🍖 Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs – Melt-in-Your-Mouth Perfection 🍷
If you’re craving comfort food that feels fancy yet familiar, these braised beef short ribs are your answer. Slow-cooked in a rich red wine and beef broth sauce, this dish is packed with deep, savory flavor and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Perfect for a cozy dinner in or an impressive dish for guests!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Ribs:
- 2.5–3 lbs beef short ribs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Braising Liquid:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet or Merlot work beautifully)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
👨🍳 Directions
1. Prep and Sear the Ribs
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Pat the short ribs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
Sear ribs on all sides until deeply browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
2. Build the Flavor Base
In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and sauté for 1 more minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes until it darkens slightly.
3. Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to lift all those delicious browned bits.
Add the beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
4. Braise to Perfection
Return the seared ribs (and any juices) to the pot, nestling them into the liquid.
Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours, until the ribs are fork-tender and the meat is nearly falling off the bone.
5. Serve & Enjoy
Serve ribs hot over creamy mashed potatoes, buttery polenta, or even soft egg noodles. Spoon the rich sauce over the top and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
⏱️ Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 4 hearty portions
💡 Tips for the Best Braised Short Ribs
- Make Ahead: Even better the next day! Reheat gently and let flavors develop overnight.
- Degrease the Sauce: Let the pot sit a few minutes after braising and skim any excess fat from the top.
- Wine Substitute: Replace wine with extra broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar if needed.
🍷 What to Serve with Braised Short Ribs
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Garlic Butter Polenta
- Crusty Artisan Bread
- Roasted Root Vegetables
- A glass of bold red wine (of course!)
📌 Final Thoughts
This Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs recipe is a restaurant-worthy meal made right at home. With just a few ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll be rewarded with juicy, tender beef bathed in a soul-warming sauce.
Save it, share it, or print it—this is one of those dishes you’ll come back to again and again.
