Indulge in tender and flavorful beer-braised short ribs – a delectable dish that combines succulent beef with rich, hoppy notes. With each melt-in-your-mouth bite, you’ll savor the perfect blend of savory flavors infused by slow cooking these ribs in a hearty beer-based sauce. Get ready to elevate your dining experience with this irresistible comfort food favorite.
Beer Braised Short Ribs
These Beer Braised Short Ribs are the epitome of tender, juicy, and delicious ribs. The slow cooking method ensures that the meat literally falls off the bone, making every bite full of beefy richness and robust flavor. Building layers of flavor is key in this recipe, as the beer and beef broth slowly break down the fibers in the meat and create succulent, tender ribs. These ribs are perfect for impressing guests or for a special occasion.
To make these beer braised short ribs, start by seasoning the ribs with salt and pepper, then brown them in an oven-safe skillet. In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened. Add beer, beef broth, brown sugar, and tomato paste to the skillet and whisk to combine. Return the ribs to the pot along with a head of garlic and thyme sprigs. Cook for 5 hours, turning occasionally until the meat pulls away easily from the bone.
Once done cooking, remove the ribs from the sauce and strain off any excess grease. Serve these delicious short ribs with mashed potatoes or polenta, roasted vegetables or a side salad. The rich and hearty flavor of these ribs pairs perfectly with a nice bottle of wine as well.
Ingredients You Need
For the beer braised short ribs, you will need:
- Beef short ribs
- Onion, carrot, and celery
- Dark beer (such as brown ale, stout, or porter)
- Beef broth
- Brown sugar
- Tomato paste
- Garlic
- Oil for cooking
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
To serve with the ribs, you can also prepare mashed potatoes or polenta, roasted vegetables, or a side salad.
If desired, you can thicken the sauce by straining off the fat and adding a cornstarch slurry to create a rich jus.
Note: For additional flavor, you can add liquid smoke to the pan while cooking to give the ribs a smoky BBQ effect.
Thermapen ONE (read our review)
The Thermapen ONE is a highly accurate and reliable instant-read thermometer that is perfect for ensuring your beer-braised short ribs are cooked to perfection. With a read time of less than one second and an accuracy of ± 0.5°, you can trust that the temperature measurements will be precise. This is important when slow cooking the ribs, as you want to ensure they reach the optimal level of tenderness without overcooking.
The Thermapen ONE also features an auto-rotate display with motion-sensing technology, making it easy to read the temperature from any angle. The insanely long battery life of up to 2000 hours means you won’t have to worry about constantly replacing batteries during your cooking process.
With a 5-year warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing that the Thermapen ONE is built to last. Whether you’re a professional chef or an amateur cook, this thermometer is a must-have tool in your kitchen arsenal.
How to Make Beer Braised Short Ribs
To make beer braised short ribs, start by seasoning the ribs with salt and pepper. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add cooking oil. Brown the ribs on each side for 2-3 minutes, then remove them from the skillet.
In the same pot, add onions, carrots, and celery. Saute for 4-5 minutes or until the onions have softened. Add dark beer, beef broth, brown sugar, and tomato paste to the skillet. Whisk to combine and remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add the ribs back into the pot along with a head of garlic nestled into it and thyme sprigs. Cook the ribs for 5 hours, turning them 2-3 times throughout cooking. When done, the meat will easily pull away from the bone.
Remove the ribs from the sauce and strain off any grease on top of the sauce. Serve these delicious beer-braised short ribs with mashed potatoes or polenta, roasted vegetables or a side salad. Don’t forget to pair it with a nice bottle of wine!
How to Serve it
To serve these beer-braised short ribs, you can pair them with mashed potatoes or polenta to soak up the rich sauce. Roasted vegetables or a side salad would also be a great complement to the hearty ribs. Since the dish itself is quite rich, you don’t need a lot on the side for a full meal.
When serving this dish to guests, it’s a good idea to have a nice bottle of wine on hand to enhance the flavors of the ribs. The robust and beefy flavors of the dish pair well with red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec.
If you’re making this recipe in advance, it’s actually better to do so because the flavors will continue to develop in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve them, simply reheat the dish in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.
Overall, these beer-braised short ribs are a delicious and impressive dish that will satisfy any meat lover. The slow cooking process ensures tender and succulent meat that falls off the bone, while the beer and beef broth create layers of rich flavor. Whether enjoyed as a weeknight dinner or served at a special gathering, these ribs are sure to impress.
How to Serve It
These beer-braised short ribs are best served with mashed potatoes or polenta, roasted vegetables, or a side salad. Since the ribs themselves are rich and hearty, you don’t need much else for a complete meal. Pair it with a nice bottle of wine to complement the flavors.
If you have any leftover sauce from cooking the ribs, you can strain off any grease and use it to make a thick gravy or jus. Simply add a cornstarch slurry to the sauce and cook until it thickens. This will create a rich and glossy sauce that can be drizzled over the ribs or used as a dipping sauce.
Another option is to serve the beer-braised short ribs in a sandwich. Once the meat has fallen off the bone, shred it and pile it onto a roll or bun. Add some coleslaw or pickles for added texture and flavor.
In conclusion, beer braised short ribs offer a succulent and flavorful dining experience. The slow cooking process allows the meat to become tender and juicy, while the addition of beer enhances the overall taste. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite sides, this dish is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
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