Beer-Braised BBQ Elk Short Ribs

Fall off the bone beer-braised BBQ elk short ribs! Slow-braised in a stout beer, then slathered with your favorite BBQ sauce. Kick back on your patio with a platter of these delicious ribs!

This recipe was developed in partnership with The Honest Bison. All opinions are our own.

Elk short ribs are a delicious cut of meat that are sometimes overlooked because they can be tougher than their thicker counterparts. However, the key is to braise them low and slow until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender!

This recipe works for either elk or venison short ribs, and are perfect for summer grilling season, or a hearty winter BBQ dinner.

Ingredients Needed:

• 2.5-3 lbs. The Honest Bison Elk Short Ribs
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 1 yellow onion – diced
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 3 cups stout beer
• 2 cups BBQ sauce

If you don’t have any elk short ribs on hand, you can order directly from The Honest Bison! They have some of the highest-quality, humanely-raised wild game meats available to order online and have shipped directly to your house!

How to make beer-braised BBQ elk short ribs

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
2. Brush both sides of each rib with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. 
3. Heat a dutch oven over medium-high heat, then sear both sides of the ribs to a deep brown. You may need to work in batches until they’re all browned. 
4. Add the diced onion and mixed garlic to the dutch oven with the seared ribs and stir just a bit to let the onions and garlic sauté until fragrant and softened. 
5. Add the stout beer, cover, and place into the oven on a low rack and let cook for 2.5-3 hours or until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone. 
6. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes. 
7. Remove the ribs from the dutch oven and place onto a platter or baking sheet. Sauce the ribs with BBQ sauce and serve immediately.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

What is the difference between short ribs and back ribs?

Back ribs come from the rib section and are longer. Short ribs come from the plate cut and have a shorter portion of bone.

Do I have to braise short ribs?

Technically, no. However, short ribs are best when braised because they are a tougher cut of meat. The braising process allows the meat to tenderize properly.

Recipe Variations

• You can swap in any type of beer you prefer.
• Use whatever BBQ sauce you prefer.
• Throw them on the grill after saucing for an extra smoky BBQ flavor.

Recommended kitchen resources for this recipe

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Enjoy these additional elk meat recipes

• Elk BBQ Brisket Sliders – slow-cooked elk brisket smothered in BBQ sauce
• Coffee-Rubbed Elk Tri-Tip – slow-smoked elk tri-tip that’s full of flavor
• Elk Carne Asada – made with elk flank steak and perfect for elk steak tacos

Try these venison recipes!

• Venison Patty Melt – a cheesy and delicious ground venison meat sandwich
• Venison Lasagna Stuffed Shells – a classic ground venison meat comfort food
• Venison Stuffed Jalapeño Peppers – the perfect venison meat appetizer

Beer-Braised BBQ Elk Short Ribs Recipe