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Tender Slow Cooker Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs

slow cooker red wine braised beef short ribs - featured image
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This slow cooker recipe delivers tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef short ribs braised in red wine and aromatics, perfect for an effortless yet impressive dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
  • 1 cup red wine (medium-bodied dry, e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 large onion, sliced thin
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons flour (optional, for dredging)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef short ribs dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Optionally, dredge each rib in flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ribs on all sides until deep golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Work in batches if needed. Transfer browned ribs to a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste; cook for another 1-2 minutes until the paste darkens slightly.
  4. Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and mellow the alcohol.
  5. Place the browned ribs in the slow cooker. Pour the wine and vegetable mixture over the ribs. Add beef broth, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and falling off the bone.
  7. Carefully remove ribs and keep warm. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. For a thicker sauce, transfer the braising liquid to a saucepan and simmer until reduced to your liking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve ribs with sauce spooned generously over top. Pair with creamy mashed potatoes, polenta, or your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For more intense flavor, marinate ribs in red wine and herbs overnight before cooking. Browning the ribs well is worth the extra time for a deep savory crust. Use quality dry red wine you enjoy drinking. To thicken sauce, simmer braising liquid or stir in a cornstarch slurry. For gluten-free, omit or replace flour with gluten-free alternatives. Alcohol can be substituted with beef broth and balsamic vinegar or grape juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, red wine, braised beef short ribs, comfort food, easy dinner, crockpot ribs, tender beef, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/tender-slow-cooker-red-wine-braised-beef-short-ribs-recipe-for-perfect-dinner-ideas/