Dark Chocolate and Stout Braised Ribs Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
5 hrs
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Total Time
5 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
796 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
North American
Dark Chocolate and Stout Braised Ribs Recipe
Description
Dark Chocolate and Stout Braised Ribs are prepared by first salting and broiling individual pork ribs to develop a golden surface. Vegetables including onion, carrot, celery, and smashed garlic are sautéed until caramelized, then blended with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and water to create a smooth base. This mixture is returned to the pot and combined with stout beer, brown sugar, fish sauce, espresso powder, and chopped dark chocolate. The ribs are then braised in this sauce until tender, allowing the chocolate and stout to meld with smoky and savory notes. This slow braising method yields ribs with a glossy, thick sauce coating and deep umami flavor.
Fish sauce deepens the savory notes without imparting a fishy taste, and the chipotle adds a gentle smoky heat. The chocolate lends richness and subtle bitterness, enhancing the complexity of the sauce without sweetness overpowering the dish.
Serve these ribs hot with the sauce spooned over, paired with starches like mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the flavorful braising liquid.
The ribs are broiled rather than seared in the pot to reduce kitchen mess and save time, though searing may slightly deepen the sauce flavor. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 racks pork ribs side
- 1 teaspoon salt sea salt
- 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1 medium onion roughly chopped
- 1 medium carrot roughly chopped
- 1 medium celery roughly chopped, stalk
- 1 head garlic peeled and cloves smashed with the side of your knife
- 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce
- 22 ounce beer gluten-free if needed, chocolate or espresso flavor, 650ml bottle
- ½ cup brown sugar loosely packed
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce see notes
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder or a shot of espresso
- 1 ½ ounces dark chocolate about 2 generous tablespoons, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional
- salt to taste, sea salt
- black pepper to taste, sea salt
Instructions
- Put the oven rack on the top shelf and preheat your oven to broil. Cut the racks into individual ribs and salt them on the meat side. Put them into a baking sheet and broil for 10-12 minutes, until they are golden. Remove them from the oven and turn the temperature down to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat the oil in a large braising pot on medium-high heat then add the onion. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes then add the carrot and celery. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are well-browned, about 7-8 minutes. Turn the heat down if needed. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Transfer the cooked veggies to your blender and add 2 cups of water, and the chipotles in adobo sauce. Blend on high until smooth then pour back into the braising pot. Add another ½ cup of water to your blender to clean it out then add this to the pot, too.
- Add the beer, brown sugar, fish sauce, espresso powder, and chocolate to the pot and heat the sauce until the chocolate melts. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Add the ribs to the pot, stacking them on end as best as you can. Put the lid on the pot and put it into your oven to braise for 4-5 hours.
- The ribs can easily be served directly from the pot. But if you'd like to thicken the sauce a little, remove the ribs from the pot, mix a little water into the cornstarch and add this to the pot. Stir the pot over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Fish sauce enriches the flavor but is not prominent; alternatively, use ¼ cup homemade prawn stock.
- Broiling ribs instead of pan-searing reduces mess and prep time, though searing in the pot can enhance sauce depth slightly.
- Adjust salt and pepper at the end of cooking to balance seasoning.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 796 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving = ⅛ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 796kcal | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 37g | 74% |
| Fat | 60g | 92% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 182mg | 61% |
| Sodium | 1230mg | 51% |
| Potassium | 650mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
| Vitamin A | 1282IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 63mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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