Tender & Juicy: Simple Beef Short Ribs Recipe That Amazes

Beef short ribs unlock a world of rich, comforting flavors that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

Slow-cooking transforms these hearty cuts into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness that rivals any restaurant dish.

Tender meat practically falls off the bone after hours of gentle braising.

Robust marinades and simple seasonings create a deeply satisfying meal that impresses without complexity.

A few key ingredients and patient cooking bring out remarkable depth in every bite.

Wine or broth helps tenderize the meat while building complex layers of taste.

Trust me, these short ribs will become your new favorite weekend cooking adventure.

Tender and Flavorful Beef Short Ribs to Savor

• Savor Hearty Comfort: These beef short ribs deliver ultimate comfort food with rich, deep flavors that warm your soul and satisfy serious hunger cravings.
• Master Gourmet Cooking: Despite seeming complex, this recipe allows home cooks to create restaurant-quality dishes with simple techniques and minimal professional skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Meal: Perfect for family gatherings, dinner parties, or special occasions, these short ribs impress guests and create memorable dining experiences with minimal last-minute preparation.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup and straightforward cooking method make this recipe incredibly convenient, letting you spend more time enjoying the meal and less time washing dishes.

Ingredients for Delicious Beef Short Ribs

• Beef Short Ribs: Premium cut of meat known for its rich flavor and tender texture when slow-cooked.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix blend that provides a robust and deep flavor base for the braising liquid.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and savory dimension to the overall dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural taste of the beef.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates and deepens the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and richness to the braising liquid.
• Beef Broth: Creates a flavorful cooking liquid that helps tenderize the meat.

• Fresh Thyme, Fresh Rosemary: Aromatic herbs that complement the rich beef flavor.
• Bay Leaves: Provides a subtle earthy undertone to the braising liquid.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a slight tangy brightness to balance the rich meat.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a fresh, bright garnish to finish the dish.

• Mushrooms: Adds an extra layer of earthy flavor and texture to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for browning the meat and sautéing vegetables.

How to Prepare Beef Short Ribs Perfectly

Step 1: Prep the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350F (175C) to get ready for some serious cooking magic.

Step 2: Season the Meat

Shower the beef short ribs with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper, making sure every inch gets some love.

Step 3: Brown the Ribs

Heat olive oil in a hefty oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Sear the short ribs until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust on all sides.

Once beautifully browned, transfer them to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Sauté the Veggies

• Chopped onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Cook these until they soften and become wonderfully fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Add Aromatic Touches

Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, letting them dance around the pot for about 2 minutes to release their deep flavors.

Step 6: Deglaze with Wine

Pour in red wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.

Let it simmer and reduce for 5 minutes.

Step 7: Build the Braising Liquid

• Beef broth
• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary
• Bay leaves

Gently return the short ribs to the pot, ensuring they’re mostly submerged in the flavorful liquid.

Step 8: Optional Flavor Boosters

• Sliced mushrooms
• Balsamic vinegar

Step 9: Slow Braise to Perfection

Cover the pot and slide it into the preheated oven.

Let the ribs braise for 2.5-3 hours until they’re so tender they practically melt.

Step 10: Final Touches

Pull the pot out of the oven.

Remove and discard the bay leaves and herb sprigs.

Skim off any excess fat floating on top.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Plate up the short ribs with their braising vegetables and rich sauce.

Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.

Pro Tips for Tender and Juicy Beef Short Ribs

• Select well-marbled, thick-cut beef short ribs from a trusted butcher for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Brown the short ribs slowly and thoroughly to develop a deep, rich crust that locks in amazing flavors and creates delicious fond.
• Ensure ribs are mostly submerged in braising liquid but not completely covered to maintain perfect moisture and prevent boiling.
• Keep oven temperature steady at 350F and allow sufficient braising time (2.5-3 hours) for meat to become incredibly tender and fall-apart soft.
• Let short ribs sit for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, guaranteeing maximum succulence and easier slicing.

