Braised Chipotle Short Ribs
All you need to make these amazingly rich and spicy Braised Chipotle Short Ribs is 15 minutes of prep and hours of love in the oven.
Whether you use a slow cooker or the oven, make time for these Braised Chipotle Short Ribs. All you need is 15 minutes of prep and hours of love in the oven, and you will be rewarded with a rich and spicy taste of time.
I walked between the desks, their big eyes following me as I paced the room. I paused and asked them, “What was your happiest moment with your family?” Eager hands shot up in the air, and as I called on them, one by one, they earnestly shared memories of bike rides and baseball games, visits to see far away grandmothers and cousins, and Saturday mornings sitting by a fishing hole.
Simple moments.
Not one child mentioned the big birthday party when mom painstakingly created handmade table toppers to match the custom printed invitations, or even the huge pile of gifts under the Christmas tree. No one mentioned the time they were permitted to sit in front of the iPad for hours, playing their favorite video game.
I’ve been teaching a little class lately, we meet once a week. But the truth is, my students have been teaching me. As I stood among them, listening to the things that made them happiest, it reminded me of the greatest gift of all: time.
The gift of time is what we all want most of all, and yet, day by day, we rush, and I’m guilty of that as anyone else. We check our phones, we reply to messages, we hurry through homework and rush to practices. But when did we really give the gift of time? It took a group of 11 eight year olds to remind me.
Their wisdom I have been taking to heart, and I am rushing, on my own time, so that when my children are home from school, I am as present as I can possibly be, from that moment when I see them, to the time I tuck them into bed. I want to give them the gift of time as much as I possibly can.
When it comes to meals, even in this regard, I want to get as much done in advance, and sometimes, it is that same gift of time that can work on our side.
Marbled blocks of short ribs, when given the time to braise, low and slow, transform into something remarkable – the more time you give them to absorb, the more they give back in flavor. These Braised Chipotle Short Ribs depend on it to become the ultimate bite of tenderness, fallen off the bone, greeting you with the rich, spicy taste of time. And if you can resist them to devour them the following day, you are rewarded even more.
Whether you use a slow cooker or the oven, I hope you take the time. Make time for these Braised Chipotle Short Ribs. Fifteen minutes of prep. And hours of love in the oven. Which leaves you more minutes in the day for the ones you care about most.
Note: This post first appeared October 23, 2013. The recipe has been updated from the archives with improved kitchen notes, recipe annotation and updated photographs. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
More hearty main dish recipes to try:
Slow Cooker vs Pressure Cooker vs Dutch Oven: What Should You Buy?
Roast Pork Loin with Apple Chutney
Quinoa Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Thai-Spiced Mandarin Orange Roasted Chicken Thighs
Buttermilk Brined Cornish Hens
Filipino Chicken Adobo
Braised Chipotle Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 pieces short ribs
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 4 small carrots diced
- 4 stalks celery diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 6 cloves garlic smashed
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 4 Chipotle peppers in Adobe sauce
- 2 teaspoons adobe sauce from Chipotle peppers
- 2 cups red wine a syrah or zinfandel would be nice or hard cider
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- This may be prepared in a slow cooker or in the oven. If using the oven, preheat to 275°F.
- Place an ovenproof casserole, Dutch oven, or heatproof slow cooker insert over medium heat. Add olive oil, and heat until it is very hot but not yet smoking. Season short ribs generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Add short ribs to the pot, working in batches if necessary (take care not to let the short ribs touch – you run the risk of them steaming rather than browning). Cook ribs until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Do not rush!
- Remove ribs from casserole, and set aside.
- Remove excess fat, leaving just about 2-3 Tbsp in the casserole.
- Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to oil in the casserole, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and golden, about 10 minutes. Season with a little salt and pepper.
- Add flour, Chipotle peppers and adobo sauce to the casserole, and stir to combine. Deglaze the pan with the wine; stir with a wooden spoon until all browned bits have been scraped from the pan. Bring to a simmer, then add beef stock.
- Return browned ribs to the casserole and add the bay leaves. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover the casserole, and place it in the oven or slow cooker. If using a slow cooker, cook on high setting. Cook until ribs are very tender, about 3 hours.
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
Can’t wait to make it
Please let me know how you like the short ribs when you do make it, Peggy! :)
If they taste even better the next day how do you recommend re-heating them?
