Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Head to just about any restaurant nowadays and you'll see some variation of Dutch oven short ribs on the menu. Served over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta or comforting macaroni and cheese, braised short ribs are juicy, flavorful and fall-apart-tender when cooked properly. While they're not a 30-minute meal, short ribs are surprisingly simple to make. It just requires a little knowledge about Dutch ovens, braising basics and how to choose the best short ribs.
How to Choose the Best Short Ribs
Boneless? Flanken? English? If you've never purchased short ribs before, it can be difficult to know where to start and what to look for. While any of these options could be used for braising, English-style short ribs are most traditional for classic Dutch oven short rib recipes. They offer the most meat, plus the bone adds tons of flavor to the final product.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
When shopping for English-style short ribs, look for meaty ribs that are well-connected to the bone. The ribs should have ample, even fat marbled throughout with very little surface fat. If the ribs have a lot of surface fat, you can also trim it away at home. Just take care not to damage the connective tissue that adheres the meat to the bone.
Looking for a more affordable alternative? Short ribs come from the area of the cow between the chuck and ribs. Therefore, their flavor and texture is very similar to that of a classic chuck roast when cooked. An easy short-rib hack is to slice a chuck roast against the grain into long, short rib-like sections. Then braise just as you would the real thing.
The Basics of Braising
Braising is a combination of dry and moist cooking methods. It begins with searing the meat and then baking the meat in a shallow bath of liquid until tender. It's a method often used to cook tougher or chewier cuts of meat because it makes them super moist and tender. To master the art of braising, here are a few quick tips to ensure success:
Season Generously
A well-seasoned piece of meat is the first trick to a flavorful braised dinner. Before seasoning, pat your meat dry with paper towels and then season generously with salt, pepper and any other herbs and spices the recipe calls for.
Preheat Your Dutch Oven
To get a good sear on your meat, you'll want to make sure your Dutch oven($60) is nice and hot. Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat and add the meat when the oil begins to shimmer.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Sear Without Disruption
Now that the meat is in the pan, don't touch it. Moving the meat around will prevent that perfect crust from forming. Let each side cook for 2-3 minutes without disruption and only remove once the meat is nice and brown on all sides. Also, take care to not overcrowd the Dutch oven. Sear just two or three short ribs at a time for best results.
Always Saute the Vegetables
Some braising recipes call for you to add your vegetables to the pan with the cooking liquid at the same time. However, the best method is to actually saute any vegetables that are included in the recipe for a few minutes first. This allows the flavors of the vegetables to release slightly before cooking and really infuse the meat with extra flavor while braising.
Save the Flavor
See those brown little bits at the bottom of the pan? They're full of flavor that you want to save. Before returning the meat to the dutch oven, add a bit of the cooking liquid from your recipe to the pan. This is called deglazing. Use a wooden spoon to stir and gently loosen the bits and the bottom of the pan.
Shallow Is Best for Braising
It's important to remember that braising is not boiling. A common mistake with braising is fully covering the meat in liquid while cooking. You want to create a steam room—not a hot tub—in your Dutch oven. Adding too much liquid will prevent the meat from browning further in the oven and it will also impact the residual sauce that's left after cooking. For best results, leave about 50 percent of the meat exposed.
How to Make Braised Short Ribs
Now that you're a braising wizard, you're ready to cook the most delicious, tender short ribs you'll ever try at home.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds English-style beef short ribs
- 1 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 celery ribs, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup dry red wine or reduced-sodium beef broth
- 4-5 cups reduced-sodium beef broth, divided
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 fresh oregano sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Directions
Step 1: Season with salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 325° F and begin to warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven. While the Dutch oven preheats, pat the short ribs dry with a paper towel and then season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Step 2: Sear the short ribs
When the oil begins to shimmer, add the short ribs, two or three at a time, to the Dutch oven. Sear each side, undisturbed, for 2-3 minutes until a nice crust has formed and then turn. Repeat until all of the short ribs are brown on all sides. Transfer the short ribs to a plate and set aside.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Step 3: Saute the vegetables
Next, add the celery, carrots, red pepper, onion and garlic to the Dutch oven. Saute over medium heat until tender.
Step 4: Deglaze the Dutch oven
Pour the red wine over the vegetables to deglaze the pan. Use a spoon to gently loosen browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until liquid is reduced by half.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Step 5: Combine ingredients
Next, return the short ribs to the pan and add the rosemary, oregano and bay leaf. Then, pour the beef broth over the meat till submerged about halfway in liquid. Bring to a strong simmer.
Step 6: Braise in the oven
Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and then place it into your preheated oven. Braise the short ribs for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. When the meat is tender, remove the Dutch oven and transfer the short ribs and vegetables to a platter for serving. Tent with foil to keep warm.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Step 7: Finish the sauce
Next, reduce and thicken the cooking liquid into a sauce. Pour the remaining cooking liquid into a glass measuring cup. Skim the fat. If necessary, add some additional broth to the cooking liquid so you have 1 cup total. Then, in a small pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the flour and cook until a smooth roux forms.
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Begin to gradually whisk in the reserved cooking liquid and then bring it to a simmer. Continue to stir frequently until the mixture thickens then discard the herbs.
Transfer to a gravy boat and serve with the short ribs, vegetables and your choice of sides. We recommend deluxe mashed potatoes or this creamy polenta!
Find More Cozy Dutch Oven Recipes
Stout & Shiitake Pot Roast
Mushrooms, onions and a bottle of Guinness add excellent flavor to my pot roast. This one-dish wonder may taste even better the next day. —Madeleine Bessette, Coeur d Alene, Idaho
Skillet Chicken Stew
It's been 20 years now since I adapted this from a classic beef stew recipe. We like it so much that, in all that time, I have never changed any ingredients or amounts - unless it was to double them! Our home's on a river, and my husband, our three boys and I enjoy camping and boating. — Valerie Jordan, Kingmont, West Virginia
Learn how to make a Dutch oven chicken.
New England Bean & Bog Cassoulet
When I moved to New England, I embraced the local cuisine. My cassoulet with baked beans pays tribute to a French classic and to New England in one hearty, heartwarming dish. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Cazuela
I learned to make this dish while we were living in Chile for a few months. We grow extra butternut squash in our garden just for this recipe. —Louise Schmid, Marshall, Minnesota
Fire-Roasted Ziti with Sausage
We punch up our pasta with smoked sausage and fire-roasted tomato sauce. It's an easy recipe to switch up—use whatever noodles and spaghetti sauce are in your pantry. —Jean Komlos, Plymouth, Michigan
Hearty Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Garlic and herb cream cheese adds subtle notes of flavor to this creamy, hearty soup. On a chilly day, it's like having a bowlful of comfort food. —Shelisa Terry, Henderson, Nevada
Still hungry? Find more cozy Dutch oven soup recipes.
Spinach-Parm Casserole
For those who ignore Popeye and won't eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Chili for a Crowd
This chili for a crowd was handed down to me by my aunt, who said she got it from a "grizzled Montana mountain man." I added some zesty ingredients to come up with the final version. Hot food is something that my husband's family isn't accustomed to, so I adjust the spices for them. In fact, with a few simple alterations to the "heat" index, I can serve this chili to anyone. —Lisa Humphreys, Wasilla, Alaska
Chickpea Tortilla Soup
This vegan tortilla soup recipe is healthy, filling and family-friendly! We love how hearty and flavorful it is. We like to play around with the different toppings we add each time it's served. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Hearty Italian White Bean Soup
A bowlful of this soup is so satisfying, it's hard to believe it's actually good for you, too. I crave it all the time. With lots of beans and potatoes, it's filling and even hits the spot with meat lovers. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas
Lone Star Pot Roast
Pot roast becomes especially delicious with the addition of chopped green chilies and taco seasoning. —Helen Carpenter, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Grilled Chorizo and Shrimp Paella
This shrimp paella recipe is not only healthy but satisfying, too! It has vitamin C from the sweet red pepper, fiber from the rice, and lean protein from the chicken sausage. — Daniel Bartholomay, Fargo, North Dakota
Hearty Vegetarian Chili
