Authentic Slow-Simmered Beef Short Ribs
True-to-tradition braised short ribs with rich umami depth, inspired by the concept of 'authentic' in culinary craftsmanship. Tender meat falls off the bone with every bite. This mediterranean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 205 minutes pairs beef short ribs, medium carrots, large onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef short ribs
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 large onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat short ribs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear ribs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned — do not crowd the pot.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor. Add 2 chopped carrots and 1 diced onion, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups beef broth and 2 tbsp soy sauce, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Add thyme sprig, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and transfer to a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3 hours until fork-tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Slow-Simmered Beef Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 205 minutes (25 min prep + 180 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-Simmered 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-Simmered 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-Simmered Beef Short Ribs 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 Authentic Slow-Simmered Beef Short Ribs?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
