Whiskey-Glazed Short Ribs with Local Colorado Honey

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

Tender braised short ribs glazed with a rich whiskey and honey sauce, showcasing flavors from Colorado’s local spirits and honey. 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 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: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 3 lbs beef short ribs generously with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides until deeply browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Carefully add 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits. Stir in 1/4 cup local Colorado honey, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 2 cups beef broth.
  5. Step 5: Return the short ribs to the pot, add 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, cover with a tight lid, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 hours until meat is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove ribs, skim excess fat from sauce, and simmer uncovered on stovetop for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and glazes the ribs when spooned over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Whiskey-Glazed Short Ribs with Local Colorado Honey 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 Local Colorado Honey?

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 Local Colorado Honey?

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 Local Colorado Honey 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 Local Colorado Honey?

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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