Braising is a perfect cooking method for tough pieces of meat that will break down over the cooking time. Beef short ribs naturally contain a good hunk of fat, which adds significant depth of flavor to this dish. Marinating the ribs in red wine overnight and then braising the ribs in a combination of wine and chicken broth with aromatics, creates a rich, savory meal. The meat shrinks a great deal so if you’re serving a crowd be sure to buy extra ribs. The result of 3 hours of braising is a tender, fall-off the bone delicious dish.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
- 5 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 4-6 large carrots peeled and chopped
- 4 celery stalks trimmed and chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves peeled and crushed
- 3-4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3-4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 cup chicken broth or water more, if needed
Instructions
- The day prior to cooking the ribs, combine the ribs and the wine in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight and rotate the ribs occasionally. Drain the ribs and reserve the marinade.
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large enamel cast-iron pot (Dutch oven), heat the olive oil. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the ribs on all sides until well browned, about 10-12 minutes. Take the time to do this as it will add tremendous flavor. Transfer the ribs to a plate.
- Add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic to the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the vegetables, stirring frequently, until softened and lightly browned. Return the ribs with the bone side up, to the pot and add the herbs. Turn the heat to high and add the wine marinade back into the pot. Boil it vigorously for about 3 minutes and let it reduce. Add the broth or water. The liquid should come about 3/4 of the way up the side of the ribs, but not cover them completely. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cover the pot. Transfer the pot to the oven and braise the meat for 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove the lid and continue cooking the ribs for another 30-45 minutes. The ribs should be fork-tender and nearly falling off the bone. Carefully transfer the ribs to a platter. Place the pan back on the stove and simmer the liquid for a few minutes. Skim as much fat off as you can. Adjust the seasoning and strain the liquid for a smooth sauce. I saved the carrots to serve with the ribs and they were delicious having braised in the fat for hours. If you refrigerate the meat and sauce overnight, it’s easy to skim the fat off the top. Re-heat the meat in the sauce.
- The day before cooking, place the short ribs and red wine in a large bowl or container. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning the ribs once or twice if possible. Remove the ribs from the wine and pat them very dry. Reserve the wine.Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear the ribs until deeply browned on all sides, about 10 to 12 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes.Return the short ribs to the pot and add the rosemary and thyme. Pour in the reserved wine and bring to a boil. Cook for about 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add enough beef broth for the liquid to reach about three-quarters of the way up the ribs. Do not completely submerge them.Bring to a simmer, cover and transfer to the oven. Braise for 1½ hours. Remove the lid and continue cooking for another 45 to 60 minutes, or until the meat is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone.Transfer the ribs and carrots to a serving platter. Discard the herb stems. Skim excess fat from the braising liquid and simmer on the stovetop until slightly reduced and rich enough to coat a spoon. Taste and adjust the seasoning. For a smoother sauce, strain before serving.
Short ribs are even better made a day ahead. Refrigerate the ribs in their braising liquid overnight, then lift off the hardened fat and gently reheat before serving.