Hi Dianna! To reheat the short ribs, bring it to a simmer on the stove, and let it reheat for 20-30 minutes over low heat until the meat is warmed through. Enjoy!
Well I prepared this meal for my wife and I tonight and it turned out amazing.
The meat just fell off the bones and the sauce was so flavorful.
The only thing that was missing was a hearty bread.
Everyone should give this a try. It is not that hard to make,
Cheers Rick
So glad you and your wife enjoyed the short ribs!!
Gorgeous photos!
Delicious recipe!! Happy new year :)
Great dish, definitely a keeper. I’ve never been overly fond of braised beef, but this is fantastic.
Alma, I’m so happy to hear that you think this is a keeper! Thank you!
Hi Liren.
I have been following you for a couple years now and all the recipes I have tried are really great. When are you gonna publish a cookbook? I would be the first one to buy!
Anyway, I saw this repost and perfect timing since we are thinking of serving short ribs for our holiday party. I have tried this recipe and my husband loved it. It was too spicy for me though since I am really not into spicy food. How could I make this non spicy? Just simply take off the adobo sauce from the recipe? Please advise. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes. The photos look stunning too.
Thanks!
This recipe is delicious guys. Although guys I like to share a link about nutrition Facts.
The Nutrition Facts helps you determine the amount of calories and nutrients in one serving of food. Nutrients include fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. This information helps you know whether you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet. Here is a link that contain many foods nutrition facts—
https://pediapedia.org/en/food-nutrition-facts/
I have made these probably 7-8 times and just absolutely love it! I put it in the crockpot after browning the ribs and cooking the veggies and the wine. Med cook for 5-6 hrs is wonderful! If you can imagine, it is even better the next day!
That is awesome, Michael! I made it again recently, too, it’s always a winner at our house. So glad it’s a recipe you keep returning to :)
Hi Liren!
Do you think I can make this in a pressure cooker? I just got one as a birthday present and would like to try it!
Absolutely! I think it would be wonderful! Enjoy the pressure cooker and happy birthday!
Is there something you can use instead of wine? Or dose it effect the flavor?
Wine just adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the short ribs. However, if you do not want to use it, you can also use beer or beef stock. Hope that helps!
If you don’t want to use red wine, try using cola for a carmelized flavor and tomato paste.
Love this idea, Diana!
If you can, find a local olive oil/balsamic seller. We have one, and I sub red wines with fig balsamic. It’s fantastic!!!
This looks great! If cooking in a dutch oven, what temperature would you recommend for the 3+ hrs in the oven?
Hi Sarah! This can be braised in the oven at 275 degrees for 3 hours. Enjoy!
Do you know approximately how many pounds of short ribs that is? I’m making it for my boyfriend and brother on Friday and I’m not sure of quantity. :)
They love all things spicy so I will probably double up the heat factor!
Hi Danielle! This is approximately 6 lbs (or 1 lb per short rib) – I hope that helps! Enjoy :)
I’ve only just recently discovered the wonders of slow cooker recipes! Braised ribs are next on my list!
My slow cooker is just a year old, and I can’t believe I’ve lived so long with out one, Irene! It’s so wonderful, especially this time of year :)
Beautiful post, Liren. Time is precious – I often complain about the lack of it instead of appreciating the here and now. Thanks for the gently reminder. :)
The chipotle short ribs look scrumptious!
Thank you, Valerie! I’ve realized that I often complain about the lack of time, too. Funny how it took some little ones to remind me :)
WOW – these look and sound AMAZING! I loved your post. Happy Saturday!!!
Thank you, Lisa! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend :)
It’s so true. I taught a grade 11 class during my practicum, and they gave me so much insight into my own life. I’m so excited to be a teacher (I graduate in May, yay) so that I can experience more moments like this. But thank you for reminding me about the gift of time. I really needed to hear this today.
