These beef short ribs are braised low and slow in a rich, aromatic red wine sauce, giving fall-off-the-bone meat every time. It’s the perfect hearty and satisfying meal for cozy nights and special occasions! Easy to make on the stove, in the slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot.
Baby back ribs and pork ribs always get all of the attention, but have you ever indulged in bone-in beef short ribs? Short ribs are smaller, but when given a little TLC, the meat literally falls right off the bone and is downright delicious.
To make the magic happen, these beef short ribs are seared, then cooked low and slow in a red wine braising liquid. This gorgeous sauce coats the beef and infuses show-stopping flavors into every bite. Pair the meal with creamy mashed potatoes and a glass of red wine, and you have a restaurant-worthy meal at home!
What are beef short ribs?
Beef short ribs are cut from the chuck section, whereas beef back ribs are taken from the cow’s rib section. As a result, short ribs are meatier, with more marbled fat and a complex, beefy flavor.
Why this recipe works
This braised beef short ribs recipe is all about cooking the meat low and slow to easily break down the connective tissue. The result? Beautifully tender, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone ribs.
- Easy for all skill levels. This dish may look like it belongs in a fancy restaurant, but making it is easier than you think! Once you get everything in the pot, very little hands-on work is required.
- Nourishing ingredients. This dish is naturally dairy free, easy to make gluten free, and delivers plenty of protein from the beef and fiber from the vegetables.
- Great for everyday dinners and elegant entertaining. These meaty short ribs are simple enough for low-key family dinners, yet sophisticated enough for holidays and special occasions.
This epic dinner is made with flavorful, yet accessible everyday ingredients. This is everything you need:
- Beef short ribs. Use bone-in beef short ribs for maximum flavor and tenderness. You should be able to find them at most grocery stores and butcher shops. When shopping, look for short ribs that are well-marbled with fat and have a deep red color. If they look gray, stay away!
- Salt and pepper. To season the beef.
- Flour. Dredging the ribs in flour adds depth to the rich, meaty flavor and helps create a crispy crust on the surface.
- Oil. To coat the bottom of the pot and prevent the beef from sticking during the browning process.
- Onion, celery, and carrots. This trio starts this comforting meal with a savory and aromatic baseline of flavor.
- Tomato paste. To build on the umami tones and help transform the braising liquid into a thick sauce.
- Red wine. To deglaze the pot and add depth to the dish. Use a rich, full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot (or preferably one you can pair with the meal).
Alcohol-free substitution
Instead of red wine, you can deglaze the pot with extra beef stock, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
- Beef stock. Use good quality beef stock or bone broth for the richest flavors.
- Worcestershire sauce. It adds savory-tangy notes and enhances the flavor of the meat.
- Garlic cloves. For depth.
- Bay leaves and rosemary. Adds fragrant, earthy notes. Don’t forget to remove and discard them before serving.
Dietary swap
You can make this recipe gluten free by dredging the beef in gluten free all purpose flour and using a gluten free Worcestershire sauce.
How to make braised beef short ribs
Once you get going on this beef short ribs recipe, it won’t be long before your kitchen smells fantastic. Here’s how it comes together:
Step 1 – Season the beef
Pat the short ribs dry with a paper towel, then season them on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge them in the flour to finish.
Step 2 – Sear
Heat the oil in a pot over high heat. Once it’s hot, add the short ribs and brown on all sides. Set aside.
Step 3 – Sauté the vegetables
Reduce the heat, then add the onion, carrots, and celery into the now empty pot. Sauté until they’re soft and fragrant. Next, stir in the tomato paste.
Step 4 – Deglaze the pot
Deglaze the pot with the wine, scraping up any brown bits stuck to the bottom. Let it simmer for a few minutes so the alcohol can evaporate.
Step 5 – Cook the beef
Add the stock, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, rosemary, and bay leaves to the pot. Place the seared short ribs back in and bring the mixture up to a boil. Lower the heat, cover with a lid, and cook.
The meat should be ready to serve and fall-off-the-bone tender after a few hours. Enjoy!
- Always sear the beef. Searing the ribs in the pot seals in the natural flavors and creates a flavorful crust around the exterior.
- Scrape the pot. When you add the red wine, don’t forget to scrape up any stuck browned food on the bottom of the pot. They have a ton of flavor!
- Cover with a lid. You must cover the pot or Dutch oven tightly with a lid. This sealed, moist environment is critical to the braising process and even cooking.
- Strain the excess fat. Excess fat from the ribs may rise to the surface of the braising liquid as it simmers. You can leave this as-is or skim off the fat or strain the sauce before serving.
What to serve with short ribs
These saucy beef short ribs recipe are delicious when served over a bed of mashed potatoes, polenta, or cooked egg noodles. For a well-rounded meal, include a few vegetables on the side, like potatoes and carrots, green beans, asparagus, or brussels sprouts.
Storage instructions
To store: Transfer the cooled ribs to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze: The ribs freeze well in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat: Place the leftovers in a small saucepan and reheat over medium heat until the beef is heated through. Add a splash of beef stock if the sauce needs to be thinned out.
Recommended tools to make this recipe
- Large pot or Dutch oven. All of the ingredients simmer and cook together in one large pot on the stove.
- Instant read thermometer. To check that the ribs are cooked through (200ºF).
- Wood spoon. To stir and incorporate all of the ingredients.
More must-try beef recipes
Frequently asked questions
Yes! To make Instant Pot short ribs, sear the seasoned ribs in the pot using Saute mode. Set them aside, then add the veggies. Deglaze the pot with red wine and stir in the remaining ingredients. Return the short ribs to the pot, seal the lid on top, and cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes with 15 minutes of natural pressure release.
Brown the short ribs and cook the vegetables in a skillet on the stove, then combine them with the remaining ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 6 hours.
Yes. Just like any other meat, beef short ribs become tough and dry if overcooked. To avoid this, keep the cooking temperature low while watching the beef as it cooks. You’ll know the meat is cooked perfectly when it slides off the bone and the internal temperature reaches about 200ºF.
This can happen when the meat is either undercooked, overcooked, or cooked over high heat. To avoid this, always cook the ribs low and slow with plenty of liquid in the pot.
Beef Short Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef short ribs around 10 ribs
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 2 large onions chopped
- 2 ribs celery chopped
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth beef stock
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs Rosemary fresh
Instructions
- Season the beef with salt and pepper and dredge all sides in flour.
- Heat the oil in a large pot over high heat and brown the ribs for 5-7 minutes. Transfer the ribs to the plate.
- Turn the temperature to medium-low and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Saute until the carrots and celery get soft. Add the tomato paste and quickly stir the mixture until it combines.
- Pour the wine and cook until the alcohol evaporates, around 3 minutes.
- Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, and ribs. Let the mixture start boiling, lower the temperature to low, cover with a lid, and cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is soft and tender.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
