Braised Beef Short Ribs with Carrots

 Description

Braised beef short ribs with carrots is a rich, comforting dish where bone-in beef ribs are slow-cooked in a flavorful liquid until tender and fall-off-the-bone soft. The carrots absorb the deep, savory flavors of the sauce, creating a hearty, low-carb-friendly meal perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions.

 Ingredients

For the ribs:

• 2–3 lbs (1–1.5 kg) beef short ribs
• Salt & black pepper (to taste)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the braising base:

• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2–3 carrots (cut into chunks)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional, can substitute broth)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste

Herbs & seasoning:

• 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep & season

• Pat ribs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.

2. Sear the ribs

• Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven.
• Sear ribs on all sides until browned (about 3–4 minutes per side).
• Remove and set aside.

3. Build flavor

• In the same pot, sauté onions until soft.
• Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.

4. Deglaze

• Pour in red wine (if using) and scrape up browned bits.
• Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.

5. Add liquids & herbs

• Add beef broth, thyme, bay leaf, and paprika.
• Return ribs to the pot.
• Add carrots around the ribs.

6. Braise

• Cover and cook in oven at 325°F (160°C) for 2.5–3 hours, or until tender.

7. Finish

• Remove bay leaf.
• Skim excess fat if desired.
• Serve ribs with sauce and carrots.

Servings

• Serves: 4 people

 Time

• Prep: 15 minutes
• Cook: 2.5–3 hours
• Total: ~3 hours

Notes

• Bone-in ribs give the best flavor due to marrow and collagen.
• Low, slow cooking is key for tenderness.
• The sauce thickens naturally as collagen breaks down.

Tips

• Use a Dutch oven for best heat distribution
• Brown ribs well — this builds deep flavor
• Let the dish rest 10–15 minutes before serving
• Make it a day ahead — flavor improves overnight

 Nutritional Info (Approx. per serving)

• Calories: ~520 kcal
• Protein: ~35 g
• Fat: ~38 g
• Carbs: ~6–8 g
• Fiber: ~2 g

(Values vary depending on ingredients used)

Health Benefits

• High in protein → supports muscle repair
• Rich in collagen → beneficial for joints & skin
• Iron & B vitamins → supports energy levels
• Low-carb friendly → suitable for keto-style diets

 Q&A

Q1: Can I make this without wine?

Yes! Just replace wine with extra beef broth.

Q2: Can I cook it faster?

You can use a pressure cooker (about 45–50 minutes), but slow braising gives better flavor.

Q3: Can I use boneless ribs?

Yes, but bone-in gives richer taste.

Q4: How do I store leftovers?

• Refrigerate: up to 4 days
• Freeze: up to 3 months

Q5: Why are my ribs tough?

They likely need more time — keep cooking until they’re fork-tender.