Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Carrots and Thyme

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef short ribs simmered in a rich ale and herb sauce, accompanied by roasted root vegetables. This american-inspired beef ready in about 160 minutes pairs beef short ribs, dark beer, medium carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 140 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs beef short ribs dry; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat, then sear ribs in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
  3. Step 3: Remove ribs, add 1 large chopped onion and 4 medium diced carrots to pot; cook 5 minutes until softened.
  4. Step 4: Return ribs to pot, pour in 1 cup dark beer, and add 3 sprigs fresh thyme; bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Step 5: Cover, reduce heat to low, and braise for 2 hours until fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs, strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, then return to pot.
  7. Step 7: Whisk in 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, simmer 3 minutes until thickened, then return ribs to sauce and coat evenly.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Carrots and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 160 minutes (20 min prep + 140 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Carrots and Thyme?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef short ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Carrots and Thyme?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Carrots and Thyme for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Carrots and Thyme?

American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes