Savory Beef Short Ribs With Gravy

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 08/02/19
Braised beef short ribs

bhofack2/Getty Images 
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 3 hrs 12 mins
Total: 3 hrs 32 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

 These tender, delicious short ribs just can't be beaten for a hearty, satisfying, and impressive meal. In this recipe, the beef short ribs are seared and then braised with a variety of vegetables. Serve them with the wonderful, rich gravy and mashed potatoes.

The number of servings depends on how meaty the short ribs are. Generally, count on about 1 pound per person. If short and very meaty, 1/2 to 3/4 pound per person should be sufficient.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
  • 1 large onion (halved and sliced)
  • 2 medium carrots (diced)
  • 2 ribs celery (diced)
  • 1 large clove garlic (minced)
  • 2 cups dry red wine (such as a cabernet or pinot noir)
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 4 to 5 pounds beef short ribs (bone-in)
  • Dash of salt and pepper
  • Several thyme sprigs or 1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
  • For the Gravy:
  • 5 tablespoons butter or skimmed fat from the broth
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon gravy browning sauce (optional)

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 300 F.

  2. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil.

  3. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Add the carrots and celery and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.

  4. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Remove the vegetables to a plate and set aside. 

  5. Sprinkle the short ribs with salt and pepper.

  6. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pot and increase to medium-high.

  7. Add the short ribs and sear, turning, until browned on all sides. Remove the short ribs and set aside.

  8. Add the red wine to the pot and bring to a boil. Boil for about 4 to 6 minutes, until reduced by about one-third. Add the beef broth to the pot.  

  9. Arrange the short ribs in the broth and wine mixture and top with the cooked vegetables.

  10. Add the thyme sprigs.

  11. Cover and move the Dutch oven to the preheated oven. Cook for 3 hours, or until the meat is very tender, almost falling off the bone. 

  12. Remove the meat and vegetables to a platter with a slotted spoon; keep warm. 

  13. Skim the fat from the broth. Reserve the fat if you will be using it to make the gravy. You will have about 3 cups of broth. 

  14. In the Dutch oven, heat 5 tablespoons of butter or skimmed fat over medium-low heat.

  15. Add the 1/3 cup of flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes.

  16. Add the broth mixture and cook, stirring, until thickened. If desired, stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of gravy browning sauce, such as Gravy Master or Kitchen Bouquet to darken the gravy. Taste and adjust seasonings. 

  17. Serve the short ribs with the gravy and potatoes or noodles.