Whiskey-Glazed Braised Beef Short Ribs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef short ribs slow-braised in a rich whiskey and tomato sauce until falling off the bone. This american-inspired beef ready in about 220 minutes pairs beef short ribs, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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: 25 min Cook: 195 min Serves 6 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 3 lbs beef short ribs and season evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned and crispy at the edges. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly. Carefully pour in 1 cup whiskey to deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Let the whiskey reduce by half over 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Return the short ribs to the pot and pour in 3 cups beef broth. Add 3 fresh thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly, and transfer to the oven.
  5. Step 5: Braise for 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender and falling off the bone. Remove thyme, bay leaves, and skim excess fat. Serve ribs with sauce spooned over.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Whiskey-Glazed Braised Beef Short Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 220 minutes (25 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-Glazed 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 Whiskey-Glazed 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 Whiskey-Glazed 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 Whiskey-Glazed 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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