Description
Tender and flavorful braised beef short ribs cooked slowly in red wine and beef broth with aromatic vegetables and herbs, resulting in a rich and hearty dish perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Short Ribs and Seasoning
- 8 whole bone-in beef short ribs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 carrots, chopped
Liquids and Flavorings
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup dry red wine (such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir)
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for braising the short ribs.
- Sauté vegetables: In a large dutch oven or oven-safe pot with a lid, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and chopped carrots, cooking for a few minutes while stirring constantly until slightly softened. Remove the vegetables and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare and brown ribs: Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper, then coat all sides with the flour. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pot, turning the heat to high. Brown the ribs on all sides, about 45 seconds per side, to develop flavor. Remove the ribs to a plate after browning.
- Deglaze the pot: Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom to lift browned bits. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate flavor.
- Add broth and seasonings: Stir in the beef broth, tomato paste, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed to balance flavors.
- Combine ingredients for braising: Return the ribs and sautéed vegetables to the pot. Add the whole sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary on top.
- Braise in oven: Cover the pot with a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours, then reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees and continue cooking for another 30–45 minutes. The ribs should be very tender and nearly falling off the bone.
- Rest and skim fat: Remove the pot from the oven and allow the ribs to rest, covered, for 20 minutes. Skim any excess fat off the surface of the liquid before serving.
- Serve: Serve the braised short ribs over mashed potatoes, spooning some of the flavorful braising gravy over the top for a complete dish.
- Store leftovers: Store any leftover short ribs in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, depending on the freshness of your ingredients.
Notes
- For extra rich flavor, choose a full-bodied red wine such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir.
- Make sure to brown the ribs well to develop a deep, complex flavor base for the sauce.
- Allow the ribs to rest before serving to let the juices redistribute for maximum tenderness.
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried thyme and rosemary can be used but reduce the quantity to one teaspoon each.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes or polenta to soak up the rich sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American