BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my policy page!
BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
These BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos are the ultimate fusion of bold, smoky flavor and tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness—all tucked atop warm small-sized tortillas for the perfect handheld bite. Made with slow-braised beef or pork ribs coated in your favorite BBQ sauce, these tacos deliver melt-in-your-mouth texture with layers of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes. Topped with crunchy slaw, pickled onions, or fresh herbs or whatever, they’re the perfect mix of comfort food and street-style flair. Whether you're planning a backyard cookout, weeknight dinner, or game day feast, these tacos are guaranteed to impress. Slow cooker, meatless, + dairy-free option.
I couldn't be more excited to share this recipe with ya'll. It's such a flavorful dish and for those of you who follow Orchids + Sweet Tea regularly---you know that I'm all about flavor! While I've been spending the past few days revamping old recipes and re-shooting my food photography for those recipes, I'm happy to have gotten the chance to re-create these BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos into something more special and flavor-packed than they originally were.
Braised Ribs has been one of the few recipes that I thoroughly enjoy from start to finish. Growing up Down South (Florida to be exact), ribs were often one of the staple meats that had to exist on a plate of food, regardless of anything. Whether the ribs were being slow roasted on the grill or slow cooked in the oven----they were tender, juicy, perfectly charred on the outside, and fall-off-the-bone GOOD! Whew. I love to whip up Homemade Flour + Corn Tortillas from scratch to go with them. If you're a taco lover with a soft spot for Mexican flavors, you've got to check out these tasty options: Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos, Chipotle Sweet Potato Quinoa Tacos, Jerk Salmon Tacos, and Summer Vegan Tacos. And for a little extra excitement, don't miss the finger-licking-good Loaded Vegan Queso Skillet Nachos and the Hearty Vegan Taco Soup.
Overall, this oven-baked slowly-cooked BBQ ribs recipe is overall super easy to make, fall-off-the-bone tender with the perfect smoky-sweet flavor, made right in the oven (no grill needed!), completely family-approved, and the best addition to weeknight dinners, summer cookouts, game days, and holiday gatherings—plus it’s naturally dairy-free (depending on toppings) with a meatless and slow cooker option!
Jump to:
- Why You Will LOVE BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
- How To Make BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
- Ingredients
- Best Tortilla for BBQ Rib Street Tacos?
- How to Best Char or Warm Tortillas
- Tips for Baking Ribs in the Oven (So They're Tender Every Time!)
- BBQ Rib Taco Topping Ideas
- Meatless Options for These Tacos Besides Ribs
- Common Q + A's for BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
- More Flavorful Taco Recipes to Try Next!
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
Why You Will LOVE BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
- Bold flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Hello sweet + savory BBQ sauce + fresh toppings!
- Versatile snack, appetizer, or main option for Taco Tuesdays.
- Easy weeknight meal--Simple preparation + minimal ingredients.
- Protein-packed!
- A crowd-pleasing combination that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
- Boasts of a great make ahead, dairy-free, + slow cooker option.
How To Make BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
Cook your ribs by letting them simmer + roast to perfection in the oven fully covered. You can opt for store-bought tortillas or whip up your own homemade ones--- Char them slightly for extra flavor. Don't forget to get amazing fresh toppings like Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, or even Herb Roasted Tomatoes. Once everything is ready, just assemble and enjoy!
Ingredients
- Rack of pork or beef ribs, sliced or whole. About 3 lbs. is ideal for this recipe. Pork ribs (like baby back or spare ribs) are more common, but beef ribs give a bold, meaty bite if you prefer---especially for shredding after.
- Extra virgin olive oil. Just a little to lightly coat and help the seasoning stick. Use your favorite high-quality EVOO—I personally love California Olive Ranch or Brightland Co.for consistent flavor.
- Organic brown sugar. Adds that signature sweet caramelized flavor to balance the smoky and savory notes. Coconut sugar is a great substitute if you’re cutting refined sugars.
- On Everything All-Purpose Blend. This is my go-to for building deep flavor with ease. You can purchase my signature On Everything All-Purpose blend for that bold, well-rounded taste—or use my Homemade BBQ Dry Rub instead.
