Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos

These Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos combine tender, slow-smoked beef ribs with fresh Chimichurri Sauce, grilled sweet corn, queso fresco, and your favorite hot sauce. With bold smoky flavor and fork-tender meat, these tacos are the perfect way to elevate taco night.

When it comes to BBQ, few cuts deliver the rich flavor and tender texture of beef short ribs. Because of their incredible marbling and deep beef flavor, short ribs are a perfect choice for slow smoking.

This Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos recipe starts with bone-in beef ribs seasoned and smoked low and slow. The smoker builds incredible bark and smoky flavor while the meat breaks down into tender, juicy bites ready for warm tortillas.

First, the beef short ribs are seasoned with a simple blend of coarse black pepper and kosher salt before being smoked low and slow. During the cooking process, the ribs absorb a delicious smoky flavor while the connective tissue breaks down, creating tender perfection. As a result, every bite delivers the kind of BBQ flavor that makes these tacos unforgettable.

What Are Beef Short Ribs?

Beef short ribs come from the lower section of the cow and are known for their rich flavor, generous marbling, and thick layers of meat around the bone. Unlike other beef cuts, short ribs contain plenty of connective tissue, which makes them ideal for slow cooking methods like smoking.

When cooked properly, the fat slowly renders and the meat becomes incredibly tender. Once the beef short ribs reach the right internal temperature, the result is juicy, flavorful beef that can be pulled or chopped for tacos, sandwiches, and other BBQ recipes.

The Difference Between Beef Short Ribs and Flanken Beef Ribs

Although beef short ribs and flanken beef ribs come from the same general area, they are cut differently. Traditional beef short ribs are cut parallel to the bone, creating thick pieces of meat with one large section of bone. Because of this cut, they are excellent for smoking and slow cooking.

On the other hand, flanken beef ribs feature a cross-cut style that creates thin strips of meat with multiple small pieces of bone throughout. Because of their thinner cut, cooks often use flanken ribs for Korean-style BBQ, where they quickly absorb marinades and develop incredible flavor over high heat.

For this recipe, beef short ribs are the better choice because the long smoking process creates tender, smoky meat that works perfectly inside tacos.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Smoked beef short ribs create incredible BBQ flavor with tender meat.
• The combination of fresh chimichurri, grilled corn, queso fresco, and hot sauce creates a perfect balance of flavors.
• These tacos are easy to customize with your favorite taco toppings.
• They are a great recipe for family dinners, gatherings, or your next taco night.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos

Smoked Beef Short Ribs

• 2-3 pounds Beef Short Ribs
• 3 tbsp Coarse Black Pepper
• 3 tbsp Coarse Kosher Salt
• ½ cup Beef Stock

Taco Toppings

• Flour Tortillas (Fajita Size)
• 2 ears Fresh Sweet Corn
• 3 tbsp Queso Fresco, crumbled
• ¼ cup Red Onion, diced
• 5 tbsp Your Favorite Hot Sauce

Chimichurri Sauce

• 1 bunch Italian Parsley, finely chopped
• 1 bunch Cilantro, finely chopped
• 5 cloves Garlic, finely minced
• ½ cup Olive Oil
• ¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar
• Juice from 1 Lemon
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes

How to Make Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos

1. Prepare the Smoker and Season the Beef Short Ribs

Begin by preheating your smoker to 250°F. I use Cherrywood for a sweet smoky flavor profile.

Before seasoning, cut the beef short ribs into evenly sized chunks. By cutting the beef short ribs into smaller portions, you expose more surface area to the smoke. As a result, the ribs develop maximum bark and a deeper BBQ flavor throughout the meat.

First, prepare the beef short ribs by seasoning them with a 50-50 blend of coarse black pepper and coarse kosher salt. This simple seasoning blend creates a flavorful crust while allowing the natural beef flavor to shine.

2. Smoke the Beef Short Ribs

Once the smoker is preheated, place the beef short ribs on the smoker indirect of the heat. Additionally, using a wire rack makes transporting the ribs easier while keeping them steady during the cooking process.

Let the ribs smoke for approximately four hours until they reach an internal temperature of 200°F. During this time, spray the beef ribs with beef stock every hour to help keep them moist and flavorful.

3. Prepare the Chimichurri Sauce

Meanwhile, prepare the fresh chimichurri by hand chopping all of the fresh ingredients. Combine all of the chimichurri ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

Once finished, set aside until the beef short ribs are ready.

4. Grill the Corn and Prepare the Taco Ingredients

Grill the corn over direct heat until it has char on all sides.

Afterward, cut the corn from the cob and set it aside. Dice the red onion and prepare your favorite taco toppings.

5. Finish the Beef Short Ribs and Assemble the Tacos

Once the ribs are finished cooking, carefully remove the meat from the bone. Then, place the tender beef on a cutting board before chopping it into bite-size pieces.

Next, carefully chop the tender beef short ribs into bite-size pieces with a sharp knife. As a result, the smoked beef will have the perfect texture for filling your tacos.

Before assembling the tacos, grill the flour tortillas for one minute per side. This adds extra flavor while creating warm tortillas with a lightly crisp texture.

Finally, assemble the tacos with the smoked beef short ribs, grilled corn, red onion, fresh chimichurri, queso fresco, and a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce.

Expert Tips

• Allow the beef short ribs plenty of time to cook. Because slow smoking creates the best results, patience helps develop tender meat and maximum flavor.
• Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature. The ribs should reach around 200°F and become fork tender before serving.
• Prepare the chimichurri ahead of time so the fresh herbs have time to develop their flavors.
• Store leftover tacos ingredients in an airtight container with a tight fitting lid for the best freshness.

Variations For Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos

• Add pickled onions for extra acidity and flavor.
• Swap queso fresco for another favorite cheese.
• Add fresh cilantro, avocado, or additional hot sauce for more flavor.
• Serve the smoked beef short ribs over rice instead of tortillas for a different meal option.

Storage

Store leftover smoked beef short ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For longer storage, place the meat in a freezer-safe container and freeze until ready to use.

When reheating, add a small amount of beef broth to help keep the meat tender and juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions on Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos

What temperature should beef short ribs reach? Beef short ribs are typically finished around 200°F internal temperature. However, the most important test is that the meat feels fork tender.

Can I make these tacos ahead of time? Yes! The beef short ribs can be prepared ahead and reheated when ready to serve. Then, simply warm the tortillas and add your favorite toppings.

What are the best toppings for beef short rib tacos? Some favorite taco toppings include queso fresco, red onion, fresh cilantro, chimichurri, and hot sauce.

Final Thoughts about Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos

These Smoked Beef Short Rib Tacos bring together everything that makes BBQ special. From the smoky beef ribs to the fresh chimichurri and flavorful toppings, every ingredient adds something unique. Ultimately, this recipe is a great way to turn slow-smoked beef short ribs into a taco meal the whole family will enjoy.

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