Description
Indulge in incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs, slowly braised in a rich sauce with creamy butter beans and wilted spinach for a comforting, hearty meal.
Ingredients
6-8 bone-in beef short ribs (about 3-4 lbs total)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry red wine (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 (15 oz) can butter beans (lima beans), rinsed and drained
5 oz fresh spinach
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Pat the short ribs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides until deeply browned, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove ribs from the pot and set aside.
Step 3: Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Bring to a simmer and cook until the wine has reduced by about half, about 5 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Return the seared short ribs to the pot, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
Step 6: Cover the Dutch oven tightly with a lid and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C). Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the short ribs are fork-tender and easily pull away from the bone.
Step 7: Carefully remove the pot from the oven. Remove the short ribs and set aside. Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the braising liquid. Remove and discard the herb sprigs and bay leaves.
Step 8: Return the pot to the stovetop over medium heat. Stir in the rinsed and drained butter beans. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the beans to warm through and absorb some of the sauce.
Step 9: Return the short ribs to the pot. Add the fresh spinach, stirring gently until it wilts, which should only take 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Step 10: Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
For the best flavor, sear your short ribs thoroughly to build a deep crust. Don't rush the braising process; the low and slow cooking is key to tender meat. This dish is excellent made a day ahead, allowing the flavors to meld even further; simply reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 short rib with beans and spinach
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 120mg