Winning Streak: Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone beef ribs braised in a rich tomato-wine sauce, tenderized over 6 hours for a show-stopping centerpiece. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 385 minutes pairs (1.1 kg) beef short ribs, all-purpose flour, extra-virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) beef short ribs
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium (1 cup diced) carrots
- 1 large (1 cup diced) yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 1.5 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat short ribs dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Dust each piece evenly with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned, then set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 cup diced carrots and 1 cup diced onion to pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Sauté for 1 minute until mixture darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup red wine, scraping browned bits from pot, and simmer for 3 minutes until liquid reduces by half. Add 1.5 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, and reserved ribs. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5: Cover pot and transfer to a 250°F (120°C) oven. Braise for 6 hours until meat is fork-tender and falls off the bone, skimming excess fat from surface if desired before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Winning Streak: Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 385 minutes (25 min prep + 360 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 Winning Streak: Slow-Cooked 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 (1.1 kg) beef short ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Winning Streak: Slow-Cooked 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 Winning Streak: Slow-Cooked 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 Winning Streak: Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs?
American slow cooker 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better slow cooker dishes though.
