This Balsamic Braised Short Ribs is a hearty dish that’s comforting on a chilly evening. Cooking short ribs can take a few hours, but only about 20 minutes of hands-on time. The meat is so tender and the onions come out perfectly caramelized.

Serve over rice, roasted or mashed potatoes or a bowl of creamy polenta to balance out the flavors.

A dutch oven cast iron pot with oven braised short ribs.

Balsamic Braised Short Ribs is one of those recipes that feels like an explosion of flavor upon the first bite, and every bite after that.

For me bone-cuts have always been the most flavorful and satisfying meats and consequently the ones I tend to turn a blind eye on serving sizes and portions.

Similarly to this level of satisfaction are my Oxtail Stew , this Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs variation which I make when I am pressed with time and off course, the classic Instant Pot Spare Ribs.

Braised short ribs recipe in oven, served on a plate.

These meat recipes are pure bliss and hands on deliciousness, powerhouse flavor and a great way to treat (and impress!) your family, friends and guests.

The beauty of braised meats is that you only need about 20-30 minutes of hands-on work and the rest is completely hands-off time, slowly braising in the oven.

This recipe is perfect for a Sunday dinner because you have a bit more time at home, and for many families this is the only time when everyone gets to eat a meal together. A very special time!

I hope you will try my Balsamic Braised Short Ribs recipe. Note that this recipe is Whole30 approved, which also means gluten-free, Paleo and Keto.

Enjoy it!

balsamic braised short ribs in oven served with a potato on a plate.

what you need to make balsamic braised short ribs in oven:

  1. a good heavy dutch oven pot. I am a huge fan of Le Creuset (I am not associated with the brand). To me the investment is worth every penny. I made this recipe in this 5.5 qt Le Creuset that I have owned for many years now and my kids are already counting on my passed-down Le Creuset pans when they get to be of age. So cute!
  2. bone-in short ribs. Short ribs can be a very fatty cut so be sure to hand select the less fattier ones.
  3. ghee or olive oil for sautéing. Ghee is whole30 approved and I love using it in my recipes.
  4. onion and garlic. Cut the onion in larger chunks so you can enjoy a tasty caramelized onion with the meat.
  5. tomato paste which helps the texture, color and taste in this recipe.
  6. coconut aminos. This ingredient is key to create the balsamic flavors without the use of wine which is not whole30 approved. Coconut aminos is a substitute for soy. If you are not allergic to soy or following a whole30 diet, you may use it instead of coconut aminos.
  7. balsamic vinegar that is whole30 approved
  8. bone broth or beef broth. Honestly if you don’t have these in hand just use water, you will still get good flavor. I like Kettle & Fire and Bare Bones that are Whole30 approved.
  9. almond flour as a thickening agent.
  10. and finally our herbs, fresh thyme and bay leaf. You can tie the thyme in a bundle so it’s easier to remove at the end.
A plate with balsamic braised short ribs in oven with a smashed potatoes and a fork.

how to cook braised short ribs in oven:

  • Heat ghee (or oil) in a dutch over or cast iron pot. Add short ribs that are pre-seasoned with salt and pepper, to taste. Brown the ribs on all sides. Transfer to a plate
  • Add onion and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then deglaze the pan with coconut aminos* and balsamic vinegar. Give it a good stir scraping the bottom of the pan to remove all bits and pieces.
  • Add tomato paste and almond flour. Whisk well to combine. Add bone or beef broth.
  • Transfer short ribs back to the pot. Add bay leaf and thyme. Cover and cook in the oven at 350F degrees for 2 hours.

storage and heating instructions:

  • To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
  • To Reheat. Rewarm short ribs in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. 
  • To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

what to serve these short ribs with?

Brown Rice

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Instant Pot Quinoa

Sweet Corn Risotto

similar recipes you might enjoy:

Instant Pot Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta

Braised Chicken with Mushrooms and Broccoli

Classic Pot Roast

Hearty Dutch Oven Beef Stew

Instant Pot Oxtail

braised short ribs
5 from 6 votes

Balsamic Braised Short Ribs

by Silvia Dunnirvine
This Balsamic Braised Short Ribs is a hearty dish that’s comforting on a chilly evening. Cooking short ribs can take a few hours, but only about 20 minutes of hands-on time. The meat is so tender and the onions come out perfectly caramelized.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven/ Cast Iron Pot

Ingredients 

  • 2 lb bone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos use soy for keto
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/3 cup bone or beef broth
  • 1 bundle fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 tbsp almond flour

Instructions 

  • Heat ghee (or oil) in a dutch over or cast iron pot. Add short ribs that are pre-seasoned with salt and pepper, to taste. Brown the ribs on all sides. Transfer to a plate (12-15 mins)
  • Add onion and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then deglaze the pan with coconut aminos* and balsamic vinegar. Give it a good stir scraping the bottom of the pan to remove all bits and pieces.
  • Add tomato paste and almond flour. Whisk well to combine. Add bone or beef broth.
  • Transfer short ribs back to the pot. Add bay leaf and thyme. Cover and cook in the oven at 350F degrees for 2 hours.

Notes

*coconut aminos is being used in place of wine because this recipe is Whole30. If not Whole30 you may use red wine instead. 
**coconut aminos is a substitute for soy. Should you not be on a Whole30 diet or have soy allergies, you may substitute coconut aminos for soy.

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 691mg | Potassium: 802mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Keyword: Braised Short Ribs, Short Ribs, short ribs recipe oven
Course: Dinner/ Main Meals, Meat
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!
balsamic braised short ribs in dutch oven cast iron heavy pot.

Hi! I’m Silvia.

My goal is to make cooking simple and enjoyable.

Garden in the Kitchen is full of easy and balanced recipes for busy families. Classics get a healthier twist with additions of veggies or alternative ingredients.

I hope my recipes will inspire you to cook more home meals and above all have fun in the kitchen!

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26 Comments

  1. Made this tonight with almost 4 lbs. next time will double it. So flavorful. I have a go to short rib recipe but this has now replaced it. My new favorite. Thanks for sharing.