House-Smoked Beef Short Rib with Butternut Squash Puree and Braised Red Cabbage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-braised beef short ribs smoked to perfection, served with velvety butternut squash puree and tangy braised red cabbage for a true farm-to-table experience. This southern-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs Beef short ribs, Smoked paprika, Garlic powder 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.

★ 3.0 (8 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 700 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season the 2 lbs beef short ribs with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the short ribs for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: In a separate pot, combine 1 lb cubed butternut squash with 1/2 cup water and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 20 minutes until very tender, then drain and blend with 1/4 cup cooking liquid until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Return the Dutch oven to medium heat, add the seared short ribs back in, and pour in 1 cup vegetable broth. Cover and braise in a 325°F oven for 3 hours until fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: In a pot, combine 2 cups sliced red cabbage, 1/2 cup apple cider, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and a pinch of salt. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until cabbage is tender and liquid is reduced by half, stirring occasionally.
  6. Step 6: Remove short ribs from braising liquid, rest for 10 minutes, slice, and serve with butternut squash puree and braised red cabbage.

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 House-Smoked Beef Short Rib with Butternut Squash Puree and Braised Red Cabbage 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 House-Smoked Beef Short Rib with Butternut Squash Puree and Braised Red Cabbage?

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 House-Smoked Beef Short Rib with Butternut Squash Puree and Braised Red Cabbage?

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 House-Smoked Beef Short Rib with Butternut Squash Puree and Braised Red Cabbage 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 House-Smoked Beef Short Rib with Butternut Squash Puree and Braised Red Cabbage?

Southern 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

Related recipes