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Braised Beef Short Ribs

These slow-braised beef short ribs are the ultimate in comforting, sophisticated dining. By cooking the beef at a low temperature for several hours, the meat becomes exceptionally tender, falling away from the bone into a rich, savoury red wine and tomato sauce. This method allows the deep flavours of the thyme, bay leaf and balsamic vinegar to permeate the beef, creating a restaurant-quality dish that is surprisingly easy to achieve at home.

As part of a diabetes-friendly diet, this recipe focuses on high-quality protein and nutrient-dense vegetables like carrots and mushrooms. The use of a clear veal stock and a reduction technique provides a luxurious mouthfeel without the need for heavy starches. Serve this heart-healthy main course with a side of steamed greens for a balanced, low-carbohydrate dinner that feels truly indulgent.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Braised Beef Short Ribs

  • 4 (230g) pieces bone-in beef short ribs

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 3/4 teaspoons fine sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

  • 4 medium carrots, finely chopped

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 (400g) can whole San Marzano tomatoes in juice, puréed in a blender with juice

  • 350ml dry red wine

  • 950ml brown veal stock or 120ml Demi-Glace Gold concentrate (concentrate requires a dilution ratio of 1:8

  • 120ml concentrate to 950ml water)

  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme

  • 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

  • 1 tablespoon Banyuls vinegar or red-wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • 20 pearl onions (140g)

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon Banyuls vinegar or red-wine vinegar

  • 475ml chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth (16 fluid ounces)

  • 4 medium carrots, cut diagonally into 1 1/2-inch pieces

  • 3 thick bacon slices (preferably applewood-smoked

  • 110g total), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces

  • 8 medium fresh white mushrooms, trimmed and quartered lengthwise

How to make Braised Beef Short Ribs

Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 121°C.

Pat beef dry. Heat oil in a wide (12 inches in diameter) 3- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown beef on all sides, turning with tongs, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoons sea salt and 1/4 teaspoons pepper.

Add chopped carrots, onion, and garlic to oil in pot and cook over moderate heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 240ml puréed tomatoes (reserve remainder for another use) and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Add wine and boil, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened, about 8 minutes.

Add veal stock, thyme, bay leaf, vinegars, and remaining 1/2 teaspoons sea salt and 1/4 teaspoons pepper to sauce, and bring to a simmer. Skim fat from surface, then add beef along with any juices accumulated on plate and cover pot with a tight-fitting lid. Transfer to oven and braise until beef is very tender, 4 to 5 hours.

Blanch pearl onions in a wide 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan of boiling water 1 minute, then drain in a sieve. When just cool enough to handle, peel onions with a paring knife, trimming root end just enough to leave onions intact.

Heat butter in dried saucepan over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook onions, stirring occasionally, until brown spots appear, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar, then add chicken stock and carrots and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Uncover and boil, if necessary, until liquid glazes vegetables.

While vegetables are simmering, cook bacon in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until mushrooms are tender and bacon is browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to vegetables in saucepan.

Transfer a short rib to each of 4 soup plates and keep warm in oven. Pour sauce through a medium-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids, then skim fat from sauce. Boil sauce, if necessary, until thickened and reduced to about 450g . Season with salt and pepper. Add about 475ml sauce to vegetables (reserve remaining sauce for another use), then spoon mixture around short ribs.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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