Rich and flavorful, this chili is absolutely packed with fun veggies like mushrooms, beans and sun-dried tomatoes. It's so filling, you'll fool any meat lover. —Pam Ivbuls, Omaha, Nebraska
Land of Enchantment Posole
My family named this spicy soup after our state moniker, "New Mexico, Land of Enchantment." We usually make it around Christmas when we have lots of family over…and we never have leftovers. —Suzanne Caldwell Artesia, New Mexico
Rhubarbecue
This simmered sauce is a roller-coaster ride for your tongue. It's a wonderful blend of complex flavors that goes with any meat. — Rd Stendel-Freels, Albuquerque, New Mexico
One-Pot Spaghetti Dinner
Mamma mia! What's the secret to this one-pot spaghetti? A homemade jar sauce and a one-pot cooking method makes this family favorite recipe quick and delicious. —Carol Benzel-Schmidt, Stanwood, Washington
Veg Jambalaya
This flavorful entree uses convenient canned beans in place of the meat—and this food never leaves you hungry. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Slow-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew
My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me many 25 years ago. Ever since then, it's been a go-to whenever I need good food without a lot of fussing. —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona
Chicken & Broccoli Rabe Soup with Tortellini
With chicken, pasta and a bold tomato broth, this hearty and inviting soup is like a big comforting hug in a bowl! —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili
My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze your soup for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan
Short Rib Cobbler
This recipe was inspired by my family's love of two things—beef stew and biscuits. After years of making the two separately, I put the biscuits on top of the stew like a cobbler. This supper's as down-home as it gets. —Janine Talley, Orlando, Florida
Spicy Chicken Stew
When you're craving cozy Mexican flavors, try this spicy chicken and chickpea stew. It couldn't be easier to make—just round out the meal with a fresh tossed salad. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Empanada Beef Chili
While I lived in Mexico in the 1960s, a friend's mother gave me her grandmother's empanadas recipe. I've made it over the years and passed it down to my grandchildren. To shed some carbs, I converted the recipe into a chili. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Hearty Sausage Minestrone
As a teacher, I appreciate quick and easy recipes. If I make this for just my husband and me, we have leftovers for easy lunches. But when there are more people at the table, every bit is eaten. —Tami Stoudt, Evans, Colorado
Bavarian Pot Roast
Since all of my grandparents were German, it's no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio
Firehouse Chili
As one of the cooks at the firehouse, I used to prepare meals for 10 men. This firehouse chili recipe was among their favorites. —Richard Clements, San Dimas, California
Chicken and Dumplings
Perfect food for chilly winter nights, this main course is speedy, low in fat and a delicious one-dish meal. —Nancy Tuck, Elk Falls, Kansas
Lamb Stew
My grandmother used to make this stew as a special Sunday meal. It's an unforgettable Irish meal. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, North Carolina
Sicilian Mac & Cheese
To give our mac and cheese a Sicilian touch, we mix sausage, basil and fennel with three cheeses for an incredibly comforting casserole. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California
Turkey White Chili
Growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch area, I was surrounded by excellent cooks and wonderful foods. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes like this change-of-pace chili. —Kaye Whiteman, Charleston, West Virginia
Chicken and Andouille Gumbo
Gumbo goes back to 1700s Louisiana; today's version is just as hearty using andouille sausage. Serve with cornbread or crusty French bread. —Billy Hensley, Mount Carmel, Tennessee
Simple Italian Sausage Soup
"This is definitely a meal on its own. It smells so good while cooking. The men are always glad to walk in the door after work and see this on the stove." —Joan Oakland, Troy, Montana
Hearty Hunter's Stew
Moist, tender meat and thick, rich gravy are the hallmarks of this classic, slow-simmered cast-iron pot recipe. —Joyce Worsech, Catawba, Wisconsin
Pasta & Broccoli Sausage Simmer
I created this meal when trying to use up a large head of broccoli. My family requests it at least once a week, which is handy because we always have the ingredients. —Lisa Montgomery, Elmira, Ontario
Quinoa Turkey Chili
This heart-healthy turkey quinoa chili is not only tasty, it's a vitamin and protein powerhouse! —Sharon Giljum, San Diego, California
0 Response to "Recipe Beef Ribs Dutch Oven short"
Post a Comment