Go Back
Fork-tender braised beef short ribs recipe with rich brown sauce, garnished with fresh herbs, served in rustic Dutch oven

Easy Short Ribs Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide to Tender Beef

This Ultimate Short Ribs Recipe transforms an intimidating cut of beef into a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece. With rich flavors developed through perfect braising, this dish guarantees restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 –5 pounds bone-in beef short ribs English-cut preferred
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 carrots chopped
  • 3 celery stalks chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup red wine or beef broth substitute
  • 2 cups beef broth low sodium
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 –3 thyme sprigs
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat short ribs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs in batches 3–4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add onion, carrots, and celery to pot. Cook 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute.
  4. Deglaze with red wine, scraping up browned bits. Reduce by half, then add beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme.
  5. Return ribs to pot, ensuring they’re mostly submerged. Bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to oven.
  6. Braise 2.5–3 hours until fork-tender. Remove from oven and rest 10 minutes. Skim excess fat and discard bay leaves.
  7. Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

For lighter version, trim visible fat before cooking. Substitute red wine with pomegranate juice for a non-alcoholic option. Let cooked ribs rest in braising liquid overnight for enhanced flavor. Reheat gently before serving.