Half-Pint Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich and tender beef short ribs slow-braised in half a pint of dark ale, infused with aromatic vegetables and herbs for deep flavor. This french-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef short ribs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 French cuisine 700 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 3 lbs beef short ribs evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Brown the short ribs in batches, 3-4 minutes per side, until well caramelized; transfer to a plate.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 medium diced onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk to the pot, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until the paste darkens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute to form a roux.
  7. Step 7: Gradually pour in 1/2 pint (8 fl oz) dark ale while stirring, scraping browned bits from the pot bottom.
  8. Step 8: Add 2 cups beef broth, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf; return the short ribs to the pot.
  9. Step 9: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and braise in a 325°F oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender and falling off the bone.
  10. Step 10: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving the short ribs with the rich braising liquid.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Pint Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 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 Half-Pint Ale-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 Half-Pint Ale-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 Half-Pint Ale-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 Half-Pint Ale-Braised Beef Short Ribs?

French 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.

Related recipes