Low-Heat Braised Short Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone short ribs simmered slowly in a rich tomato-wine sauce until deeply flavorful and tender. This american-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch pieces beef short ribs, olive oil, large onion, finely diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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, cut into 2-inch pieces beef short ribs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 lbs beef short ribs and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and 1 cup beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Add 2 sprigs thyme, 2 sprigs rosemary, and 1 bay leaf. Return the short ribs to the pot.
- Step 5: Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2.5-3 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Remove ribs and strain the sauce into a bowl, discarding herbs. Return sauce to pot and simmer over low heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour to thicken.
- Step 7: Return ribs to sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Heat Braised Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 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 Low-Heat Braised 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Heat Braised 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 Low-Heat Braised 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 Low-Heat Braised Short Ribs?
American 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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.