These grilled BBQ short ribs are covered in a smokey dry rub with an optional BBQ sauce slathered on at the end. They’re cooked low and slow on the grill for a tender meaty summer dinner and served with a fresh grilled pineapple salsa.
I haven’t wanted to do crap since getting back from Alaska last Monday. Well at least in the work sense. If it’s play outside, workout, go to the lake or sit by a pool, I’m all in.
This happens to me every time I go on vacation and while Alaska wasn’t necessarily vacation it’s certainly hard to classify it as “work” at the same time.
The fact that I pretty much couldn’t use my computer at all for 6 days while out there didn’t help either because once I disconnect (although I go down kicking and screaming), I find it incredibly hard to reconnect to work and/or the internet world.
Sometimes I wish it was still like 1998 and dial up AOL email was still a novelty.
The one (and just about only) thing I was actually able to accomplish last week were these grilled BBQ short ribs.
Besides this though, I pretty much played hooky from work and haven’t really found much motivation since to get my act together either.
Summer is just too damn short to spend time inside working! Can I get an amen?
I never really thought to 1. even cook short ribs in the summer since they’re very much a winter meal in my head and 2. grill them. It’s not a typical cooking method for most varieties of ribs but it can work out well with some patience.
But, I was in the store stocking up on grass-fed local beef from the one place that carries it around here, saw these short ribs and decided to give them a go on the grill.
Just like cooking short ribs in a slow cooker or pot, the best method is low and slow. So while these aren’t a quick grilled summer meal, they don’t make your house any hotter by using the oven, they’re still super tender with that classic short rib fall-of-the-bone thing and full of summer BBQ flavor.
Need the perfect quick and easy side dish to go along with them? Try my healthier spin on the classic creamy cucumber salad. You can throw it together while these are on the grill and it’s the perfect tangy, refreshing balance to these grilled short ribs.
Pair them with some grilled potato wedges and it’s a complete summer meal.
I’m teaming up today with my blogging lady friends to bring you another round of healthy paleo recipes. This month’s theme is grilling and whether you’re looking for dinner, salad or dessert, we’ve got you covered with this roundup! Check them all out below and click the links or pictures to get each recipe.
Brittany’s Lemon Pepper Shrimp Skewers
Zesty, light and quick to cook, these shrimp skewers are a grilling favorite. Pair them with grilled veggies or serve over a fresh salad for a crowd-pleasing summertime meal.
Davida’s Grilled Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Who says you can’t grill salad too?! Try this delicious and summery recipe for Grilled Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette! Topped with peaches, shallots and toasted hazelnuts, you will never go back to regular old kale.
Lexi’s Honey Grilled Bananas with Mocha Chocolate Sauce
The perfect healthier Summer dessert! If you’ve never grilled bananas, you need to start with these! Lightly sweetened and topped with a flavorful chocolate sauce for the perfect grilled treat.
Lee’s Prosciutto Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
Have your meat and veggies too! Make this delicious prosciutto asparagus stuffed chicken breast on the grill for a yummy, summer
Taylor’s Grilled Chocolate Cherry Almond Crisp
This isn’t your traditional cherry crisp! It’s easy, paleo-friendly and made on the grill! A fun, smokey-sweet dessert for summer that’s made a little healthier!
And of course my grilled BBQ short ribs. Leave off the optional BBQ sauce for a paleo meal or make your own without the sugar you’ll find in pretty much any store bought variety.
I personally love the combo of the dry rub and wet sauce for that finger lickin’ rib goodness so a little cane sugar doesn’t bother me, but you do you.
Don’t skip the grilled pineapple salsa either, so good!
Grilled BBQ Short Ribs
Ingredients
For the short ribs
- 6 bone-in short ribs, about 4-5 pounds
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Morton® Coarse Kosher Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- BBQ sauce, *optional
For the pineapple salsa
- 3 large fresh pineapple rings
- 1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- splash rice vinegar
Instructions
For the short ribs
- Trim as much excess fat from the short ribs as possible and set aside.
- Combine the coconut sugar and spices in small bowl.
- Rub each short rib with the spice mixture until all sides are coated. Place in a dish, cover and let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat an outdoor grill to about 400 degrees leaving one burner off so that there is a place to cook the ribs over indirect heat.
- Place 2 ribs and 2 ice cubes on either side of the ribs on enough aluminum foil to fold into packets. Seal the packets on the sides and top leaving a little bit of air in the top to give the moisture a place to go while cooking. Repeat with remaining ribs.
- Place the foil packets on the grill over indirect heat and cook for about 2 hours or until tender.
- Carefully open the top of each packet and if using the BBQ sauce, brush on top of each short rib. Close the grill and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Remove from grill and let sit for a few minutes before serving.
For the pineapple salsa
- Place the pineapple rings on the grill while the ribs cook. Cook for about 5 minutes per side until grill marks appear and pineapple starts to caramelize.
- Remove from grill and chop.
- Add the pineapple to a bowl with the remaining ingredients and toss together.
- Serve with the cooked short ribs.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Packed full of flavour and super tender!
These short ribs are delicious all by themselves but that pineapple salsa takes them to the next level.
We buy a quarter cow every year and I wasn’t sure what to do with the short ribs. These turned out great! Loved the grilled pineapple.
These ribs hit the spot! The pineapple salsa was perfect for them!
The pineapple salsa takes this over the top to super delicious!