Chuck
Short ribs (English)
USDA safe 145°F + 3 min rest
Jevi’s notes
Packed with collagen, which needs time to turn into gelatin. Dry-brine overnight, then braise them low so they turn tender without squeezing out every drop of juice.
From the Primal Cut Sheet post Consult dispatch #1: braise fundamentals.
Thaw (fridge)
Planning estimate for a 3 lb package: ~24 hours in the refrigerator (≤40°F). USDA: large items ~24h per 5 lb; small packages often need a full day. Never thaw on the counter. Big roasts need a head start.
Methods
- Braise (oven) · oven 300°F · pull ~200°F (texture/plan) · rest 20 minEst. cook: ~240 min for 3 lb
- Smoke (grill) · pit 250°F · pull ~203°F (texture/plan) · rest 45 minEst. cook: ~285 min for 3 lb
Pull temperatures for braises and BBQ are texture targets and may run above the USDA minimums. Either way, meet the USDA floor and check with a thermometer, not the clock.
Sources: FoodSafety.gov safe minimums · USDA FSIS — The Big Thaw