub-styles, each originating from East, South, Central, and West Texas. The differences between them are pretty clear: East and Central Texans focus on cooking, while West Texas is all about exposing the meat to direct heat and processing mesquite wood for something short and sharp.
In the case of these ribs, our focus on roasting and indirect heat makes them that much more authentic to Central Texas. In my experience, Texan style IS commonly used as a generic term for central Texas… but I know I say this at the risk of angering my friends east, west, and south!
Many novice grillers may think of grilling meat over high heat, but some of the best grilling is done at more moderate temperatures for several hours. These ribs are the perfect example of that.
If you want to inject a little more flavor you can apply the dressing the night before and leave it in the fridge or even apply a good rib marinade.
There are seasonings in this barbecue recipe, but if you want a prepared version, check out my guide to the best seasonings for store-bought ribs .
Can I grill ribs on a gas grill?
I wrote this to make it on a charcoal grill (my favorite method). However, it can be done on a gas grill, although it’s kind of a scam. Just follow the same steps I provided in my recipe to prepare the ribs. When you set up your grill, you can use your gas grill’s burner controls to create a 2-zone cooking area.
To learn how to do this, check out my guide to smoking ribs on a gas grill.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
