Stout Braised Beef Short Ribs

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

Tender beef short ribs slowly braised in a rich half-pint of stout beer create a deeply flavorful and comforting dish. This american-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef short ribs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 180 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat 3 lbs beef short ribs dry and season all sides with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs on all sides until deeply browned, about 3 minutes per side. Remove ribs and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk to the pot. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and edges start browning.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/2 pint (8 fl oz) stout beer, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Step 6: Add 2 cups beef broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Return short ribs to the pot, submerging them halfway in the liquid.
  7. Step 7: Cover Dutch oven with lid and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
  8. Step 8: Remove short ribs and strain braising liquid if desired. Serve ribs with sauce spooned over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stout Braised 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 Stout 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 Stout 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 Stout 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 Stout Braised 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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