Garlic Braised Short Ribs Recipe

This garlic braised short ribs recipe is built for cold nights and for anyone who loves rich, deeply layered flavor. Bone-in beef short ribs are seared until browned, then oven-braised low and slow with garlic, red wine, stock, tomato paste, and fresh herbs until perfectly fork-tender.

These red wine braised short ribs deliver everything people love about comfort food: rich beef flavor, a velvety braising sauce, and tender meat that practically falls apart with a spoon.

Whether you are planning a weekend dinner, entertaining guests, or serving a special cold-weather meal, this is the kind of recipe worth making again and again.

 

Slow Braised Short Ribs with Garlic and Red Wine

Category: Braise
Cuisine: American
Author: Blackberry Ridge Farms
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours

Perfect for weekends, entertaining, and cozy dinners, these slow braised short ribs combine garlic, aromatics, herbs, and red wine. Together, these ingredients create a rich, Dutch oven short ribs braise with deep flavor and an incredibly tender finish.

 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 5 pounds bone-in short ribs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 large heads garlic, halved crosswise
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 ribs celery
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot work well)
• 2 cups beef stock or bone broth (bone broth adds extra richness)
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 1 cup parsley, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup finely chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

Using bone-in short ribs helps create a richer braising liquid while keeping the meat moist during the long cook time. Garlic, tomato paste, herbs, and red wine build the deep flavor base that makes these braised beef short ribs especially comforting.

 

Build the Braise Step by Step

1. Preheat the oven to 275°F.
2. Sear the short ribs.
   Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Brown on all sides until deeply caramelized, then remove and set aside.
3. Build the aromatics.
   Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and cook until lightly golden. Stir in onion, celery, and carrots. Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook until softened. Add tomato paste and cook until caramelized and fragrant.
4. Deglaze with red wine.
   Pour in the red wine and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in beef stock and thyme.
5. Braise the short ribs.
   Return the short ribs to the Dutch oven so they are barely submerged in the liquid. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven.
6. Cook low and slow for 3½ to 4 hours.
   The short ribs are done when the meat is deeply tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. This low-and-slow method is the key to truly tender short ribs.
7. Finish and serve.
   Remove the short ribs from the pot. Skim excess fat if desired, then simmer the sauce briefly to reduce. Spoon the sauce over the ribs and then top with parsley, chives, and lemon zest.

 

Key Steps for Fall-Apart Tender Short Ribs

Brown the meat well first.

Deep searing creates the rich flavor foundation that makes Dutch oven short ribs taste slow-cooked and savory.

Cook low and slow.

If you are learning how to braise short ribs, patience matters. Keep the oven temperature low so the connective tissue has time to fully break down.

Make them ahead if needed.

This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to rest and deepen.

 

What to Spoon Alongside the Sauce

The rich garlic and red wine sauce pairs best with sides that can soak up every spoonful.

• Creamy mashed potatoes or soft polenta
• Roasted carrots, mushrooms, or root vegetables
• Crusty bread for serving alongside the braising sauce

For a full dinner spread, these short ribs with red wine also pair beautifully with seasonal vegetables and hearty comfort-food sides.

 

A Cold-Weather Dinner Worth Making Again

Few dishes deliver the same kind of rich comfort as garlic braised short ribs slowly cooked in red wine, stock, garlic, and herbs. The result is deeply flavorful beef with a tender texture and a sauce that feels made for cold evenings, slow weekends, and gathering around the table.

If you are ready to cook with high-quality beef at home, explore our selection of exceptional beef cuts, including richly marbled American Wagyu beef, curated American Wagyu beef steak bundles, flavorful multi-protein combo boxes, and seasonal top gifts.