Dark Fruit and Cocoa Braised Beef Short Ribs

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

Slow-braised beef short ribs simmered in a rich sauce of dark fruits and cocoa, delivering deep, complex flavors and tender meat. This general-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef short ribs, olive oil, large, chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 3 lbs beef short ribs with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat and brown the ribs on all sides, about 4 minutes per side; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté over medium heat for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute more.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, cooking for 2 minutes until well combined and aromatic. Pour in 1 cup dry red wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 cups beef broth, 1/2 cup chopped dried prunes, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Return the beef ribs to the pot, submerging partially in the liquid.
  5. Step 5: Cover and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 3 hours until ribs are tender and meat pulls away from the bone. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Dark Fruit and Cocoa Braised Beef Short Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (30 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 Dark Fruit and Cocoa 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 Dark Fruit and Cocoa 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 Dark Fruit and Cocoa Braised 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 Dark Fruit and Cocoa Braised Beef Short Ribs?

General 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.

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