Beer Braised Short Ribs
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
1 hr
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
454 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Beer Braised Short Ribs
Description
This Beer Braised Short Ribs recipe starts with roasting garlic heads drizzled with olive oil, which softens the garlic and mellows its flavor. Short ribs are seared in a heavy pot to develop a browned crust, rendering fat that imparts richness to the dish. Yellow onions are browned after the ribs, building a savory base. The ribs and onions are then simmered with beer, juniper berries, dried marjoram, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, infusing the meat with complex, malty, and herbaceous notes. Slow braising in the oven ensures the ribs become tender and flavorful over time. The dish pairs well with hearty sides and offers a robust option for dinner when a deeply savory meal is desired.
Practical tips include roasting the garlic in advance to save time and selecting dark, malty beer styles to complement the meat. The recipe accounts for bone weight in portioning, and additional fats can be added during browning if using leaner meats.
Ingredients
- 2 heads garlic
- olive oil for drizzling
- 4 pounds short ribs
- salt
- 4 cups yellow onion sliced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 to 2 bottles beer see above for styles, dark, malty
- 1 tablespoon juniper berries (optional)
- 1 tablespoon dried marjoram or lovage
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Worcestershire sauce a splash
- black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the top third of the heads of garlic off. Set them in a foil packet. Drizzle some olive oil over the cut tops, then close up the packet. Pop into the oven for 1 hour. If this is the first thing you do, you will be mostly done chopping and browning things by the time it's ready.
- In a large Dutch oven or other heavy, lidded pot, sear the short ribs over medium-high heat, starting with the fattiest side down. This renders fat for browning everything else. If you are using elk or moose ribs, or your ribs aren't fatty, add some olive oil, lard, bacon fat or butter. Salt the ribs as they cook. Brown them well on every side except for the side that's just bone and membrane. Take your time and do this in batches if need be. Remove the browned ribs for now.
- When all the ribs are done, add the sliced onions, some salt, then brown them well. You might need to add more fat or oil. This step can take a solid 10+ minutes. When this is done, check the garlic to see if it has browned and softened. If not, wait until the garlic is ready before proceeding. Just turn the heat off the pot.
- When you are ready to add the garlic, squeeze it into the pot, stir and add the flour. Cook this over medium heat for a few minutes. Again, this step takes some time because you want the flour to brown. If you use Wondra flour you'll save a few minutes.
- Once the flour has browned, add some beer to the pot and use a wooden spoon to deglaze it. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring well, and then return the ribs to the pot. If the level of beer isn't up to the top of the ribs, add some water or stock. Cover the pot and put in the oven, which should still be hot from the garlic. Drop the heat to 300°F and simmer for at least 2 hours, and in some cases as much as four hours. (Five hours is not unheard of, but is rare.)
- When the ribs are tender, gently remove them to plates. Add salt and black pepper to taste, then spoon sauce over them. Serve with mashed potatoes or other root vegetables, bread or roasted root vegetables.
Notes
- Roast garlic heads in advance; they can be prepared up to a few days beforehand.
- When measuring ribs, account for bones as they constitute a significant portion of the weight.
- Use dark, malty beer varieties to enhance the braising liquid's flavor.
- Add extra fats like olive oil or bacon fat when searing leaner meats to prevent sticking and aid browning.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 454 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 454kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 44g | 88% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 130mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 205mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 995mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 33IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 69mg | 7% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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