- Hickory liquid smoke. Just a bit adds that deep, woodsy, straight-off-the-grill aroma without needing a smoker. If you don’t have hickory, mesquite liquid smoke works too.
- BBQ sauce. Use 4 cups of your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce. Whether you like sweet, spicy, or smoky—make it your own! (Check labels for gluten-free or dairy-free needs.) For store-bought, hands down Sweet Baby Ray's, Stubb's BBQ, or Kraft (for traditional users).
- Beef broth or stock. Adds moisture and richness, especially when braising them in the oven for a few hours. Water works in a pinch, but broth gives that extra flavor boost. You can also use beef bone broth----from brands I love like Kettle & Fire.
- Flour or corn tortillas. Street-sized, either store-bought or homemade.
- Cooked sweet corn. This adds a nice hint of sweetness.
- Sliced jalapeños. Remove seeds if you want less heat.
- Poblano peppers. Chopped.
- Other toppings. Fresh toppings like shredded/chopped greens, sliced jalapeños, pickled onions, pico de gallo, salsa de verde, pineapple salsa, feta, Guacamole, and/or your fave cheese crumble.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE RIB TACOS!
Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with my BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet or griddle, BBQ sauces, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Best Tortilla for BBQ Rib Street Tacos?
You can choose either corn or flour tortillas for this shrimp taco recipe. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, corn is your best bet. Whichever option you choose, I recommend the small street taco-size. They’re easy to fill, hold and eat by the dozen! Of course, in a pinch, larger tortillas will work too.
How to Best Char or Warm Tortillas
To lightly toast taco tortillas, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place tortillas directly on the rack. Turn off the oven once heated and let tortillas warm for 2 minutes. Remove from oven. For char on a stovetop, pop one of the tortillas onto a gas burner until you begin to see a little smoke. Remove tortilla to rotate it onto opposite side until it’s lightly charred. Repeat until all tortillas are charred.
Tips for Baking Ribs in the Oven (So They're Tender Every Time!)
Wen it comes to slowly cooking your ribs in the oven like in this recipe, there are a few great steps that you can take to ensure that they come out perfectly every time! Be sure to read my blog post on my Hubby’s Favorite Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs for more in depth tips, grilling + air fryer options, and more!
- Remove the membrane (silver skin) from the back of the ribs. Again, this step is essential for a fall-off-the-bone texture! See the step-by-step directions above for the easiest removal process. Remember, it allows the seasonings to penetrate and keeps the ribs from being too chewy.
- Pat ribs dry before seasoning. Moisture on the surface can prevent a good crust from forming like with any meat (i.e. chicken, wings, other red meats, etc). Drying your ribs with a paper towel helps the dry rub stick better and caramelize beautifully in the oven.
- Don’t skimp on the dry rub. Even if you're slathering them in BBQ sauce later, a flavorful dry rub locks in deep flavor as the ribs roast low and slow---so it's imperative that you don't skimp on seasoning them well. Try my On Everything All-Purpose Blend or Homemade BBQ Dry Rub for best results.
- Bake low and slow for tender meat. Again, this is optional and if you have more time to spare! The sweet spot for baking it slow? 275°F for 2.5 to 3 hours. This gives the meat time to break down gently, resulting in tender, pull-apart ribs without drying them out.
- Sauce at the end for a caramelized finish. After the initial bake, uncover the ribs (if covering), and brush generously with BBQ sauce, and return them to the oven or broiler to create that sticky, glazed crust everyone loves. This is why I initially only suggest adding a bit of BBQ sauce after seasoning. The best time to smother the ribs with sauce is towards the end as directed.
BBQ Rib Taco Topping Ideas
With this BBQ Rib Street Tacos recipe all set and ready to go, it's time to assemble. When it comes to toppings, I enjoy the vibrant, fresh, and sweet medley of ingredients. In this recipe, I've kept it uncomplicated by using just the jalapeños, Pico de Gallo, Salsa de Verde, and Feta. However, feel free to let your creativity run wild and experiment with your favorite toppings!
