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Braised Short Ribs

This recipe for braised beef short ribs is the ultimate comfort food, delivering melt-in-the-mouth texture and a deep, savoury depth of flavour. By slowly simmering the beef in a rich base of dry red wine, tomatoes, and mushrooms, the meat becomes exceptionally tender while the cooking liquid transforms into a glossy, fragrant sauce. It is a wonderful high-protein dish that requires very little preparation, allowing the slow cooker to do all the hard work while the kitchen fills with a delicious aroma.

Perfect for a weekend lunch or a restorative midweek dinner, these ribs are best served in large bowls with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the juices. The addition of fresh garlic and bay leaves adds a classic herb note that balances the richness of the beef. This simple, one-pot method ensures a nutritious and hearty meal that feels much more indulgent than its straightforward preparation suggests.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Braised Short Ribs

  • 2.0kg 3-inch-long beef short ribs

  • Coarse kosher salt

  • 475ml dry red wine

  • 1 14.140g can diced tomatoes in juice

  • 1 170g package sliced button mushrooms

  • 80g finely chopped onion

  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled

  • 6 fresh Italian parsley sprigs

  • 2 bay leaves

  • Crusty bread

How to make Braised Short Ribs

Sprinkle ribs with coarse salt and pepper. Place in even layer in slow cooker. Add next 7 ingredients, cover, and cook on low heat until meat is tender, about 8 hours.

Using slotted spoon, transfer ribs to serving bowl. Discard parsley and bay leaves. Spoon fat off top of sauce and pour sauce over ribs. Serve with bread.

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.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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