Beef ribs are a quintessential BBQ food. Their rich, meaty flavor makes them a perfect choice for smoking, grilling, braising, or any other cooking method. With so many options, it can be tricky to know where to find high-quality beef ribs at an affordable price. This article will overview the best places to buy beef ribs, both online and in grocery stores.
Online Retailers Offer Quality and Convenience
Ordering beef ribs online is a convenient way to get premium products delivered straight to your door. Here are some of the top online stores for buying beef ribs:
Crowd Cow
Crowd Cow is an online butcher that sells high-end beef, pork chicken lamb, and seafood. Their beef rib selection includes short ribs and back ribs from 100% grass-fed and grass-finished cattle. The beef is free of antibiotics and added hormones. Crowd Cow offers free shipping on orders over $99.
Pros
- High-quality beef from sustainable family farms
- Good selection of rib cuts and quantities
- Free shipping over $99
Snake River Farms
Snake River Farms sells premium American Wagyu beef, known for its extensive marbling, tenderness, and flavor. Their beef rib offerings include bone-in and boneless short ribs and whole beef plate ribs. Shipping is free on orders over $199.
Pros
- Top-tier, well-marbled Wagyu beef ribs
- Multiple high-end cuts to choose from
- Free shipping over $199
Porter Road
Porter Road is a Nashville-based online butcher shop offering beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and specialty items. Their beef rib selection includes Wagyu short ribs, back ribs, and plate ribs sourced from Kentucky and Tennessee. Orders over $100 ship free.
Pros:
- Range of Wagyu and Angus beef rib cuts
- Ribs sourced from local family farms
- Free shipping over $100
Grocery Stores Offer Convenience and Low Prices
Grocery stores provide the convenience of picking up beef ribs during routine shopping. Here are some of the top grocery chains for finding beef ribs:
Costco
Costco offers prime-graded whole beef short ribs at warehouse prices. A 5-pound package of bone-in beef back ribs from USDA Choice beef is also available. Costco accepts returns on most products.
Pros:
- Low prices on prime and choice rib cuts
- Option to buy in bulk
- Return policy on most items
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club also sells USDA Choice beef back ribs in large quantities at member-only prices. Short ribs and short rib slabs are also typically available. Sam’s Club has a 100% satisfaction guarantee on meat.
Pros:
- Bulk pricing on beef ribs
- Satisfaction guarantee on meats
- Membership provides other perks
Aldi
Aldi has bone-in beef back ribs and short ribs available seasonally at discount prices. Their ribs come from grass-fed, grain-finished cattle with no hormones or antibiotics.
Pros:
- Low prices on beef ribs
- Ribs from grass-fed, grain-finished cattle
- Savings on other grocery items
Safeway
Safeway is a full-service grocery store that carries beef back ribs and short ribs. You can request custom rib cuts at the meat counter. Specials change weekly.
Pros:
- Custom cuts available
- Weekly meat specials to catch deals
- One-stop grocery shopping
Kroger
This mega grocery chain sells beef back ribs and short ribs, often at sale prices. Kroger stocks ribs from standard and premium beef providers. Pickup and delivery is available.
Pros:
- Low regular and sale prices
- Name-brand and store-brand options
- Pickup and delivery services
Butcher Shops Provide Premium Quality
For the highest quality ribs, visit a local butcher shop. Butchers typically source from small farms and can customize cuts. Expect to pay premium prices for top-tier products.
Local Butcher Shops
Independent butcher shops offer completely customized cuts, quality sourcing, and expert advice. Check reviews and talk to the butcher to find a shop with excellent beef rib selection and service.
Pros:
- Custom cuts and sizing
- Locally-sourced beef options
- Expert guidance on picking ribs
- Relationships with farms
Key Factors in Picking the Best Beef Ribs
No matter where you buy beef ribs, keep these factors in mind to help find the best quality:
-
Cut – Back ribs and short ribs are the most popular. Plate ribs are another large cut good for sharing.
-
Grading – Prime has the most fat marbling while Choice is still well-marbled. Select has less fat.
-
Appearance – Look for good marbling and meat distributed over the bones. Avoid ribs with lots of bare bone.
-
Price – Higher quality commands higher prices. Look for deals on the grade you want.
-
Reputation – Buy from reputable grocers and butchers known for freshness and service.
Preparing and Cooking Your Beef Ribs
Once you’ve selected some mouthwatering beef ribs, proper preparation and cooking will yield amazing results:
-
Season – Rub the ribs with a flavorful spice mix. Let them rest for 30 mins to an hour before cooking.
-
Smoke – For maximum flavor, smoke the seasoned ribs at 225-250°F for 2-6 hours depending on thickness. Spritz with apple juice or broth during cooking.
-
Braise – Browning the ribs before braising at 300°F for 2-3 hours delivers fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
-
Bake – Bake ribs in the oven at 325°F for 2-3 hours until fork tender. Baste with sauce during cooking.
-
Grill – Grill ribs over medium indirect heat for 1-2 hours until charred outside and juicy inside. Brush with sauce at the end.
-
Rest – Let ribs rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting so juices can redistribute.
-
Sauce – Coat ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce just before serving.
With so many ways to cook them, beef ribs are one of the most versatile and mouthwatering barbecue foods. Use this guide to find the highest-quality beef ribs for your cooking needs.
Types of Wagyu Beef Rib We Offer
We provide a variety of bone-in wagyu beef rib cuts to suit different cooking styles and preferences:
Wagyu Short Ribs
Wagyu beef short ribs are cut from the brisket, chuck, plate, or rib areas and are perfect for braising or slow cooking. They have a rich, marbled texture that results in exceptionally tender meat.
Wagyu Beef Back Ribs
Cut from the upper part of the rib cage, these ribs are meaty and great for grilling or roasting. They offer incredible marbling and a hearty beef flavor thats sure to satisfy.
Wagyu Short Ribs Flanken-Cut
This cut is taken across the bone from the chuck end of the short ribs. This creates a thin slice of meat with only a few small bones on one side. The flanken-cut is ideal for quick cooking methods like grilling or broiling and is known for its exceptional taste.
Filter and sort Sort by
- In stock 2
- Out of stock 4
- Grill 1
- Oven 4
- Slow Cooker 3
- Smoker 3
- Sous Vide 1
- Ribs & Brisket 4
Types of Beef Ribs Explained
FAQ
Why are beef ribs hard to find?
What are beef ribs called?
-
These are thick, meaty ribs cut from the lower part of the rib cage, behind the brisket. They are popular for slow cooking methods like braising or smoking.
-
These ribs come from the front of the rib cage, near the shoulder, and are also known as dino ribs.
-
These ribs come from the ribeye section and are more tender than short or chuck ribs but have less meat. They are sometimes called “Dinosaur Ribs” or “costata” (Italian).
What is the best beef rib to buy?
The best cuts of beef ribs comes from the lower, ventral, section, from the 2nd through 10th rib, roughly the same cut as the St. Louis cut of pork ribs. The muscle is the serratus ventralis and it has a lot of connective tissue as well as marbling which means big flavor.
Does Walmart have beef ribs?
Fresh Beef Bone-in Back Ribs, 2.6 – 5.2 lbs – Walmart.com.