Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs

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

Tender beef short ribs slow-braised in rich Italian red wine and aromatic vegetables for deep, comforting flavor. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 215 minutes pairs beef short ribs, dry Italian red wine, large, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 20 min Cook: 195 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 3 lbs beef short ribs evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 diced large carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, and 1 chopped medium yellow onion. Sauté for 6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 2 cups dry Italian red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Step 6: Return the short ribs to the pot and add 2 cups beef broth, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme.
  7. Step 7: Cover the pot with a lid and place in the oven. Braise for 3 hours until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
  8. Step 8: Remove rosemary and thyme sprigs before serving. Spoon some braising liquid over the ribs for extra richness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 215 minutes (20 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 Red Wine-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 Red Wine-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 Red Wine-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 Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Ribs?

Italian 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.