When I first made these Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs, I was blown away by how incredible the flavors turned out. The rich red wine, paired with sweet-tart cranberries and tender, fall-off-the-bone beef, creates a dish that feels restaurant-quality. After serving this to my family on a chilly evening, it quickly became one of our winter go-to meals.
The best part? Despite tasting gourmet, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare. I love how everything comes together in one pot, making cleanup as easy as the recipe itself. Trust me, this dish is a showstopper, whether it’s for a weeknight or a festive dinner party. Get ready to impress your guests (or yourself) with minimal effort!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Want more reasons to try it? Here’s why these short ribs will win you over:
1. Perfectly Easy to Make
Once you’ve quickly seared the short ribs, you just toss everything into a single pot or slow cooker. It’s a hands-off meal that only gets better the longer it cooks.
2. Bursting with Unique Flavors
The combination of red wine, cranberries, and fresh herbs takes comfort food to another level. The tart cranberries balance the hearty richness of the beef, making every bite unforgettable.
3. Versatile Cooking Options
Whether you prefer a slow cooker or an oven, this recipe works beautifully both ways. You can adapt it to fit your equipment and schedule.
4. Crowd-Pleasing and Impressive
This recipe looks and tastes like something you’d get in a fine-dining restaurant. Pair it with mashed potatoes, and it’s a dish guaranteed to wow anyone at the table.
5. Perfect for Special Gatherings or Cozy Nights
Whether it’s for a holiday meal or a quiet night at home, these braised short ribs bring warmth, comfort, and joy, especially when served on chilly evenings.
Cooking Time
Here’s an overview of how long you’ll need to make this fantastic dish:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 6 hours (slow cooker) or 3 hours (oven)
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes (slow cooker)
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make those bold, beautiful flavors come to life:
- Bone-in beef short ribs
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Shallots
- Carrots
- Dry red wine
- Low-sodium beef broth
- Tomato paste
- Brown sugar or honey
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh rosemary
- Bay leaves
- Fresh cranberries
- Mashed potatoes (for serving)
Variations
You can easily adapt this recipe to suit different preferences or dietary needs.
- Dairy-Free: No need to make any swaps unless you’re serving this with dairy-based mashed potatoes. Use a plant-based version instead!
- Sugar-Free: Replace the brown sugar or honey with a sugar substitute like maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener.
- Flavor Enhancers: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar for an extra layer of depth or a pinch of chili flakes for gentle heat.
Equipment You Need
Be prepared with the right tools for smooth cooking!
- Large oven-safe skillet: For searing the ribs, which intensifies the flavor.
- Slow cooker or Dutch oven: Depending on how you prefer to cook the dish.
- Tongs: Perfect for flipping and transferring the short ribs.
- Mixing spoon: To stir ingredients together evenly.
How to Make Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs?
Get ready to create the coziest meal. Follow these simple steps for foolproof short ribs 💡🍷🍴!
Step 1: Sear the Ribs
Start by seasoning your short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet until shimmering hot. Sear the ribs on all sides until golden brown. This step may be messy, but the browned crust adds SO much flavor later!
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Pot
Once seared, transfer the ribs to your slow cooker or Dutch oven. Add onions, shallots, and carrots as the base. Then pour in the red wine, beef broth, and stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, and your herbs (thyme, rosemary, bay leaves). 🍋🌿
Step 3: Begin the Braise
Set your slow cooker to “low” or preheat your oven to 325°F. Cover the pot and cook for hours until the ribs are fork-tender. The aroma that fills your kitchen? Absolutely delicious!
Step 4: Add Cranberries
Two hours before the ribs finish cooking, toss in fresh cranberries. They’ll lightly burst and infuse the dish with their sweet-tart essence. Doesn’t that sound amazing? 🍒✨
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the herb sprigs and bay leaves before serving. To complete the masterpiece, serve these tender ribs over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with the rich sauce. The result is hearty, flavorful, and unforgettable! ❤️
Tips for Making the Recipe
Keep these tips in mind for the best outcome every time:
- Sear for Flavor: Don’t skip the searing step! This locks in the juices and creates a caramelized crust.
- Go Low and Slow: For tender, unforgettable short ribs, cook them low and slow. Be patient—it’s worth it!
- Use Good Red Wine: The wine flavor is prominent, so pick a dry red that you’d actually enjoy drinking, like a Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Add the Cranberries Late: To avoid mushy cranberries, add them toward the last couple of hours of cooking.
How to Serve Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs?
This dish is best served over creamy mashed potatoes to catch all that rich sauce. You could also serve it with risotto, polenta, or even buttered noodles for variety. Garnish with fresh rosemary for an extra touch of elegance. And if you’re entertaining, plate everything on a large serving platter for a dramatic presentation. ✨
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick breakdown of the nutritional value per serving (approximate):
- Calories: 1446
- Protein: 85g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 111g
Make Ahead and Storage
You can definitely make this recipe ahead of time, and the flavors even deepen overnight.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, store the ribs and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat them in the oven on low heat.
- Freezing: The short ribs freeze beautifully! Just make sure to store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat gently to prevent overcooking the meat.
This Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs dish not only satisfies your comfort food cravings but elevates any meal into something unforgettable. Give it a try and prepare to marvel at how a humble one-pot recipe creates such big, bold flavors. Bon appétit!
Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs Recipe
When I first made these Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs, I was blown away by how incredible the flavors turned out. The rich red wine, paired with sweet-tart cranberries and tender, fall-off-the-bone beef, creates a dish that feels restaurant-quality. After serving this to my family on a chilly evening, it quickly became one of our winter go-to meals.
Ingredients
- Bone-in beef short ribs
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Shallots
- Carrots
- Dry red wine
- Low-sodium beef broth
- Tomato paste
- Brown sugar or honey
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh rosemary
- Bay leaves
- Fresh cranberries
- Mashed potatoes (for serving)
Instructions
- Start by seasoning your short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet until shimmering hot. Sear the ribs on all sides until golden brown. This step may be messy, but the browned crust adds SO much flavor later!
- Once seared, transfer the ribs to your slow cooker or Dutch oven. Add onions, shallots, and carrots as the base. Then pour in the red wine, beef broth, and stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, and your herbs (thyme, rosemary, bay leaves). 🍋🌿
- Set your slow cooker to “low” or preheat your oven to 325°F. Cover the pot and cook for hours until the ribs are fork-tender. The aroma that fills your kitchen? Absolutely delicious!
- Two hours before the ribs finish cooking, toss in fresh cranberries. They’ll lightly burst and infuse the dish with their sweet-tart essence. Doesn’t that sound amazing? 🍒✨
- Remove the herb sprigs and bay leaves before serving. To complete the masterpiece, serve these tender ribs over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with the rich sauce. The result is hearty, flavorful, and unforgettable! ❤️
Notes
- Sear for Flavor: Don’t skip the searing step! This locks in the juices and creates a caramelized crust.
- Go Low and Slow: For tender, unforgettable short ribs, cook them low and slow. Be patient—it’s worth it!
- Use Good Red Wine: The wine flavor is prominent, so pick a dry red that you’d actually enjoy drinking, like a Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Add the Cranberries Late: To avoid mushy cranberries, add them toward the last couple of hours of cooking.
