Beef

J.R.s Roasty Rib Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce

by:
January  6, 2011
4.3
3 Ratings
  • Serves 4 - 6
Author Notes

As short ribs have become de rigueur on restaurant menus around the world, many of us have delighted in those saucy, unctuous, melt-in-your mouth braised creations. But as I was rhapsodizing about short ribs one day, my business partner and good friend (initials "J.R.") confessed that she actually finds many short rib dishes too full of soft, mushy fat and overly rich. I think she might have even uttered the phrase "They kinda gross me out."

Knowing J.R has a penchant for Latin food, this recipe leverages the inherent fattiness of short ribs, but produces a roasty, meaty, slightly crispy result. The piquant sauce counterbalances the richness. —kaykay

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Roasty Ribs
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 4 pounds short ribs, bone-in
  • juice of 2 limes
  • 1 cup Mexican beer, such as Corona
  • Chimichurri Sauce and Sauteed Peppers
  • 1 cup finely chopped italian parsley
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped fine
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • juice of 2 limes
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 cup fresh pico de gallo (purchased) or tomato in small dice
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1-2 jalepenos, minced (optional)
  • 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
  • 2 yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
  • 1 splash of olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • handmade style corn tortillas
  • queso fresco
Directions
  1. Combine the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, pepper and salt in a small bowl. Rub into the short ribs and let sit in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour.
  2. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Place the ribs bone side down, being sure not to crowd them, and roast for 20 minutes.
  3. Remove ribs from oven and pour lime juice and beer over them. Lower the oven temperature to 275 degrees and continue baking for 2.5 hours.
  4. Meanwhile, make the Chimichurri sauce. In a small bowl, combine the parsley, cilantro, red wine vinegar, lime juice, honey, pico de gallo, garlic, olive oil, and jalepenos, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Shortly before the ribs are done, saute the peppers with a splash of olive oil until soft, charred, and slightly caramelized. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. When the ribs are done cooking, remove the bones and chop the meat. Assemble the tacos with meat, peppers, a drizzle of chimichurri sauce, and top with queso fresco.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Patti
    Patti
  • monkeymom
    monkeymom
  • kaykay
    kaykay
  • hardlikearmour
    hardlikearmour
kaykay

Recipe by: kaykay

I love cooking because you don't have to follow rules. I have dessert after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'd choose cioppino over fettucine alfredo any day. I love that my 6 and 9 year old daughters are epicurean adventurers and will plow through a huge bowl of mussels, sweat their way through Indian curry, or savor raw sushi. I can't pick my favorite meal until the end. Then, I will reflect back and choose one that truly stood out after after a lifetime of culinary indulgence.

9 Reviews

Patti January 26, 2013
Made this and very yummy-especially with the sauce-great combination!
 
monkeymom January 8, 2011
roasty ribs, I love it! Looks so good.
 
kaykay January 7, 2011
Thank you...Your recipe sounds really delicious and unique! And that cake on your profile image is amazing.
 
hardlikearmour January 7, 2011
it's a princess birthday cake i made for a friend's kid's birthday. i was pleased with how it turned out.
 
kaykay January 7, 2011
As a cake decorator, you'd probably appreciate the humor behind www.cakewrecks.com. Have you see the site? It's hilarious! Keep in mind, all the cakes featured on the site are by "professionals". I have seen many face cakes turn out all wrong...yours is actually very sophisticated.
 
hardlikearmour January 7, 2011
my favorite cake on the cakewrecks site is the plaid one. it was horrific.
 
kaykay January 7, 2011
ADDENDUM-- Okay, I thought it was west coast time for the deadline, so I was lucky this even got in as I just happened to type it in at this time, but thought I still had 3 more hours! I am missing an ingredient though...If you want heat in the chimichurri sauce, add minced jalepeno peppers to taste.
 
hardlikearmour January 7, 2011
phew! glad you made it!
 
hardlikearmour January 7, 2011
Sounds awesome. Just squeaked in under the wire, too!