Whiskey-Glazed Short Ribs with Bourbon and Brown Sugar

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

Tender braised short ribs glazed with a rich bourbon and brown sugar sauce that balances smoky and sweet flavors beautifully. 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
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 3 lbs beef short ribs evenly with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then carefully add 1 cup bourbon whiskey to deglaze, scraping browned bits from the pot; simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
  5. Step 5: Add 2 cups beef broth, 0.5 cup brown sugar, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme. Return short ribs to the pot, submerging partially in the liquid.
  6. Step 6: Cover pot tightly and place in the preheated oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until ribs are fall-apart tender.
  7. Step 7: Remove ribs and strain sauce, simmering sauce over medium heat until thickened to a glaze consistency. Return ribs to the glaze and coat thoroughly before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Whiskey-Glazed Short Ribs with Bourbon and Brown Sugar 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 Whiskey-Glazed Short Ribs with Bourbon and Brown Sugar?

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 Short Ribs with Bourbon and Brown Sugar?

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 Short Ribs with Bourbon and Brown Sugar 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 Short Ribs with Bourbon and Brown Sugar?

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.

Related recipes