Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef Short Ribs
Tender beef short ribs slowly braised in a rich whiskey and tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 200 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 520 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup whiskey
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat dry 3 lbs beef short ribs and season with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup whiskey, scraping the bottom to deglaze the pan, and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced. Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
- Step 4: Return the short ribs to the pot, submerging them partially in the sauce. Cover with a lid and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Step 5: Remove ribs and keep warm. Discard thyme and bay leaves. Simmer sauce on stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve ribs with sauce spooned over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef Short Ribs 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-Infused 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-Infused 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-Infused 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-Infused 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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