Stuff you'll need for this beef rib recipe... Patience The real secret to our traditional barbecue beef rib recipe is to maintain a low heat (225-250°F/107-121°C) for an extended cooking period. This is not fast, but the best way to get them tender! You'll need a full bucket load of this virtue when cooking ribs on a charcoal grill. Figure about 1.5 hours/pound. Meat Try to buy fresh! Beef ribs are generally sold as Back Ribs, in a plastic vacuum pack, by the slab with 7 ribs.