My favorite taco topping ideas in general include:
- Shredded red cabbage
- Grape tomatoes, fresh or roasted
- Avocado or guac
- Salsa
- Vegan queso
- Corn kernels, roasted or steamed
- Yogurt or sour cream
- Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
- Cheese, shredded or grated
- Dairy-free Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- Candied Bacon
- Pineapple chunks
- Mango chunks
- Hot sauce
- Lime or lemon juice
- Cilantro or parsley, chopped
Meatless Options for These Tacos Besides Ribs
Just in case you make these BBQ Rib Street Tacos more than once and just need a good switch up or you prefer to not eat ribs or meat in general, here are great meatless options that can be in substitution and simply keep BBQ sauce as the sauce:
- Chickpeas
- Other beans [i.e. Kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, etc.]
- Mushrooms
- Tofu
- Plant-based meat crumbles
- Quinoa
- Sweet potatoes, roasted
- Butternut squash, roasted
- Roasted veggies (bell peppers, jalapeños, broccoli, etc.)
Common Q + A's for BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
Place any leftover ingredients in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Certainly, slow cooking works wonders and takes this ribs recipe to the next level of convenience----Simply follow the same steps, ensuring to sear your ribs and aromatics like garlic and onion before combining all the ingredients and letting them simmer to perfection on a low setting for about 6-8 hours.
Yes! All ingredients can be made and individually stored as meal prep (including tortillas) and assembled when ready to serve. The ribs are perfect for meal prep or make-ahead entertaining. Simply bake them fully and shred them, let them cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, adding extra BBQ sauce for moisture and then assemble everything.
They’re ready when the meat is tender and pulls back from the bones—usually after baking at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2.5 to 3 hours or at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 1 hour after the initial bake time. You can also check that the internal temp reaches 190–203°F for perfect fall-apart texture.
It's totally up to you! This recipe works with sweet, spicy, smoky, or even mustard-based BBQ sauces. Just be sure to check the label if you need it to be gluten-free or dairy-free. Personally, I love to make my own Homemade BBQ Sauce or for store-bought, hands down Sweet Baby Ray's, Stubb's BBQ, or Kraft (for traditional users).
You can, although I recommend using bone-in ribs because they offer better flavor and texture. However, if using boneless, reduce the bake time slightly and keep a close eye on the doneness to avoid drying out the ribs.
Of course! Just be sure to use dairy-free feta or cheese if adding as a topic. Also, use dairy-free options for sour cream, yogurt, etc.
More Flavorful Taco Recipes to Try Next!
Now that you're on a snacking kick with this BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos recipe, give these flavorful, bold taco recipes that your entire family will love a try next:
- Weeknight Gochujang Shrimp Tacos
- Spicy Sofritas Quinoa Tacos
- BBQ Cauliflower Tacos
- Meatless Birria Tacos
- Crispy BBQ Pinto Bean Tacos
- Summer Vegan Tacos
- Vegan Jamaican Jerk Walnut Tacos
- Baked Vegan Black Bean Tacos
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos [Dairy-Free]
- Chipotle Sweet Potato Quinoa Tacos
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried my BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag me @shanikagrahamwhite on Instagram. I love hearing from you!
BBQ Braised Rib Street Tacos
Ingredients
BBQ BRAISED RIBS:
- 3 lbs. beef ribs, fat trimmed (You can also use short ribs)
- 2 Tbsps 'On Everything' All-Purpose Blend (You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for authentic flavor or make your own blend----See Notes; You can also use my Homemade BBQ Dry Rub instead.)
- 1 tablespoon hickory liquid smoke
- 2 tsps smoked paprika, optional
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 Tbsps organic brown sugar
- 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, chopped (You can use yellow, white, or red)
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2-3 cups beef stock, organic (You can also use beef bone broth)
- 4 cups BBQ sauce, store-bought or homemade (You can add up to 1 cup more if desired)
TACOS:
- 6 street tortillas, flour or corn
- Your fave greens, shredded or chopped (See Notes)
- Sliced jalapeños
- Pickled onions
- Pico de Gallo (You can make my Fresh Homemade Pico de Gallo or Pico de Gallo Chunky Salsa recipe)
- Salsa de Verde
- Feta or your fave cheese crumble
- Guacamole (You can make my Homemade Guac recipe)
Instructions
SEASON + PREP THE RIBS:
- In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed ribs along with the On Everything All-Purpose Blend, brown sugar, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, and salt, mixing everything together until ribs are fully coated. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes. NOTE: Add coated ribs to a securely sealed ziplock bag and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours or overnight (for best results, but not required). When ready to use after marinating in the fridge, let ribs sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
TO MAKE THE BRAISED BBQ RIBS:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium dutch oven pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once heated, add the garlic, chopped bell peppers, and onions, sautéing until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the seasoned beef ribs and allow them to brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes each side.
