Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Braised Short Ribs

Braised short ribs are a versatile and delectable dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Whether for a cozy night in or a special occasion, these succulent ribs will have your taste buds dancing with delight. And the best part? They are surprisingly easy to make.

To begin, you’ll need a few key ingredients: bone-in beef short ribs, a selection of chopped vegetables (onions, carrots, and celery), garlic, fresh herbs (such as thyme and rosemary), beef broth, red wine, and tomato paste. Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to get cooking! The process of braising involves searing the meat, then simmering it in a flavorful liquid until it becomes tender and falls off the bone. This method allows the meat to absorb all the delicious flavors of the broth and vegetables, resulting in a mouth-watering dish that captures the essence of comfort food.

Introduction:

Braised short ribs are a delicious, hearty and comforting meal that is perfect for colder months. The tender meat cooks low and slow in a rich sauce, resulting in a dish that is packed with flavor. If you’ve never made braised short ribs before, don’t be intimidated – it’s actually quite easy. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of how to make braised short ribs that are sure to impress your guests.

1. Choosing the Right Cut of Meat

When making braised short ribs, it’s important to choose the right cut of meat. Look for beef short ribs that are evenly sized and have a good amount of marbling throughout. You’ll want to use bone-in short ribs, as the bone adds flavor and helps the meat stay moist during cooking.

2. Pat the Meat Dry and Season

Before searing, make sure to pat the meat dry with paper towels. This will help the meat brown properly. Sprinkle the short ribs with salt and pepper, and any additional seasonings you prefer.

3. Searing the Short Ribs

Searing the short ribs before cooking is crucial to developing flavor. Heat up some oil in a dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the short ribs and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.

4. Remove Short Ribs from the Pan

Once the short ribs are seared, remove them from the pan and set aside. It’s important to not overcrowd the pan, so if you can’t fit them all in at once, do it in batches.

5. Add Aromatics

Next, add diced onions, carrots and celery to the pan and saute until softened. You can also add garlic, bay leaves and thyme for additional flavor.

6. Deglazing the Pan

Deglazing the pan is an essential step to making a flavorful sauce. Pour some beef broth, red wine or beer to the pan, and scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom. This will give you a rich, flavorful sauce.

7. Add the Short Ribs Back to the Pan

Once the pan has been deglazed, add the short ribs back to the pan, and any reserved juices that may have collected on the plate.

8. Slow-Cook the Short Ribs

Now it’s time to let the short ribs cook low and slow. Cover the pan and simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender. You can also transfer the short ribs to a slow cooker if you prefer.

9. Skim the Fat

Once the short ribs are cooked, use a spoon to skim off any excess fat from the surface of the sauce. This will help to make the sauce lighter and less greasy.

10. Thicken the Sauce (Optional)

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can use a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up. Mix together equal parts cornstarch and cold water, and then pour it into the simmering liquid. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens up.

Conclusion:

Braised short ribs are a delicious and easy meal that is perfect for a cozy night in. By following these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to make a delicious meal that is sure to impress your guests. With a bit of patience and some flavorful ingredients, you’ll have a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Before you start cooking, it’s essential to have all the necessary ingredients handy. Braised short ribs require only a few ingredients, but they all come together to create a mouth-watering dish.

1. Short ribs: The star of the dish, short ribs are the cut of meat taken from the lower part of the cow’s ribs. This cut is perfect for braising as it is tougher and holds up well to slow cooking.

2. Seasoning: Apart from the short ribs, the dish requires salt and pepper to season. You can also add garlic powder and onion powder to amp up the flavor.

3. Wine: An essential ingredient in this recipe is red wine, usually dry and full-bodied. The alcohol in the wine helps to tenderize the meat, and the flavor works well with the beef.

4. Vegetables: The dish usually includes carrots and onions, but you can add other vegetables such as celery and potatoes to make it a complete meal.

5. Beef broth: Beef broth helps to add depth and richness to the dish. You can also substitute it with chicken broth if you don’t have beef broth on hand.

6. Thyme: Thyme adds a woody aroma to the dish, and it’s a traditional herb used in braising.

7. Bay Leaves: Bay leaves are another herb that adds flavor to the dish. They have a unique aroma that helps to enhance the overall taste.

8. Tomato paste: Tomato paste helps to thicken the sauce, and it adds a slight sweetness to the dish.

9. Brown sugar: Brown sugar can be added to balance out the acidity from the tomatoes and wine.

10. Olive oil: Olive oil is usually used to sear the short ribs before they go into the oven. It creates a flavorful crust on the meat and adds depth to the dish.

Having all these ingredients handy will make the process of cooking braised short ribs more manageable. Once you have everything, it’s time to start cooking.

Instructions on How to Make Braised Short Ribs

Preparing the Short Ribs

Before beginning to cook the short ribs, you need to prepare them. First, slice off any excess fat from the meat. Then, season the short ribs with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. If you like, you can also add some herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, to the rub.

Once you have seasoned the short ribs, heat some oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs on all sides until they are browned, which should take about 5 minutes per side.

Building the Flavor with Vegetables

Now that the short ribs are seared, it’s time to build the flavor of the dish with vegetables. Remove the short ribs from the Dutch oven and set them aside. Add chopped onions, celery, and carrots to the same Dutch oven, along with minced garlic. Sauté the vegetables until they are tender and translucent.

You can also add other vegetables of your choice, such as mushrooms or potatoes, to the pot to add more flavor and nutrition. Finally, return the short ribs to the Dutch oven.

Braising the Short Ribs

The next step is to braise the short ribs. Add enough beef stock or red wine to the Dutch oven to cover the ribs and vegetables. You can also add some tomato paste for additional flavor.

Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to an oven preheated to 325°F. Let the short ribs cook for about 2 to 3 hours until they are so tender that the meat falls off the bone.

Removing Fat and Thicken the Sauce

Once the short ribs are cooked, remove them from the Dutch oven and place them on a serving plate. You need to use a slotted spoon to remove the vegetables and any excess fat from the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer.

You can thicken the sauce with a slurry of cornstarch and water, which should be added gradually while stirring continuously. This process should take about 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Serving Braised Short Rib

Now that the braised short ribs are ready, you can dig in. You can serve them with some mashed potatoes or creamy polenta. You can also sprinkle fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro on top of the dish to enhance the flavor.

In conclusion, braised short ribs might be a bit of work to prepare, but the result is a crowd-pleaser dish that your guest will love. Take your time, follow the instructions carefully, and enjoy your delicious homemade meal.

Time to Chow Down!

And there you have it folks, your ultimate guide on how to make braised short ribs. We hope you enjoyed reading this article and feel confident to try out this yummy recipe at home. Don’t forget to take some pictures and tag us on social media, we would love to see your masterpiece. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you again for more delicious recipes. Happy cooking!