And this recipe has blown my socks off! I love everything chipotle! Now all I need is a slow cooker…
How awesome – I have the greatest respect for teachers, you’ve chosen an amazing profession. Your students will be lucky to have you! :)
I hope you get to try this – no need for a slow cooker – a Dutch oven or even a deep casserole dish will work in the oven!
you had me at Chipotle. absolutely delicious…pinned for the weekend
Thank you, Jules! :)
Liren, such a thought provoking post. My girl is grown but I can’t tell you how often I scan the past for evidence that I was present enough when she was little. I was there, but was I always “present”. I fear I would have bombed terribly if Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and blogs were around back then. Even now, when we are all together, we schedule “technology free” time. One of the things we love to do most during those periods is to cook. All three of us love braised ribs. I’ve pinned your recipe to my Comfort Food board and plan on making it with her when she is home next from college. :)
Yes, social media can easily take over, we set rules for the children when it comes to technology, and I have been imposing some rules for myself, too. I think it’s wonderful that you are able to still fit in quality time with your daughter, even if she is far away!
I am in the process of moving to my new home after a 2 1/2 year renovation, and this will be my first dish coming out of my new kitchen. Thanks Liren! I’m sure my husband will thank you too he’s tired of delivery
A new kitchen! Congratulations, I can imagine how gratifying it will be to begin cooking again. I hope you and your husband enjoy it!
I saw this on FB today and just had to drop by for a closer look…wow, I’m needing a plate of short ribs just like the one in your photo, lol! I’m so easy-what time is dinner?!
Children grow up fast, it’s wonderful to savor the time you spend with them-especially helping out in their classes is such a great way to show them how much you enjoy your time together ;)
Drop by any time, Patty, if you could bring that incredible pound cake, that would be awesome ;)
I’m doing my best to enjoy them, especially at this age. It really is going by so fast.
So true! It’s hard to make time for everything, especially with 4 kids but I know how important it is to them and our family. We love camping for that reason, we are ‘forced’ to relax and spend good ol’ fashioned quality time together without all of the usual distractions.
Ah, camping! We used to go all the time, but lately…we’ve been too busy (ha!). Now I crave a good camping trip – it’s so true how it really forces you to unplug.
Beautiful post, the wisdom from children always astounds me. I love chipotle anything – these look like the ultimate comfort food for a chilly fall evening!
I’m always impressed, too. They’re such smart little humans. We adults need to pay more attention.
Your words are so true!! Every night when I ask my son what his favorite thing was that day he says, “I played…” That’s what he loves most. I really need to remember that (especially with both my kids’ birthdays and holidays coming up!).
I also forget how playtime is precious to them! And I do feel badly how little time is sometimes left at the end of the day for playing, after homework and sports. I’m looking forward to the end of soccer season for that very reason ;)
My husband is going to love this! What a great recipe for fall….makes you feel all warm and comfy!
I hope he loves it! I love these short ribs because they have smoke, spice and comfort in each spoonful!
Love, love short ribs although I never cook them at home. I guess I’ve been maybe a little apprehensive since they seem hard to get tender? This however looks like a recipe would love. Thanks!
No need to be apprehensive, Christy :) The longer they cook the more time the meat has to break down into slivers of tenderness! I would even start this in the morning and cook all day – by dinner, it’s very very tender.
I’ve never made short ribs…..these look wonderful. What did you serve them with? Mashed potatoes or is that polenta in the photo????
Hi Lea! You will love making short ribs – it’s one of those things that is impressive but actually very easy to make. I served these particular ribs with polenta, but mashed potatoes, rice, and noodles are also wonderful accompaniments.
How did you make/season the polenta? Recipe?
Thanks!
Hi Kim! The polenta recipe can be found here: Pumpkin Sage Polenta. Enjoy!
Braised short ribs have to be my favorite comfort food of all time. They are simply amazing! Excited to try this recipe!
Total comfort food, Kelli! It was so good to indulge in them again, that’s for sure!
So very guilty of the rush, and how very telling that your students really crave and remember the simple times spent together with their loved ones. We love, love short ribs around here and my boys would have a hard time waiting 24 hours to devour them but I’d definitely like to give that a try! Beautiful recipe, post and photos!
It really is the simple times – togetherness is what they crave most, and it was a valuable reminder. Hope you get to try it! I know, waiting to tear into the short ribs is a challenge, but definitely worth the wait :)
Guilty! If only I had more time, then maybe I could get everything done and still have time to enjoy life a little. These short ribs are making my mouth water. The hubs and I love short ribs. Pinned.
If only, right? I sometimes lament that there aren’t more hours in the day! Ah well, we must work with what we’ve got. Thanks for sharing the short ribs, Jennie!