Best-Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs braised for hours in a savory wine-and-herb sauce with root vegetables, making weeknight dinner feel like a celebration. This american-inspired beef ready in about 390 minutes pairs pounds beef short ribs, tablespoons olive oil, medium, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 3 pounds beef short ribs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, chopped onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 3 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks carrots
- 3 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks potatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 3 pounds beef short ribs dry with paper towels, then season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, sear ribs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 chopped medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 2 minutes until softened, then stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom to release browned bits, then return ribs to the pot.
- Step 5: Add 3 chopped medium carrots, 3 chopped medium potatoes, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Step 6: Cover and simmer on low heat for 6-8 hours until meat is fork-tender, or transfer to a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, then serve with reserved sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 390 minutes (30 min prep + 360 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 Best-Ever 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 pounds beef short ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Ever 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 Best-Ever 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 Best-Ever Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs?
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
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
