Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs braised in a rich tomato-wine sauce with aromatic herbs, perfect for a cozy dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 240 minutes pairs beef short ribs, olive oil, large, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs beef short ribs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch coins carrots
- 1 large, finely diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat short ribs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear ribs for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned — do not crowd the pot.
- Step 2: Remove ribs and set aside. Add carrots and onion to the pot, cooking for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and darkened.
- Step 3: Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until reduced by half. Return ribs to the pot, then add beef broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and transfer to a preheated 325°F oven.
- Step 4: Braise for 3.5 hours, checking occasionally to ensure liquid barely covers ribs. After 3 hours, check for tenderness by piercing with a fork — ribs should yield easily. Discard bay leaves before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 240 minutes (30 min prep + 210 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 Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs?
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 Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs?
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 Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs?
American slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many slow cooker recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better slow cooker dishes though.
