Thai Braised Beef Short Ribs with Star Anise and Coconut
Rich and tender beef short ribs braised in a fragrant Thai-inspired sauce with star anise, coconut milk, and aromatic herbs. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 205 minutes pairs beef short ribs, whole pods star anise, (14 oz) coconut milk 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs beef short ribs
- 4 whole pods star anise
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 6 minced garlic cloves
- 3 thinly sliced shallots
- 2-inch piece, minced fresh ginger
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 4 leaves lime leaves (kaffir lime)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 lbs beef short ribs and brown on all sides for 8-10 minutes until deep golden.
- Step 2: Remove ribs and set aside. In the same skillet, add 6 minced garlic cloves, 3 thinly sliced shallots, 2-inch minced fresh ginger, and 4 whole star anise pods; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp red chili flakes, and 4 kaffir lime leaves. Return short ribs to the skillet, submerging partially in the sauce.
- Step 4: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until ribs are tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 5: Remove star anise pods and lime leaves before serving. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve over steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Thai Braised Beef Short Ribs with Star Anise and Coconut 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 Thai Braised Beef Short Ribs with Star Anise and Coconut?
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 Thai Braised Beef Short Ribs with Star Anise and Coconut?
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 Thai Braised Beef Short Ribs with Star Anise and Coconut 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 Thai Braised Beef Short Ribs with Star Anise and Coconut?
Thai 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.