- Once fully brown on both side, add the beef broth and BBQ sauce to the pot and stir to combined everything. NOTE: Ensure that ribs are laid flat and side by side and not stacked on one another.
- Place the dutch oven with the lid on in the preheated oven and bake for 3-4 hours, turning the ribs to their opposite sides midway throughout the time and stirring to ensure that nothing sticks.
- Once the sauce has completely thickened and the ribs are tender enough that they've 'fallen off their bones', carefully remove the dutch pot from the oven and let sit for a few minutes, about 10-15 minutes before removing the ribs. NOTE: Having the oven on broil in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking should thicken sauce if it still hasn't thickened all the way. Just be sure to keep an eye on everything and stir occassionally.
- Remove the BBQ ribs from the pot and onto a platter or board and begin 'shredding' the ribs using a knife and fork or two forks until it becomes like "pulled pork". Set aside.
ASSEMBLE THE TACOS:
- To assemble tacos, add a few spoonfuls of shredded BBQ braised ribs atop a charred tortilla followed by your favorite toppings (like shredded/chopped greens, sliced jalapeños, pickled onions, pico de gallo, salsa de verde, pineapple salsa, feta, Guacamole, and/or your fave cheese crumble). Repeat until desired amount of tacos are made. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired.
- Repeat until all tacos are assembled.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Place any leftover ingredients in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- MAKE AHEAD: All ingredients can be made and individually stored as meal prep (including tortillas) and assembled when ready to serve. See tortilla recipe for gluten-free option.
- DAIRY-FREE + SLOW COOKER OPTIONS: See FAQ section for both options!
- MEATLESS OPTIONS: Read the blog post to see great meat alternatives for these tacos!
- OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: See post for other great taco topping options!
- TIPS FOR COOKING RIBS: See my Hubby’s Favorite Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs recipe for awesome tips on making the perfect ribs, etc.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?
Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
LOVE THIS RECIPE?
LET US KNOW!
This was delicious, just made it for my wife for Mother’s Day. How many tacos makes one serving?
Hi Neal! I'm so thrilled to hear that you and your wife enjoyed these tacos! Generally, for the smaller street tacos, about 2-4 tacos makes a serving! 🙂
These look absolutely delicious and I love the slow cooker option!
Omg I have a bunch of Sweet heat products at home (huge fan)! I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
These look amazing!!!! I love tacos and BBQ So o will definitely try this recipe!!! 🌮
Thanks so much, Katrina! I do hope that you enjoy them!
Oh my goodness these look delish!! Taco Tuesday can't come soon enough!
Haha! I couldn't agree more, Chris! Better yet---it should be Taco Everyday!
What a wonderful taco recipe! So full of flavor and I'll definitely have to look for that barbecue seasoning!
Thanks so much, Pam! I do hope that you enjoy!
I was just saying this morning how tacos are my favourite food because there are so many different options when it comes to fillings! I would never have thought to use short ribs. Delish!
Yes! I'm so with ya, Emma! I'm obsessed with Tacos! They really are versatile and adding short ribs is life-changing!
These look absolutely amazing!
Woah i've never tried bbq rib tacos but these look amazing! I'll have to get ribs next time i get groceries
Yes! BBQ Ribs in a taco is AMAZING! I do hope that you enjoy these!
This looks absolutely amazing. I'm hoping to try it sometime!
I'll probably have to substitute some of the ingredients though - in the UK, pork ribs are everywhere but I can't recall seeing beef ribs anywhere. I'll probably have to wing it with the BBQ seasoning too.
Not to worry - one of the things I love about recipes is the way they inspire you to try new things.
Hi Phil! Thanks so much! That’s so true. I’m sure that it’ll taste just as amazing with the substituted ingredients! Be sure to let me know how it turns out! 😊