Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs
Tender beef short ribs that slowly imbibe the rich, savory flavors of a homemade broth, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth perfection. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs (900 g) beef short ribs, (30 ml) olive oil, large, finely chopped onion 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 (900 g) beef short ribs
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 2, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces carrots
- 2 stalks, diced into 1/2-inch pieces celery
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) red wine
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp (5 ml) salt
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Pat the beef short ribs dry, then sear for 3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms, then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant, then stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened.
- Step 3: Add the cooked vegetables, 1 cup beef broth, 1/2 cup red wine, 2 sprigs thyme, 2 sprigs rosemary, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the slow cooker with the short ribs. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until meat is fork-tender. Remove ribs and vegetables, strain cooking liquid, and reduce on the stovetop over medium-high heat for 15 minutes until thickened. Pour over ribs and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Slow-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 (900 g) beef short ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-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 Slow-Braised 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 Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs?
American slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.