The Ultimate Guide to Reheating Leftover Beef Short Ribs (So They Taste As Good As New!)

Mmm, beef short ribs Is there anything better than a rack of tender, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs straight off the grill or out of the oven? I don’t think so But while they’re amazing when freshly cooked, leftovers are a different story. Reheated beef short ribs can easily go from delicious to dry and overcooked if you don’t know what you’re doing.

That’s why I decided to put together this complete guide on how to reheat beef short ribs properly. I’ve tried all the methods – from microwave to oven baking – to figure out what works best. And let me tell you, when you reheat beef short ribs the right way, they come out just as mouthwateringly good as the first time you cooked them!

So grab those leftovers out of the fridge and let’s get started. Here’s everything you need to know about reheating beef short ribs to crispy, juicy perfection.

Gather Your Tools and Ingredients

Before we dive into the reheating process itself let’s talk about what you’ll need

Leftover cooked beef short ribs – The juicier and more well-sauced, the better! Dry leftover ribs won’t reheat as nicely.
Rimmed baking sheet or oven-safe dish – This will hold your ribs in the oven.
Aluminum foil – Essential for trapping in moisture.
Oven mitts – For safe handling of hot items.
Brush or tongs – Helpful for basting ribs with sauce.
Whatever sauce or seasoning you used originally – For brushing on before the final reheating stage.

Know Your Oven Temperature Sweet Spot

When it comes to the oven, temperature is key for reheated beef short ribs. Too high and they’ll dry out. Too low and they won’t heat all the way through. Through trial and error, I’ve found the perfect temp is 325°F. This gently reheats the ribs without overcooking.

Before you start, make sure to preheat your oven to 325°F. This ensures it’s hot and ready to go once your ribs are prepped.

Prep Your Leftover Ribs

Once your oven is preheated to 325°F, prep your ribs:

Take the ribs out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before reheating. This helps them cook more evenly.
If the ribs were frozen, make sure to thaw them completely in the fridge overnight before reheating. Starting with frozen ribs will lead to uneven cooking.
Remove any bones or caramelized areas that you don’t plan to reheat. You just want the meaty ribs.
Give them a brush or sprinkle with sauce, if desired. This adds flavor and moisture.

Now the ribs are ready for reheating!

Oven Reheating Method

When it comes to the best way to reheat beef short ribs, the oven is king. Oven reheating gently brings out all the juicy flavor and texture without overcooking the ribs. Here’s how to do it:

Place your seasoned leftover ribs on a rimmed baking sheet or oven safe dish. Space them out into a single layer.
Tent them completely in aluminum foil, wrapping it around the edges to seal. This traps in moisture so the ribs reheat without drying out.
Bake at 325°F for around 20-25 minutes. The time will vary based on how big your ribs are.
Carefully open the foil and check if the ribs are heated through. If not, re-cover and check again in 5 minute intervals until hot.
For added caramelization, open the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of cook time. Brush on any leftover sauce and let the ribs bake uncovered.

And that’s it – beautifully reheated beef short ribs with crispy edges and tender, juicy meat! I like to let them rest for 5 minutes before digging in.

Stovetop Skillet Method

If you don’t have much time, you can also reheat beef short ribs on the stovetop. While the oven is ideal, the skillet method still works nicely:

Heat a skillet or frying pan to medium. Add a small drizzle of oil.
Place your leftover seasoned ribs in the skillet, bone side down if applicable.
Pour any leftover sauce or juices over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid.
Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through. Add any extra sauce or seasoning.

The ribs won’t get quite as caramelized, but they’ll still have great flavor. Just keep an eye on the heat since stovetop reheating can go quickly.

Microwave? Don’t Do It!

Now that you know how to reheat ribs in the oven and skillet, let’s talk about what not to do. Never, ever microwave leftover beef short ribs! The microwave will make these juicy ribs taste dry and rubbery.

Microwaved ribs lose all their flavor and risk overcooking unevenly. Definitely stick to the oven or stovetop methods instead. Much better results!

Handy Serving Tips

Once your leftover beef short ribs are reheated, here are some serving tips:

As mentioned, let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting to let the juices redistribute.
Slice across the ribs before serving for a neater presentation.
Pair with classic sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn bread, or roasted veggies.
Drizzle extra reheated pan sauce over the plated ribs for added flavor.
For a barbecue meal, serve alongside baked beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread.

Reheating beef ribs

FAQ

How do you reheat ribs without drying them out?

Yes, the oven. Using a microwave is a quick trip to a tough, rubbery rib. Preheat the oven to 250°F, which is just hot enough to heat the ribs gently without drying them out. Use the center rack so that the ribs are evenly heated by the circulating heat.

How to reheat braised short ribs in sauce?

You can make these up to one day ahead, then reheat the ribs right in a Dutch oven over medium heat until they are warmed through. This method is perfect for those days when you want to enjoy your company without the fuss of last-minute cooking.

Do short ribs taste better the next day?

Braises tend to taste even better the the day after cooking, but there’s another reason to cook beef short ribs a day in advance: if you can let the cooking liquid cool overnight, the fat can be easily skimmed away. Beef ribs are a fatty cut, and too much fat in the final sauce makes the dish overrich.

What temperature do you reheat beef ribs in the oven?

Reheating in the oven To do so, place leftover ribs in a pan, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and slip it into a gentle 250-degree oven until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 130 to 140 degrees — about half an hour, give or take.

Can You reheat ribs in the oven?

First things first: Don’t go straight from the refrigerator to reheating. No matter how you choose to reheat them, cold ribs take longer to reheat, and longer exposure to heat can lead to dry, tough ribs. And nobody’s got time for dry, tough ribs. Yes, the oven. Using a microwave is a quick trip to a tough, rubbery rib.

How long does it take for displaced ribs to heal?

Displaced ribs can be caused by blunt trauma, accidents, falls, cancer, osteoporosis, or severe chest injury. The symptoms of displaced ribs are an abnormal movement of the chest during breathing, severe pain, and tenderness. It usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks for the healing of displaced rib fractures.

How to cook beef short ribs?

The best way to prevent beef short ribs from being tough is to cook them at a low temperature for a long time. This will cook down the tough connective tissue and leave you with moist and tender meat! Other spices you can add to flavor your ribs include paprika, thyme, rosemary, peppercorn, and lemon pepper seasoning.

How do you reheat ribs in a slow cooker?

1. Take the ribs out of the fridge 30 minutes before reheating to allow them to come to room temperature. 2. Set the slow cooker to medium-high. Pour a small amount of liquid, either water or meat juices into the bottom of the pot. 3. Coat the ribs with leftover sauce or your favorite BBQ sauce and place them in the slow cooker. 4.