Beef short ribs are considered a delicacy by many meat lovers Their rich, beefy flavor and tender yet textured meat when braised make them a standout choice for special occasion meals But with short ribs being a pricier cut, a common question is just how much are beef short ribs going for these days?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the current typical pricing for short ribs at grocery stores and butchers. We’ll also look at what impacts costs from quality grades to organic and grass-fed options. Read on for insights into getting the best deals on these coveted ribs.
Typical Price Range at Retailers
Across most US supermarkets and butcher shops today, you can expect to pay between $5 to $12 per pound for high-quality beef short ribs. Actual retail pricing is influenced by multiple factors covered next.
To give a better sense of real-world rib prices, here are some current examples from major grocery chains:
- Safeway – $8.99/lb for Choice bone-in short ribs
- Kroger – $5.99/lb for boneless beef short ribs
- Wegmans – $11.99/lb for Certified Angus Beef short ribs
- Whole Foods – $15.99/lb for grass-fed short ribs
While short ribs demand a premium over other beef cuts, there are ways to get them for under $10/lb as we’ll explore ahead.
Grades Impact Costs Significantly
One of the biggest pricing factors for beef short ribs is the USDA quality grade:
Prime – The top grade, Prime ribs have generous marbling and lush texture. They run $10-12+/lb or more. Only 2% of beef earns Prime status.
Choice – The typical grade at grocery stores, Choice ribs have good fat. They cost $6-10/lb on average. Choice works well for braising.
Select – With less marbling and looser texture, Select ribs run just $4-8/lb usually. The lower price comes with some trade-off in flavor and tenderness.
The better the grade, the higher price per pound you can expect. Prime and high Choice deliver the most succulent, flavorful rib eating experience.
Grass-Fed and Organic Cost More
Consumer demand for premium beef has led to more organic and grass-fed options. These specialty rib choices mean paying a surcharge:
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Organic short ribs run $8-14/lb, around $2-4 more per pound than conventional.
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100% grass-fed short ribs average $9-16+/lb at the highest end for superior taste and nutrition.
For those who prefer how grass-fed beef is raised and find the bolder flavor appealing, the splurge can be worthwhile.
Butcher Shops Charge a Premium
You’ll generally pay $2 or more extra per pound for short ribs at local butcher shops compared to the supermarket. Specialty butchers aim for premium quality, service and custom cuts.
Bone-In vs. Boneless Cut Pricing
Bone-in short ribs will cost about $1-2 more per pound than boneless ribs. The bone adds flavor during braising but generates more waste. Boneless ribs are easier to portion out.
Buying Direct From Farms Saves
Sourcing beef short ribs straight from local ranches and farms means peak freshness and quality. Grass-fed short ribs can even cost as little as $6/lb when buying a whole or half cow.
Seasonal Price Changes
Like many beef cuts, short rib prices tend to be lowest during colder months from late fall to winter when consumer demand declines. Expect to pay 10-15% more per pound during peak grilling season between May and August when short ribs are in high demand.
Where You Shop Matters
Where you live can impact short rib costs greatly. Prices are often cheapest year-round at grocery and butcher shops in major beef producing states like Texas, Kansas and the Midwest. Big coastal cities will be at the pricier end for short ribs.
Strategies for Finding the Best Deals
Here are some top ways to save on beef short ribs:
- Opt for the chuck short rib over pricier back ribs
- Buy boneless style instead of bone-in to trim costs
- Check for manager markdowns on short ribs nearing expiration dates
- Purchase family packs of 3-5 pounds for bulk savings
- Look for special club pricing at Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale
- Buy extra when short ribs go ‘on sale‘ and freeze the surplus
- Ask the butcher counter for any discounted overstock
With the right shopping strategies, you can often shave $2-4 off the per pound price on beef short ribs.
Ways to Stretch Your Short Rib Budget
Even when paying $9-12 per pound for top graded short ribs, there are ways to stretch your budget:
- Incorporate them into stews, chili, pasta sauce – a little goes a long way
- Pair with lower cost sides like beans, potatoes, rice or veggies
- Watch portion sizes – 3-4oz per person keeps meal costs affordable
- Plan a couple budget-friendly dinners earlier in the week to offset the splurge
Is the Cost of Short Ribs Worth It?
At their typical price point, beef short ribs cost noticeably more than roasts or ground beef per pound. For the prime rib experience with melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor, many beef aficionados feel short ribs are absolutely worth the higher cost. They see it as an occasional splurge for a superior eating experience.
The collagen content in short ribs rewards the patient cook with incredible, fall-off-the-bone texture. When buying short ribs, it pays to prioritize quality over cost. Top graded Prime or Choice ribs deliver the best results. For those who appreciate better raised beef, specialty organic and grass-fed ribs merit their premium as well.
While short ribs are pricier, there are ways to buy them cost effectively. With smart shopping and meal planning, you can savor succulent braised short ribs while keeping your food budget on track.
Current Beef Short Rib Prices at Top Retailers
To give more real-world perspective across different retailers nationwide, here are current price examples:
Walmart
- Boneless Beef Short Ribs – $7.28/lb
Safeway
- Bone-In Beef Short Ribs – $8.99/lb
Publix
- Beef Short Rib Premium Cut – $11.99/lb
Wegmans
- Organic Boneless Short Ribs – $13.99/lb
Whole Foods
- 100% Grass Fed Short Ribs – $15.99/lb
ButcherBox
- All-Natural Boneless Short Ribs – $10.50/lb
Omaha Steaks
- Filet Mignon & Boneless Short Ribs Combo – $89.99
Snake River Farms
- American Wagyu Boneless Short Ribs – $34/lb
The range demonstrates both the variance across standard grocery chains as well as the premium pricing of specialty butcher services and top graded American Wagyu ribs.
Short Rib Cost Per Serving
Figuring cost per serving is another helpful way to budget for short ribs. Here are some average per serving estimates:
- 3-4 oz boneless short rib – $2.50 to $3 per serving
- 5-6 oz bone-in short rib – $3 to $4 per serving
- 1 lb serves 3-4 people
These assume Prime or Choice graded ribs costing around $10/lb. Serving short ribs as the star of a recipe with lower cost sides and vegetables keeps meal budgets under control.
Key Takeaways on Short Rib Pricing
- Expect to pay $5-12/lb for quality short ribs at most retailers
- Prime grade short ribs cost $10-12+/lb for the best texture and flavor
- Grass-fed and organic ribs run $2-5/lb over conventional pricing
- Buying direct from local ranches can save money
- Look for bulk deals, club packs and markdowns to get the best price
- Careful portioning and sides help make expensive short ribs affordable
Knowing the typical per pound cost range, pricing factors, and ways to find deals makes it easier to budget for these special occasion ribs. With smart planning, you can enjoy incredibly tender, beefy short ribs without breaking the bank.
What to serve with BBQ Beef Ribs
As promised, I’m going to offer up a couple of different options for how to serve beef ribs – rustic, finger lickin’ barbecue style OR elegant fine dining style (and yep, beef ribs certainly appear on the menu of fine dining restaurants, prized for the juicy qualities and because it CAN be plated up elegantly):
BBQ Beef Ribs Rub
Here’s what you need for the Rub. There’s quite a few substitutions possible so don’t fret if you don’t have every item:
Beef ribs do come in a variety of cuts, but I’m using the most common cut (here in Australia) which is also called beef short ribs. It’s a chunky rectangle block, cut with individual bones and are very meaty.
They shrink about 30% so try to get big meaty ones. But if you can only get small ones ~250g/8oz, that’s still ok!
Beef rib RACK: sometimes you see beef ribs in rack form. They typically have less meat on them. They will work great in this recipe too – see recipe card for directions. However, make sure you do NOT use the rib racks that come vac packed – these have been brined and will be too salty (read ingredients, if it has anything in it other than beef, then it’s brined ie salt injected).
Beef alternative cuts: beef cheeks and chuck (cut into baseball size chunks) will both work really great here. For brisket, use the Barbecue Beef Brisket recipe.
Other meats: For pork ribs, use this recipe and for chicken, use this recipe.
- Brown sugar – sub white
- Garlic powder – 1 tsp minced garlic (using press) per 1 tsp powder
- Onion powder – garlic powder
- Mustard powder – dijon or standard mustard
If subbing fresh garlic or mustard spread, then rub those wet ingredients on first before pressing into dry rub.
Types of Beef Ribs Explained
FAQ
Is beef short rib a cheap cut?
Short ribs are like a steak, but the price point is a lot cheaper. They’re easy to put together — when you cook short ribs, it’s really hard to screw them up.Feb 9, 2017
Are beef short ribs worth it?
If you’ve never had beef short ribs before, you’re missing out on one of life’s great pleasures, and I’m not exaggerating this time. Beef short ribs are like the most flavorful, delectable, tender, soft pot roast you can possibly imagine—but the meat is on a handy stick for your eating convenience.
How many pounds of short ribs for 2 people?
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NYT Cookinghttps://cooking.nytimes.comVermouth-Braised Short Ribs Recipe – NYT CookingBoneless short ribs are easier to serve to a crowd and can be substituted pound for pound in your grandmother’s time-honored brisket recipe. … You’ll need abo…
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Reddithttps://www.reddit.comRaw weight of Beef Ribs per person? : r/smoking – RedditMay 29, 2021 — Holy moly… I just did some the other day and had 4 or 5… I guess I didn’t eat much all day while I was smoking either. I usually just eat dinner…
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California Pruneshttps://californiaprunes.orgStephanie Cmar’s Braised Short Ribs Recipe – California PrunesHow many short ribs per person. Depending on your appetite, plan on between a half pound to a pound person (225-450 g).
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The Spruce Eatshttps://www.thespruceeats.comMake-Ahead Beef Short Ribs Recipe – The Spruce EatsJul 5, 2022 — It is better to figure by weight—a little more than 1 pound of bone-in short ribs should suffice per person. Make sure you only remove the fat and no…
Why are short ribs so expensive?
They come from the short plate part of the cow, which is what gives them their name. You can likely only eat one short rib, maybe two at most, on your own, and they come from cows rather than pigs. With so much meat comes a heftier price tag; you can expect to pay substantially more for beef short ribs than pork ribs.
How much does a beef short rib weigh?
View in your space On Sale Beef Short Rib Premium Beef short Rib. Available either as 4 half single ribs (approx 1.1KG) Or as a whole plate – 5 ribs joint (approx 2.7KG) Weight
How much do short ribs cost per pound?
In terms of price per-pound, those cut from the lower plate primal are usually the cheapest. Followed by medium-priced from the brisket and the premium ribs from the chuck. At the time of writing, the cost per-pound varies from $14.50 to $19 per lb. across online outlets. Portion Size: How Many Short Ribs Per Person?
Are beef short ribs tender?
The beef short ribs were tender and succulent, providing a satisfying texture and depth of flavor. While not “melt-in-your-mouth” tender, the meat still had a pleasant tenderness that showcased the expertise of the chefs. Accompanying the soup was a generous serving of steamed white rice and a variety of traditional Korean side dishes.