Serious Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef short ribs braised for hours until they melt off the bone, layered with rich tomato and red wine sauce for a deeply satisfying, soul-warming meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef short ribs, olive oil, large, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Pat short ribs dry, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear ribs in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add diced onion to pot and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup red wine and 1 cup beef broth, scraping the pot to release browned bits. Add 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 2 bay leaves, and seared ribs.
  5. Step 5: Cover pot, transfer to oven, and braise for 3 hours until meat is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs, strain sauce into a bowl, discarding bay leaves. Skim fat from sauce, then return to pot and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken.
  7. Step 7: Return ribs to sauce and simmer 10 minutes to meld flavors. Discard bay leaves before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Serious Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 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 Serious Slow-Cooked 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 Serious Slow-Cooked 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 Serious Slow-Cooked Beef 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 Serious Slow-Cooked Beef 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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