Whiskey-Braised Short Ribs with Smoked Gouda Polenta

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

Tender short ribs braised in whiskey and aromatic herbs served atop creamy polenta enriched with smoked Gouda cheese. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 215 minutes, pairs beef short ribs, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 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: 195 min Serves 6 American cuisine 700 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 lbs beef short ribs
3 tbsp olive oil
1 large, chopped yellow onion
2 medium, diced carrots
2, diced celery stalks
4, minced garlic cloves
1 cup whiskey
3 cups beef broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup polenta
4 cups water
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
2 tbsp butter

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 3 lbs beef short ribs with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Sear ribs in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Set aside.
Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 8 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking 2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Pour in 1 cup whiskey to deglaze, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 4: Return short ribs to the pot, add 3 cups beef broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Cover and braise in the oven for 3 hours until ribs are tender and falling off the bone.
Step 5: While ribs braise, bring 4 cups water and 1 cup milk to a boil in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in 1 cup polenta and cook over low heat for 25 minutes, stirring frequently until thick.
Step 6: Remove polenta from heat and stir in 2 tbsp butter and 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese until melted and creamy.
Step 7: Serve whiskey-braised short ribs over a generous bed of smoked Gouda polenta, spooning some braising liquid over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Whiskey-Braised Short Ribs with Smoked Gouda Polenta take to make?

Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Whiskey-Braised Short Ribs with Smoked Gouda Polenta?

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 Whiskey-Braised Short Ribs with Smoked Gouda Polenta?

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 Whiskey-Braised Short Ribs with Smoked Gouda Polenta 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 Whiskey-Braised Short Ribs with Smoked Gouda Polenta?

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.