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
I started making this exactly as written and loved everything about it. It’s difficult to find short ribs occasionally so I’ve adapted it when necessary and used top sirloin, even chuck roast which seemed weird but I love the flavor so much I had to try it. Cooking it low and slow provided tender meat with the same flavor, just in a different “form”. So what I learned is, if you find a recipe you love? Adapt it if you have to because this flavor profile is killer!