Brussels Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs
Tender beef short ribs simmered in a rich beer and onion sauce, embodying Brussels' culinary heritage. This belgian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 175 minutes pairs beef short ribs, Belgian beer, large, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2 lbs beef short ribs
- 1 cup Belgian beer
- 1 large, finely diced yellow onion
- 1, sliced carrot
- 2, sliced celery stalk
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lbs beef short ribs dry with paper towels. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs on all sides until browned, about 3 minutes per side.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 sliced carrot, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup Belgian beer and 1 cup beef broth, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and braise for 2.5 hours until meat is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove ribs and strain the sauce. Whisk 2 tbsp flour into the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Return ribs to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brussels Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 175 minutes (25 min prep + 150 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 Brussels Beer-Braised 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 Brussels Beer-Braised 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 Brussels Beer-Braised 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 Brussels Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs?
Belgian 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
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
