Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine

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

Fall-off-the-bone tender beef short ribs braised in a rich red wine sauce, perfect for a comforting dinner. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 505 minutes pairs beef short ribs, all-purpose flour, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 French cuisine 580 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 lbs beef short ribs dry and season with salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp all-purpose flour.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup red wine and 2 tbsp tomato paste, scraping up browned bits, and cook for 2 minutes until wine reduces.
  5. Step 5: Pour mixture over short ribs in slow cooker. Add 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1 tsp dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs and strain cooking liquid into a saucepan. Simmer until reduced by half, then whisk in 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water. Cook for 2 minutes until thickened.
  7. Step 7: Return ribs to sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to coat.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine take to make?

Total time is about 505 minutes (25 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-Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine?

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-Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine 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-Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine?

French 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

Related recipes