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Beef Short Ribs and Beans Recipe

Beef Short Ribs and Beans Recipe
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A hearty and soul-warming slow-cooked dish featuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef short ribs combined with creamy, flavorful beans. This recipe offers rich layers of flavor and a comforting texture, ideal for a special yet simple dinner. Perfect for family meals, gatherings, or meal prepping, it blends pantry staples with fresh ingredients for a versatile and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2–3 lbs beef short ribs (bone-in for best flavor, well-marbled)

Beans

  • 1½ cups dried beans (pinto, kidney, or navy) or 2 cans (15 oz each) drained and rinsed

Aromatics

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Sauces

  • 4 cups beef broth (gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Spices & Herbs

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Other

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Brown the Meat: Season the beef short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the ribs evenly on all sides until richly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes per side. This locks in flavor and provides a savory base for the dish.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Remove the browned short ribs and set aside. In the same pot, add chopped onions and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant, creating a flavorful foundation for the beans and meat.
  3. Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, bay leaves, and fresh thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes to release essential oils and intensify flavors.
  4. Combine and Simmer: Return the short ribs to the pot. Add your chosen beans and pour in the beef broth. Stir gently and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the ribs are tender and the beans are creamy and flavorful. Stir occasionally and check liquid levels, adding more broth if needed.
  5. Final Seasoning and Serve: Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Let the dish rest, covered off heat, for about 10 minutes to thicken the sauce and deepen flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Brown the meat well to develop rich, complex flavors.
  • Use fresh herbs like thyme for more aromatic depth compared to dried.
  • Cook low and slow to ensure tender meat and fully flavored beans.
  • Keep an eye on liquid levels during simmering to prevent drying out.
  • Let the dish rest before serving to thicken the sauce and meld flavors.
  • Make-ahead friendly: flavors improve after resting overnight.
  • To make it gluten-free, verify that broth and seasonings contain no gluten.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef short ribs, beans, slow cooked, hearty dinner, comforting meal, gluten free, one pot meal

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/beef-short-ribs-and-beans-recipe/