Braised Short Ribs

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Tom Colicchio's braised short ribs are meltingly tender and marinated in red wine for a rich sauce. They're fabulous over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.

Active Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
11 hrs
Yield:
6 servings

Chef Tom Colicchio is an expert with meat, and his tender, succulent braised short ribs are much in demand at his Craft restaurants in New York and Los Angeles. He marinates the short ribs along with vegetables in wine, then braises the ribs with fresh vegetables. At home, use the same vegetables in the marinade and the braise.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

  • 6 flanken-style short ribs with bones, cut 2-inches thick (about 4 pounds); see Note

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped

  • 2 carrots, sliced

  • 3 celery ribs, sliced

  • 3 garlic cloves, thickly sliced

  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon

  • 4 thyme sprigs

  • 3 cups chicken stock

Directions

  1. Ingredients to make braised short ribs

    Diana Chistruga

    Gather the ingredients.

  2. A large skillet with browned short ribs

    Diana Chistruga

    In a large skillet, heat the oil. Season the ribs with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, turning once, until browned and crusty, about 18 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a shallow baking dish in a single layer.

  3. A large skillet with sliced carrots, sliced celery, chopped onion, and chopped garlic

    Diana Chistruga

    Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the skillet and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until very soft and lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

  4. A skillet with carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme sprigs, and red wine

    Diana Chistruga

    Add the wine and thyme sprigs and bring to a boil over high heat.

  5. A dish with browned short ribs in a red wine sauce

    Diana Chistruga

    Pour the hot marinade over the ribs and let cool. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning the ribs once.

  6. A large dutch oven with browned short ribs, red wine-vegetable marinade, and chicken stock

    Diana Chistruga

    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Transfer the ribs and marinade to a large, enameled cast-iron casserole. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.

  7. A large dutch oven with short ribs in a reduced red wine sauce

    Diana Chistruga

    Cover and cook in the lower third of the oven for 1 1/2 hours, until the meat is tender but not falling apart. Uncover and braise for 45 minutes longer, turning the ribs once or twice, until the sauce is reduced by about half and the meat is very tender.

  8. A red wine sauce in a glass measuring cup

    Diana Chistruga

    Transfer the meat to a clean shallow baking dish, discarding the bones as they fall off. Strain the sauce into a heatproof measuring cup and skim off as much fat as possible.

  9. A baking dish with short ribs in a reduced, strainer red wine sauce

    Diana Chistruga

    Pour the sauce over the meat; there should be about 2 cups.

  10. A baking dish with braised short ribs in a red wine sauce

    Diana Chistruga

    Preheat the broiler. Broil the meat, turning once or twice, until glazed and sizzling, about 10 minutes. Transfer the meat to plates, spoon the sauce on top, and serve.

A serving of braised short ribs served over mashed potatoes

Diana Chistruga

Make ahead

The braised short ribs can be prepared through Step 4 and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Note

Flanken-style short ribs (short ribs cut across the bones instead of parallel to them) can be ordered at butcher shops.

Serve with

Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or crusty bread.

Suggested pairing

Robust Spanish red

Originally appeared: July 2008

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