Where to Buy Beef Short Ribs Near Me: A Complete Guide

Beef short ribs are a delicious and popular cut of meat that are great for slow cooking. But where can you find high-quality short ribs near you? This complete guide will go over everything you need to know about buying beef short ribs locally so you can enjoy their signature rich tender flavor in your favorite recipes.

What Are Beef Short Ribs?

Beef short ribs come from the rib section and plate primal of the cow They are cut either parallel or perpendicular to the bone, resulting in English-cut or flanken-style short ribs. The meat is well-marbled with fat and loaded with collagen, making it ideal for braising and barbecuing until fall-off-the-bone tender

Short ribs can be bone-in or boneless. Bone-in ribs are more flavorful, while boneless are easier to portion and eat. You’ll also see terms like “back ribs” and “plate ribs” which refer to different parts of the rib section the short ribs are cut from.

Benefits of Purchasing Short Ribs Locally

There are several advantages to sourcing your short ribs from local butchers and meat markets:

• Fresher Meat: Local beef is slaughtered closer to where it’s sold, resulting in fresher, better-tasting meat. Short ribs from the supermarket are often wet-aged for longer.

• Better Marbling: Grass-fed cows and heritage breeds from small local farms tend to have better marbling than conventional beef. More fat equals more flavor and tenderness.

• Supports Local Economy: Purchasing local short ribs helps support small businesses and farmers in your community.

• Humanely & Sustainably Raised: Many local butchers work with ethical family farms that humanely raise cattle on pasture.

• More Affordable: Buying direct from the source cuts out middleman markups, making local beef cheaper.

• Custom Cutting: Local butchers can prepare short ribs to your exact specifications.

Where to Find Beef Short Ribs Near You

Local Butchers & Meat Markets

Traditional butcher shops are the best place to find high-quality, custom-cut short ribs sourced from regional farms. A good butcher will let you see the entire rib section and hand-select the exact ribs you want. Ask about the source and aging methods.

Many meat markets also carry pre-cut short ribs. Look for ones that work with local suppliers and avoid enhanced or pre-marinated ribs. Ethnic markets like halal butchers also carry high-quality short ribs.

Farmer’s Markets

Visit farmer’s markets in your area to buy beef direct from the rancher. This ensures the beef is local, fresh, and humanely raised. Short ribs sold at markets are sometimes custom-cut for free. Ask butchers about beef availability if you don’t see short ribs.

CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture)

Joining a CSA that offers beef shares lets you buy a variety of cuts like short ribs locally. You get a box of seasonal beef cuts weekly or monthly from farms in your region. It’s an affordable way to access local, grass-fed short ribs.

Online Butcher Shops

Many butcher shops now offer online ordering and delivery options. Search for online butchers in your state that work with local farms to buy quality short ribs shipped fresh. Look for vacuum-sealed, individually frozen ribs.

Local Restaurants & Delis

Ask your favorite restaurants and delis that serve short ribs where they source them. Many purchase from local distributors, farms, and butchers. See if they’ll sell you short ribs or connect you with their supplier.

Direct from Farms

Search for beef farms in your area and inquire if they’ll sell individual cuts like short ribs. Make sure to ask when their next slaughter date is and if the beef is dry-aged. This is the best way to get the freshest short ribs.

What to Look for When Buying Short Ribs

• Marbling: Look for ample white fat marbling throughout the meat for flavor and tenderness. The ribs shouldn’t look too lean.

• Fresh, Bright Red Color: Raw short ribs should look moist and bright red, not brown or dull. Avoid ribs with dry, sticky surfaces.

• Flexible Bones: If buying bone-in ribs, make sure the bones bend a bit and don’t feel brittle. This indicates fresher ribs.

• Meat-to-Bone Ratio: Choose meaty ribs with less bone. Thicker, wider ribs have more usable meat.

• Uniform Shape: Pick ribs that are the same thickness to ensure even cooking. Inspect ends for tapering.

• Aged 21+ Days: Dry-aged short ribs have better flavor and tenderness. Get the age when possible.

• Reputable Seller: Always source short ribs from butchers and shops with good reputations and local suppliers.

How Much to Buy

A good rule of thumb when buying beef short ribs for 4 people is:

• Bone-in Ribs: Around 5 pounds
• Boneless Ribs: Around 2.5-3 pounds

Plan for around 1 pound of bone-in or 1/2 pound of boneless short ribs per person. Appetite, side dishes, and leftovers can adjust amounts up or down.

For sauces and braised dishes, buy extra ribs since meat can shrink. If in doubt, better to have leftovers than run short on this delicious cut!

How to Store Short Ribs

• Place fresh short ribs on a rimmed baking sheet so air can circulate.

• Refrigerate ribs immediately, within 30 minutes of purchasing.

• Avoid stacking ribs to prevent crushing and promote air flow.

• Meat should feel cool, not warm, when storing.

• Consume fresh ribs within 4 days, bone-in ribs up to 7 days.

• Rinse ribs before cooking to remove bone dust and residue. Pat very dry.

• For longer storage, individually wrap ribs in freezer paper and freeze. They’ll keep 6-12 months.

• Thaw frozen ribs for 1-2 days in the fridge before cooking. Do not thaw at room temperature.

Following proper storage keeps short ribs fresh and safe to eat. Now go enjoy those succulent, meaty ribs in your favorite local dishes!

Top Places to Buy Beef Short Ribs in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has an abundance of excellent local butchers and specialty markets to find high-quality beef short ribs. Here are some top spots in LA to buy tender, well-marbled short ribs for your next meal:

Belcampo Meat Co.

With locations in Santa Monica, Downtown LA, and Mar Vista, Belcampo sells certified organic, grass-fed beef from their own farm. Their short ribs are sustainably raised and ethically harvested.

Huntington Meats

This local butcher shop and meat market sources from small Californian farms to find flavorful, all-natural short ribs with great marbling.

McCall’s Meat & Fish Co.

McCall’s is a top choice for Prime-graded short ribs with nice meat-to-bone ratio and ample fat. Their butchers hand cut ribs to order.

Marconda’s Meats

Specializing in high-end meat, Marconda’s offers tender Wagyu short ribs as well as USDA Prime Black Angus short ribs.

The Cannery Meat Market

This artisanal butcher carries juicy short ribs from family farms in CA. Quality beef is their specialty.

Clark Street Butcher

With an in-house abattoir, Clark Street Butcher dry ages their beef for 21+ days. Their Prime short ribs are very popular.

Lindy & Grundy

This ethical butcher sources humanely raised short ribs locally and dry ages their beef. Organic options available.

Alexander’s Steakhouse

Though a restaurant, you can reserve Prime dry-aged short ribs to cook at home from their upscale meat program.

J&G Schnitzel

For high-end imported short ribs, J&G Schnitzel carries wagyu-style beef from Germany and Austria.

Taylor’s Market

With various locations across LA, Taylor’s Market is a neighborhood chain carrying quality short ribs from local beef suppliers.

Wherever you choose to buy beef short ribs in Los Angeles, going local is sure to get you the tastiest, highest-quality meat. Ask your butcher lots of questions and request thickness and bone preferences for the perfect short ribs to enjoy.