Red-Wine-Braised Short Ribs

 October 2011 Issue
BY JENNY ROSENSTRACH AND ANDY WARD

4.2 ***** (2976 Ratings)

• ACTIVE TIME

  25 minutes

• TOTAL TIME

  3 hours 35 minutes

This braised short ribs recipe has fans. “This has been my go-to recipe for short ribs for as long as I can remember,” says one commenter, “it never fails.” It’s an ideal dish for entertaining since short ribs are even better when allowed to rest overnight to reheat the following day.

The cooking method is simple, building flavor with each step: Start by heading to a butcher and ask them to cut bone-in short ribs (which have more flavor than boneless short ribs) into 2" pieces. Using a Dutch oven, sear them in batches until cooked on all sides. When you pour off the fat, take care not to lose the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, which will add even more flavor. Next, sauté some aromatic vegetables in the residual drippings, then toast the tomato paste and flour, which will add a depth of flavor and viscosity to the braise. After deglazing with the red wine (scrape up those browned bits so they dissolve), you’ll simmer the meat on the stovetop for a bit before tucking in lots of garlic and fresh herbs, dousing the whole thing with beef broth, and sliding the braise into the oven.

The long cook time transforms the braising liquid into a rich sauce and the short ribs into fall-off-the-bone tender chunks. Transfer the meat to a platter and strain the sauce, skimming the fat that rises to the top. Serve with mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, plush Parker House rolls, or wide ribbons of pasta, so none of that sauce goes to waste.

6 servings

5

lb. bone-in beef short ribs, cut crosswise into 2" pieces

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3

Tbsp. vegetable oil

3

medium yellow onions, chopped

3

medium carrots, peeled, chopped

2

celery stalks, chopped

3

Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1

Tbsp. tomato paste

1

750-ml bottle dry red wine (preferably Cabernet Sauvignon)

10

sprigs flat-leaf parsley

8

sprigs freesh thyme

4

sprigs fresh oregano

2

sprigs fresh rosemary

2

fresh or dried bay leaves

1

head of garlic, halved crosswise

4

cups low-sodium beef stock

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 350°. Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Working in 2 batches, brown short ribs on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch. Transfer short ribs to a plate. Pour off all but 3 Tbsp. drippings from pot.

   Step 2

   Add onions, carrots, and celery to pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until onions are browned, about 5 minutes. Add flour and tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until well combined and deep red, 2–3 minutes. Stir in wine, then add short ribs with any accumulated juices. Bring to a boil; lower heat to medium and simmer until wine is reduced by half, about 25 minutes. Add all herbs to pot along with garlic. Stir in stock. Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to oven.

   Step 3

   Cook until short ribs are tender, 2–2½ hours. Transfer short ribs to a platter. Strain sauce from pot into a measuring cup. Spoon fat from surface of sauce and discard; season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Serve in shallow bowls over mashed potatoes with sauce spooned over. 

2. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/red-wine-braised-short-ribs
   
   Editor’s note: This recipe was first printed in our October 2011 issue; head this way for more of our favorite comfort foods →

Nutrition Per Serving

One serving contains: Calories (kcal) 566.1 %Calories from Fat 53.5 Fat (g) 33.8 Saturated Fat (g) 11.8 Cholesterol (mg) 131.8 Carbohydrates (g) 13.5 Dietary Fiber (g) 2.7 Total Sugars (g) 7.2 Net Carbs (g) 10.8 Protein (g) 48.2 Sodium (mg) 136.5