Craving something hearty, flavorful, and irresistibly tender? Look no further than homemade short ribs — the ultimate comfort dish that’s easier to make than you think! Whether you’re preparing a cozy dinner for the family or a special weekend meal, this homemade short ribs recipe in minutes delivers melt-in-your-mouth goodness without hours of stress in the kitchen.
With a few pantry staples, a good sear, and a quick simmer, you can create short ribs that taste like they’ve been slow-cooked all day. Let’s dive into this foolproof recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds! 🍽️
🥩 What Are Short Ribs?
Short ribs are a flavorful cut of beef that come from the rib section. They’re known for their rich marbling, which gives them that juicy, tender texture when cooked properly. You can find them:
Bone-in: more flavor and perfect for braising.
Boneless: quicker to cook and easier to serve.
Either way, they’re perfect for this easy homemade short ribs recipe!
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make these delicious ribs right at home:
🥩 Main Ingredients
2 ½ lbs beef short ribs (bone-in or boneless)
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup beef broth (or red wine for extra flavor)
1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for depth)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary
🍷 Optional: For an even richer taste, use half beef broth and half dry red wine.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make homemade short ribs in minutes — tender, juicy, and full of flavor:
Step 1: Prep the Ribs
Pat your short ribs dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt, pepper, and a little paprika. This ensures a flavorful crust when searing.
Step 2: Sear for Flavor
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the short ribs and sear on each side for 2–3 minutes until browned.
Remove them from the pan and set aside.
💡 Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan — sear in batches if needed to get that perfect golden crust!
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same pan, add onion, garlic, and carrots.
Cook for 3–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute — this adds a rich, savory base.
Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in your beef broth (or red wine) to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those flavorful bits stuck at the bottom.
Add soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, and toss in your herbs.
Return the seared short ribs to the pan, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Let them simmer gently for 30–40 minutes, turning occasionally until the meat is tender and coated in a rich sauce.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the sauce thickens and the meat is fork-tender, your homemade short ribs are ready to serve!
Taste and adjust seasoning — a touch of salt or a splash of lemon juice can brighten the flavors beautifully.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair your short ribs with these classic sides for a restaurant-worthy meal:
🥔 Mashed Potatoes: Creamy potatoes perfectly soak up the rich sauce.
🥕 Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans balance the richness.
🍚 Steamed Rice: Simple and comforting.
🍞 Crusty Bread: Perfect for mopping up every drop of the delicious gravy.
🥄 Pro Tip: Spoon some of the pan sauce over your ribs before serving for an extra burst of flavor!
⏰ Short on Time? Try This 20-Minute Version!
If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick stovetop shortcut:
Cut ribs into smaller pieces for faster cooking.
Sear as usual for flavor.
Add ½ cup broth, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Cover and cook on medium-low for 15–20 minutes, flipping occasionally.
You’ll still get tender, juicy ribs — perfect for busy weeknights! 🕒✨
🧄 Tips for Perfect Homemade Short Ribs
💡 Don’t skip the sear. It locks in juices and adds incredible depth.
💡 Low and slow = tenderness. If you have extra time, simmer for 1–2 hours for fall-off-the-bone perfection.
💡 Add veggies. Mushrooms, celery, or potatoes can cook in the same pan for a one-pot meal.
💡 Save the sauce. Leftover sauce makes an amazing gravy for rice or pasta.
🧊 Storing & Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you!
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Freeze for up to 2 months — just thaw and warm when ready to enjoy.
🍲 Fun fact: Short ribs taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen overnight!
🥢 Variations to Try
Want to switch things up? Try one of these delicious twists:
🍯 Honey-Garlic Short Ribs: Add 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon soy sauce for a sweet-savory glaze.
🌶️ Spicy Korean-Style Ribs: Use gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a bold kick.
🍺 Beer-Braised Ribs: Replace broth with dark beer for a smoky, malty flavor.
🍅 Italian-Style Ribs: Add crushed tomatoes, basil, and a splash of red wine.
🍷 Perfect Drink Pairings
Pair your homemade short ribs with a drink that complements their rich flavor:
🍷 Red wine: Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
🍺 Dark beer: Stout or porter
🥤 Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with lemon or iced tea
❤️ Conclusion
And there you have it — your homemade short ribs recipe in minutes!
With tender beef, rich sauce, and layers of deep flavor, this dish proves that comfort food doesn’t have to take all day. Whether you’re hosting guests or treating yourself to a cozy meal, these easy short ribs will make you look (and feel) like a master chef. 👩🍳✨
So grab your skillet, fire up the stove, and enjoy the kind of hearty, flavorful dinner that makes everyone at the table happy. Because nothing says comfort like a plate of homemade short ribs! 🍖💛