Variations to Customize Beef Short Ribs

• Slow Cooker Method: Replace oven braising by using a slow cooker. Brown short ribs first, then transfer to slow cooker with vegetables and liquid. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until meat is tender.
• Herb-Crusted Variation: Coat short ribs with a mixture of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano before browning. Add dijon mustard for extra flavor complexity.
• Beer-Braised Alternative: Substitute red wine with dark craft beer or stout for a richer, maltier flavor profile. Use dark beer like Guinness for deeper taste notes.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip root vegetables and use cauliflower instead of carrots. Replace tomato paste with roasted red pepper puree for added depth without extra carbohydrates.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Short Ribs

• Rustic Family Feast: Pair these succulent short ribs with creamy mashed potatoes that soak up the rich braising sauce perfectly.
• Wine Country Companion: Pour a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec alongside the dish to complement the deep, meaty flavors and enhance the dining experience.
• Veggie Harmony: Roast seasonal root vegetables like parsnips and carrots as a colorful side that echoes the braising vegetables in the pot, creating a beautiful plate presentation.
• Herb Fresh Finish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives just before serving to add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the richness of the tender beef short ribs.

Storage Tips for Beef Short Ribs

• Store cooled short ribs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring they're completely covered with braising liquid to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Beef short ribs can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Preheat oven to 325F. Place short ribs in a baking dish with reserved braising liquid, cover with foil, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Add extra liquid if needed to prevent drying.

FAQs

• What cut of beef works best for short ribs?

Chuck or plate short ribs are ideal, as they have excellent marbling and become incredibly tender when braised, ensuring rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Can I use different herbs if I don't have thyme or rosemary?

Absolutely! You can substitute with dried herbs like oregano or swap fresh herbs with dried equivalents. Just remember to use about one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh.

• Why do I need to brown the short ribs before braising?

Browning creates a delicious caramelized crust called the Maillard reaction, which develops deep, complex flavors and helps seal in the meat’s natural juices, resulting in more flavorful and tender short ribs.

Simple Beef Short Ribs Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent beef short ribs showcase classic comfort from Italian culinary traditions. Rich braising techniques create tender meat that melts with deep, hearty flavors you’ll savor completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs

Aromatics and Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced

Seasonings and Liquid Ingredients:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) dry red wine
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth
• 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an optimal environment for slow-cooking the beef short ribs.
2. Liberally coat the beef short ribs with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring an even seasoning layer.
3. Warm olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat, creating a hot surface for searing the meat to develop rich, caramelized flavors.
4. Meticulously brown the short ribs on all exterior surfaces until a deep golden crust forms, then transfer to a separate plate.
5. In the same pot, sauté chopped onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and tender, approximately 5-7 minutes.
6. Introduce minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring continuously to prevent burning and enhance the aromatic base.
7. Deglaze the pot with red wine, carefully scraping the flavorful browned bits from the bottom, and allow the liquid to reduce for 5 minutes.
8. Pour in beef broth and add fresh thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves, creating a robust braising liquid.
9. Return the seared short ribs to the pot, ensuring they are completely submerged in the fragrant cooking liquid.
10. Incorporate sliced mushrooms and a splash of balsamic vinegar for additional depth of flavor.
11. Securely cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven, braising for 2.5-3 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender and nearly falls apart.
12. Remove from the oven and discard the herb sprigs and bay leaves, skimming excess fat from the surface of the sauce.
13. Plate the succulent short ribs alongside the braising vegetables, drizzling with the rich cooking sauce and garnishing with freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

• Tenderize meat by choosing well-marbled short ribs with visible fat streaks for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Control cooking time carefully to prevent overcooking, which can make meat tough and dry instead of melt-in-your-mouth tender.
• Select robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot for deeper braising liquid complexity and enhanced meat richness.
• Gluten-free adaptation works perfectly by ensuring all ingredients like broth and wine are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Braising
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg