Short ribs are delicious and flavorful, yet many of us are looking for other options! Worry not because your search for short-rib substitutes ends here.
Some of the best short ribs substitutes are beef plate short ribs, beef chuck roast, beef flanken ribs, and beef back ribs. You can also try lamb legs, shanks, pork, veal, or lamb ribs.
If you are looking for vegan substitutes for short ribs, then try seitan, firm tofu, and even tempeh.
Short ribs are cut from two different parts – chuck and rib. Therefore, it has the flavor of both. They are easy to cook and have a great flavor to offer. You can cook, broil, or grill the short ribs. Short ribs are juicy and have a strong beefy flavor.
If looking for any short ribs substitute, you must ensure they resemble almost the same flavors and texture.
So, without any further stretch, let us see what are the best short ribs substitutes and how to use them in the recipe. Stick with it till the end, as I have some of the best vegan alternatives for all the vegan eaters.
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14 Best Short Ribs Substitutes
Here is a list of short ribs substitutes that you should have a look at in case you don’t have the original.
1. Beef Plate Short Ribs
Beef plate short ribs are from almost the same cut as short ribs but with more fat content. If you find short ribs too dry, try beef plate short ribs, as they are much more juicy. One can easily get confused between short ribs and beef plate short ribs as they almost look similar.
This is one of the best short ribs substitutes with a hearty flavor. You can cook beef plate short ribs similar to short ribs. You can also rub the seasoning and cook them on low flame.
The only thing you need to keep in mind is the quantity of additional fat. You can also use the same spices and cooking techniques, like short ribs.
You can add the same amount of beef plate short ribs instead of short ribs in the recipe and check it often while cooking to achieve the desired flavor. As the fat content increases, you may need extra time to cook.
2. Beef Chuck Roast
We love short ribs, especially because of their marbling feature, and if you want the same in the substitutes, then beef chuck roast is your answer.
Chuck roast is cut from the shoulder and neck region with a great amount of fat which, after cooking, becomes delicious meat.
If you are cooking short ribs but don’t have any left, simply add beef chuck roast, and you won’t find much difference in the dish. If you are looking for a tender part as a short rib substitute with a strong beefy flavor, then you have made the right choice.
Also, beef chuck roast is cheaper than short ribs, so it does not burn your pocket much. Cook beef chuck roast for a dinner party, and I can bet that everybody will love you as the host.
The best way to cook beef chuck roast is to grill them after rubbing the spices as you would with short ribs. Simply use the same quantity of beef chuck roast as short ribs, and you are good to go.
3. Beef Flanken Ribs
If you are looking for short ribs substituted with less fat and leaner meat, try beef flanken ribs. Flanken ribs are beef cut crosswise from the bone from the chuck to the short ribs, giving you leaner and less fatty meat.
Flanken ribs of beef are easier to cook than short ribs, and you can substitute them in almost every short rib recipe. As flanken ribs are cut across the bone, you may get irregular shapes that can be challenging while cooking.
One thing you need to be sure of is to cook the beef flanken ribs mindfully. If the heat is not even, the outer part will cook, but the inside will be undone. They are thinly sliced and very tender, and to maintain the tenderness, consider braising the beef.
You can even grill the beef flanken ribs just like you would grill short ribs. You can substitute the same amount of flanken ribs instead of short ribs and enjoy the dish. Flanken ribs are best for Korean-style BBQ.
4. Beef Back Ribs
When the back of the animal is cut from the rib section, located between the chuck (shoulder) and the loin (back) area, you get beef back ribs. You can easily separate the individual back ribs of the beef and enjoy the way you want.
There are different names for beef back ribs, like beef riblets or rib bones. Many call it dinosaur ribs, and they are a great alternative you can try instead of short ribs. Beef back ribs are widely popular for their taste and meat quality.
Beef back ribs have a beefy and meaty flavor and some savory notes. You can also enjoy the great umami flavor.
5. Beef Shank
Another flavorful beef cut is the beef shank, and if you have tried this before, you would definitely agree to use it as a short rib substitute. A beef shank is a cut from the leg. The leg part is taken from above the knee area to the shoulder or hip of the animal.
The beef shank may feel a little dry, but it will be a treat for your mouth if cooked properly. Like short ribs, beef shank also has a good amount of meat to enjoy.
Many times you can get boneless parts as well. You can enjoy beef shank by slow cooking it (just keep some patience) or even braising the meat. The price is also lesser than the short ribs, so yes – pocket friendly.
If substituting beef shank for short ribs, go for a 1:1 ratio in the recipe, and I am sure you will be impressed by the final outcome of the dish.
6. Lamb Legs And Shanks
If you are tired of beef, why not some lamb legs or shanks instead? You may wonder how one can substitute short ribs with lamb legs or shanks when they are from very different animals.
True but lamb provides you with the same quality and flavor as beef and is an excellent substitute for each other.
The only downside of using lamb is that they take a great time to cook, but once well done, you are definitely going to lick your fingertips. Lamb’s legs are delicious and filled with nutrients. Regarding the lamb shanks, this part can easily replace short ribs in seconds.
Lamb legs and shanks are very meaty, similar to short ribs. You can go for the same quantity of lamb as short ribs and substitute it in the recipe as it is. I recommend broiling the lamb and cooking it for optimal taste and flavor.
7. Pork
If you are a fan of pork and want to add to the short ribs recipe, go ahead and do the remix. You can get different cuts of pork that can resemble short ribs in terms of taste and texture.
Pork is easily available in the market and takes less time to cook when compared with beef or short ribs.
You may not find the exact flavor of short ribs while substituting with pork, but you won’t be disappointed. The best you can try with pork is pork top sirloin steak which is the best cut of pork to try instead of short ribs.
Go for the same quantity of pork as you will use short ribs in the recipe, and enjoy something different yet delicious.
8. Veal
Veal is another delicious and soft meat that can be a great substitute for short ribs. If replacing it in place of short ribs, go for the shoulder cut and enjoy the nutritious meal.
The soft and delicate veal may not give the same temptation as short ribs, but never hesitate to try it as you will explore something really delicious. I have tried making veal differently, and they go well with a savory sauce.
If substituting veal for short ribs, go for four parts instead of one part of short ribs. The leg portions of the veal can make a great short ribs replacement. Veal has a lower amount of fats and lean meat compared to short ribs.
9. Beef Brisket
Beef brisket is cut from the breast region of the animal, which can be a little tough, but once cooked, it can be really tender and delicious. Like short ribs, beef brisket also has a marbling feature with the right cut.
This will make sure that your dish is juicy and tender. There are so many individual recipes of beef brisket that you can enjoy, or else if you are out of short ribs, try this and see the delicious result for yourself.
One downfall of beef brisket is that it may take a great deal of time to be cooked, but the good part is that you will definitely enjoy the meat.
Go for the same ratio of beef brisket as short ribs in your recipe, and enjoy the meaty and juicy dish.
10. Lamb Ribs
Looking for something more flavorful than short ribs? Lamb’s ribs are your answer. Go for the well-marbled lamb ribs with appropriate fat to make your dish tasty and juicy.
The lamb ribs are filled with flavors as well as nutrients. You won’t get enough delicious ribs once you try the dish. You can add the same seasoning, like short ribs, and slow cook to enhance the flavor.
11. Flank Steak
Flank steak is cut from an animal’s abdominal muscle and is considered to be a very flavorful part of the beef. It is cheap and can always be used as a short ribs substitute.
You can cook or broil after coating it with spices and herbs and enjoy it, similar to short ribs. Flank steak is versatile, and you can experiment a lot with this part of the beef.
I would suggest simply replacing it in the short ribs recipe and enjoying the inexpensive yet flavorful substitute of short ribs.
12. Seitan
Now if you are someone who does not eat animal meat but still craves the flavor of short ribs, go for seitan. Seitan is made with gluten and water and tastes like duck meat. It has a savory and meaty taste that can satisfy the meat cravings.
