Sazerac-Braised Short Ribs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone short ribs simmered in a rich sauce of bourbon, absinthe, and aromatic herbs for a deeply savory centerpiece. This american-inspired beef ready in about 205 minutes pairs beef short ribs, bourbon, absinthe for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.1 (8 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat short ribs dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and black pepper; sear in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until deeply browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  2. Step 2: Add chopped carrot, onion, and garlic to the pot; cook for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant, then stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize.
  3. Step 3: Pour bourbon into the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, then add absinthe; ignite briefly to burn off alcohol (safely), then add beef stock and thyme, bringing to a gentle simmer.
  4. Step 4: Cover and braise in a preheated 325°F oven for 3 hours until tender, checking occasionally to ensure liquid is simmering gently without boiling.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sazerac-Braised Short Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 205 minutes (25 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 Sazerac-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 beef short ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sazerac-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 Sazerac-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 Sazerac-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.

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