Braised Short Ribs in the Oven Recipe

Dark brown braised short ribs with sauce in a serving bowl, mashed potatoes in a bowl to the side

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 2 hrs 45 mins
Total: 3 hrs
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Yield: 4 portions

Tender, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs make a fabulous meal, and the preparation for these oven-braised ribs is nearly effortless. You'll have to stick around for a few extra minutes to turn them as they brown, but once that is done, all you have to do is add the remaining ingredients and braise them to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

The short ribs are flavored with ingredients you likely have on hand, and it takes just minutes to get everything together. And cleanup is a breeze because all of the cooking is done in one large Dutch oven. Whether you're making a meal for your family or guests, you can't go wrong with beef short ribs. Serve with mashed potatoes and a salad or vegetable side dish.

Short ribs can vary in meatiness and size. There are two common cuts of bone-in short ribs. English and Flanken. English-style short ribs contain one bone and might be 2 inches to 4 inches in length. Flanken-style are cut into strips across several ribs and are generally much thinner. For best results for this recipe, use the meatier English short ribs.

"Braised short ribs have become a favorite in my kitchen and this recipe is for sure a crowd-pleaser! Even though the ingredient list is simple, the flavors of this dish are very complex! I recommend using Merlot red wine because it compliments the aromatics, herbs, and umami flavor of the Worcestershire sauce!" —Kiana Rollins

Braised Short Ribs / Tester image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth, more as needed

  • 1 cup dry red wine, or more beef broth

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 3 sprigs thyme, or 2 sprigs rosemary, more leaves for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for braised short ribs recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350 F.

    Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Season generously all over with salt and pepper.

    Short ribs seasoned with salt and pepper on a wooden cutting board

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot on medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the ribs, in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan, and sear on all sides until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

    Browned short ribs in a Dutch oven on a burner

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Remove the ribs to a plate as they become brown. Add the onion and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    Onions in a Dutch oven being stirred with a wooden spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Return the ribs to the pot along with any accumulated juices from the plate. Add the beef broth, wine, Worcestershire, and thyme sprigs. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil.

    Short ribs, beef broth, condiments, and thyme sprigs in a Dutch oven

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Cover, transfer to the oven, and continue to cook, undisturbed until the meat is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Check the meat after 2 hours. If there is too much liquid, return to the oven and continue to cook uncovered, until the meat is fork-tender.

    If most of the liquid has evaporated, add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of boiling beef broth or a combination of broth and red wine, return to the oven and continue to cook, uncovered until the meat is fork-tender.

    Braised short ribs in thick deep brown liquid in a Dutch oven

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Transfer the ribs to a large serving bowl. Pour the broth into a gravy separator. Discard the excess fat. Adjust the seasoning of the remaining liquid with salt and pepper to taste.

    Braised short ribs on a plate and degreased braising liquid in a glass measuring cup

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  8. Pour the liquid over the short ribs, garnish with fresh thyme leaves, and serve.

    Braised short ribs in a serving bowl with sauce

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Recipe Variations

  • Replace the bone-in short ribs with boneless short ribs. Brown them and cook for slightly less time or until very tender.
  • A mirepoix is another great way to add flavor to the short ribs. Dice a carrot and a rib or two of celery and add them to the pan along with the onion and garlic.
  • The slow cooker is an excellent option for beef short ribs. Brown the ribs and lightly cook the onions and garlic as directed, then combine everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until they are tender.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Refrigerate leftover short ribs with their cooking liquid in an airtight container within 2 hours and eat them within four days.
  • You may freeze beef short ribs for longer storage. Put the ribs and cooking liquid in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag and freeze them for two to three months (for best quality). Make sure you label the container or bag with the name and date.

What is the difference between beef spare ribs and short ribs?

Beef spare ribs are also known as beef back ribs. They are taken from the animal's rib section and are a popular choice for barbecue. The short ribs are taken from the chuck or plate.

How do you know when short ribs are done?

When done, the meat will be very tender and falling away from the bone. It isn't easy to overcook short ribs, but if they are more tender than you like, use the shredded meat and use in sandwiches or tacos.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
785 Calories
56g Fat
4g Carbs
59g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 785
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 56g 72%
Saturated Fat 23g 116%
Cholesterol 227mg 76%
Sodium 540mg 23%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 59g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 50mg 4%
Iron 7mg 37%
Potassium 673mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)