Whether Safeway has beef short ribs available is an important question for many shoppers. Beef short ribs are a popular cut of beef valued for their rich, beefy flavor. Knowing if you can find them at your local Safeway can help you plan meals and shop efficiently.
The availability of beef short ribs at Safeway
The availability of specific cuts of meat can vary by location and season. In general, most Safeway stores do carry beef short ribs. As a major grocery retailer with butcher shops in many locations, Safeway offers a wide selection of fresh meats.
Beef short ribs are considered a primal cut from the plate section of the cow. This area contains a lot of connective tissue, which results in meat that is flavorful and tender when cooked low and slow. Short ribs can be cut into either English style, with the bone sliced across, or Flanken style, with the bone sliced lengthwise.
Both styles of short ribs are typically available at Safeway. The meat department stocks beef short ribs routinely alongside other beef cuts like roasts, steaks, and ground beef. Regular inventory ensures short ribs are usually in stock and available for purchase.
Finding beef short ribs at your local Safeway
To find out if your neighborhood Safeway has short ribs on hand, there are a few ways to check:
- Call the meat department directly and ask if short ribs are available.
- Speak with a butcher at the meat counter in person.
- Check the store’s mobile app or online grocery ordering platform for availability.
- Search the weekly digital circular or ad preview for short ribs being featured.
- Visit the store and look in the fresh meat case yourself.
Around holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day when grilling is popular, short ribs may sell out faster. Calling or checking online inventory can give you an idea of current availability when shopping for a specific cut of meat.
Pricing of beef short ribs at Safeway
Beef short rib prices can range based on the cut, whether bone-in or boneless, as well as other factors like sales, promotions, and location. On average at Safeway, beef short rib prices typically run:
- English-style bone-in short ribs: $5.99 to $7.99 per pound
- Flanken-style bone-in short ribs: $6.99 to $8.99 per pound
- Boneless beef short ribs: $7.99 to $9.99 per pound
Safeway runs weekly ads and often features meat in the sales circular. Watch for short ribs to go on sale near major holidays when customers buy large cuts of meat for grilling and smoking. Bone-in short ribs tend to cost slightly less per pound than the boneless option.
Safeway beef short rib selection and quality
At the full-service meat departments in Safeway stores, shoppers can expect a good range of short rib options. You’ll find:
- Choice grade short ribs from USDA certified Black Angus beef
- Short ribs sold individually or in family packs
- Short rib orders cut fresh to your specifications
- Large 3-5 pound racks for smoking or braising
- Smaller 1-2 pound packages for quick weeknight meals
Safeway butchers can slice English or Flanken style ribs to your preferred thickness. The short ribs are cleanly cut with good marbling and fat coverage. Safeway’s Black Angus beef meets high standards for quality, consistency, and flavor.
How to cook Safeway beef short ribs
Beef short ribs require slow, moist cooking methods to become tender. Popular preparation options include:
- Braising in a tomato, wine, or broth based liquid
- Slow roasting or cooking low and slow in a Dutch oven
- Grilling using indirect heat alongside hardwood smoke
- Instant Pot pressure cooking
Leave short ribs intact or cut into individual ribs for braises, stews, soups, and pasta sauces. Season simply with salt, pepper, and garlic or spice them boldly with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne.
Keep cooking liquid or sauce on hand to keep short ribs moist when reheating leftovers. Cooked short ribs can be gently warmed in the sauce or cooking juices to remain tender.
Sample recipes for Safeway short ribs
Here are a few recipe ideas for preparing beef short ribs purchased at Safeway:
Braised Short Ribs
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season short ribs with salt and pepper.
- Sear ribs in a pan until browned on all sides.
- Transfer to slow cooker and add remaining ingredients.
- Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours.
- Discard bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving.
BBQ Beef Short Ribs
Ingredients:
- 5 lbs beef short ribs
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare grill for low, indirect heat.
- Season short ribs with salt, pepper, and chili powder.
- Grill for 4-5 hours with lid closed until tender.
- During last 30 minutes, baste ribs with sauce.
- Mix barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and onions.
- Apply liberally to ribs to caramelize.
For tender, falling-off-the-bone short ribs, Safeway has you covered. Follow these tips to find, buy, and cook delicious beef short ribs for your next meal!
Conclusion
In summary, most Safeway locations do carry beef short ribs regularly in stock. Both English cut and Flanken style bone-in short ribs are typically available, along with boneless ribs. Prices average $5.99 to $9.99 per pound, with occasional sales bringing the cost down further. Safeway short ribs come from choice Black Angus beef for good quality. Look for short ribs in the fresh meat case or speak with the butcher to order them custom cut. Slow braising, roasting, grilling and instant pot cooking are all excellent preparation methods. With the right cooking time, Safeway’s short ribs become fork tender and full of flavor. Keep this guide in mind on your next visit to Safeway when shopping for short ribs to make a mouthwatering meal.