Hoppy Bitter Ale Braised Beef Short Ribs
Slow-braised beef short ribs cooked in a bitter English-style pale ale, enriched with aromatic vegetables and herbs for a deep, savory flavor. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 225 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 520 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 lbs (about 6 ribs) beef short ribs
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 1 large, diced celery stalk
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 12 oz bottle pale ale beer (bitter style)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 3 lbs beef short ribs with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Dredge ribs in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove ribs and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced carrot, 1 large diced celery stalk, and 1 medium diced yellow onion to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and start to caramelize. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in 12 oz pale ale beer and 2 cups beef broth, scraping browned bits from the pot bottom.
- Step 5: Return short ribs to pot, add 3 fresh thyme sprigs and 1 bay leaf. Cover with lid and transfer to oven. Braise for 3 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 6: Remove ribs and herbs from pot. Skim fat from surface of braising liquid and reduce sauce on stovetop over medium heat until slightly thickened. Serve ribs drizzled with the rich bitter ale sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hoppy Bitter Ale Braised Beef Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 225 minutes (30 min prep + 195 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 Hoppy Bitter 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 Hoppy Bitter 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 Hoppy Bitter Ale 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 Hoppy Bitter Ale Braised Beef Short Ribs?
British 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.