All you need to do is get some seitan and season with spices. Cook it exactly like you would cook short ribs. This is a one-stop solution for all vegetarians. See, no one can stop you from enjoying some meaty flavor without harming the animals.
You can go for the same amount of seitan as you would require short ribs in the recipe.
13. Tempeh
As we are now talking about some vegan short ribs substitutes, I have another great option you can try. Tempeh is made from cooked and fermented soybean. It has a cakey texture and is a great replacement for short ribs.
Tempeh has a nutty flavor and tastes similar to mushrooms. You can substitute tempeh for short ribs in the same recipe. Go for the same quantity of tempeh as short ribs.
14. Firm Tofu
The last short rib substitute that is vegan and healthy is firm tofu. We all have tried firm tofu, and I know it is not a perfect substitute, but it has the quality.
You can grill the tofu after marinating it with similar spices used in short ribs recipes and enjoy vegan substitutes. Tofu has a nutty flavor, and you will enjoy it if you cook it correctly.
Simply follow the same recipe as short ribs while cooking tofu and enjoy something different yet flavorful.
Short Recap Of The Best Substitutes For Short Rib
Below is a short recap of the best substitute options for short ribs
Best Short Rib Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor –
- Beef Plate Short Ribs
- Beef Chuck Roast
- Lamb Legs
Best Short Rib Substitutes That Are Easily Available –
- Pork
- Lamb legs and shanks
- Beef Brisket
- Beef back ribs
Short Rib Substitutes That Are Vegan –
- Firm Tofu
- Seitan
- Tempeh
How To Use Short Rib Substitutes In A Recipe
12 Best Short Rib Substitutes
Ingredients
- Beef Plate Short Ribs
- Beef Chuck Roast
- Beef Flanken Ribs
- Beef Back Ribs
- Beef Shank
- Lamb Legs And Shanks
- Pork
- Veal
- Beef Brisket
- Lamb Ribs
- Seitan
- Galbi
- Tempeh
- Flank Steak
- Firm Tofu
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
As we end the conversation, I am sure you have enjoyed every bit of the information. I like eating short ribs often, but sometimes my heart wants some distinction. I directly go for my favorite substitute – beef flanken ribs, which are juicy and leaner.
Let me know what your go-to short ribs substitute is. If you have not tried any one of the listed substitutes, this is your sign. Even if you are not a meat fan, you still have plenty of options like tofu and tempeh that make a great short ribs substitute.
You can try and experiment with many recipes, but I love grilling the short ribs or their substitutes, as they have great smoky and umami flavors.
I hope this conversation was tender and helpful. I will be back soon with similar delicious conversations. Until then, grill some beef ribs and enjoy them with your favorite drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best short rib substitute?
Undoubtedly, beef plate short ribs are the best short ribs substitute you can try! They have the same taste and flavor, and one may easily get confused between the two as they have almost the same cut.
What are short ribs?
Short ribs are cut from two different parts – chuck and rib. Therefore, it has the flavor of both. They have a great beefy taste and rich marbling, which gets tender after cooking.
Can you use ribs as short ribs substitute?
Yes, you can easily substitute ribs for short ribs as they have similar tastes and flavors. You only need to be sure of adding more fats to ribs if using them instead of short ribs in any dish.
What are the best short ribs substitutes?
Some of the best short ribs substitutes are beef plate short ribs, beef chuck roast, beef flanken ribs, and beef back ribs. You can also try lamb legs, shanks, pork, veal, or lamb ribs. If you are looking for vegan substitutes for short ribs, then try seitan, firm tofu, and even tempeh.
What do short ribs taste like?
Short ribs are juicy and have a strong beefy flavor. As they are cut from the chuck and rib part of the animal, it has the flavor of both portions. It has rich marbling features as well as great beefy notes when cooked. They get tender and chewy after cooking and have a lot of meat content compared to other parts of the ribs and beef.
