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Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions. Slow cooked short ribs in apple cider with fresh herbs and sweet caramelized onions. If there’s one cozy fall and winter meal you need to be making, it’s these braised short ribs. They’re simple to put together and totally delicious. Serve over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and you’ll have the perfect dinner for a cold night in.

Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions | halffbakedharvest.com

It’s about this time every year that I lean into making more low and slow dinners, either in the crockpot or braised in the oven.

There’s just something so comforting knowing that dinner is slow cooking all day long. It means a warming meal is sure to be had at the end of the day. And in fall, that’s really all I want. What I love about short ribs is that there’s something so “fancy” about them. But yet they’re actually so simple and easy to prepare.

And when cooked properly, totally delicious!

Of course, these short ribs were inspired by my brother Creighton. He’s a huge fan of pot roast. He’s always asking me to make a recipe similar to what my mom made growing up.

I’m sure at some point I will make a classic pot roast, but I love slow braising short ribs. I knew these would not disappoint anyone.

And trust me, Creighton was very pleased with this dinner. He’s been talking about it ever since I made the recipe, so I’m excited to share it today!

Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions | halffbakedharvest.com

The details

I’ve been really into caramelizing onions lately. I love the added richness in flavor they bring. I also love that caramelizing the onions really takes the bitter bite out of them. Therefore, I knew I wanted them to be a big part of this recipe.

Start by searing the ribs in a nice big cocotte that’s oven safe. When the ribs are browned, pull them out, then add the onions and start to slowly cook them down. I love to add a splash of the apple cider to help the onions cook down a little quicker.

When the onions have reached a light gold color, the rest is simple. Just add the short ribs back to the pot, add lots of apple cider, white wine (or broth), carrots (my favorite part), garlic, and fresh thyme.

Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions | halffbakedharvest.com

Arrange some apple wedges around the meat. Then cook low and slow all day long either in the oven or in the crockpot.

The kitchen will smell incredible as this slow cooks all day, and the outcome is beyond good.

I love the pairing of sweet apple cider and tangy caramelized onions. Something about the combo with beefy short ribs is just so good.

Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions | halffbakedharvest.com

Finish it up

I love to serve this over creamy mashed potatoes, with gravy and onions spooned over top. Then simply add some crusty bread on the side. This really is one of the best, cozy meals there is.

It feels very fancy, and very French too, which is so fun!

I made this exact recipe for Sunday night dinner with the family. It was the perfect dinner to enjoy on our first snowy night of the year. If you need something warm and hearty to serve this fall, this recipe is a go-to.

Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions | halffbakedharvest.com

Looking for other slow cooked fall recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Red Wine Braised Short Rib Pasta

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Lastly, if you make these Cider Braised Short Ribs, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Watch the how-to video:

Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 868 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Watch the How-To Reel

Ingredients

Instructions

Oven

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 325° F.
    2. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, then rub with flour to coat. Heat a large oven-safe Dutch Oven over high heat, sear the ribs on both sides. Remove the ribs to a plate, wipe the pot clean of grease.
    3. Add the butter and onions and cook 5 minutes, until softened. Add a 1/2 cup apple cider, season with salt and pepper, and continue cooking another 5-8 minutes, until the cider has evaporated and the onions are lightly golden. Add the thyme, then add the short ribs back to the pot. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups cider, broth or wine, carrots, garlic, and bay leaves. Arrange the apples around the meat. Cover and roast in the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the short ribs are tender and falling off the bone.
    3. Remove the bay leaves. Serve the ribs over a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle with the pan sauce and onions. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker

  • 1. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, then rub with flour to coat. Heat a large Dutch Oven over high heat, sear the ribs on both sides.
    2. To the bowl of your crockpot, add the butter and onions, then place the ribs over the onions. Add thyme, apple cider, broth or wine, carrots, garlic, and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. During the last 1-2 hours of cooking, add the apples, arranging them around the meat.
    3. Remove the bay leaves. Serve the ribs over a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle with the pan sauce and onions. Enjoy!
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Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions | halffbakedharvest.com

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Comments

    1. Hi there! I’m so sorry, I haven’t tried this recipe in an Instant Pot before so I’m not sure! xTieghan

  1. hi! if i did this recipe with stew meat, how long would i slow cook it for? would i have to adjust any of the ingredients? thank you!

  2. Couldn’t find ribs that weren’t stupid expensive, so I got a Chuck roast. The biggest our store has was 3.44 pounds. Should I reduce the amount of liquid or the cook time at all?
    Thanks!!

      1. Hey Annie,
        That should work well for you! I hope this recipe turns out amazing, please let me know if you give it a try! xT

  3. 5 stars
    My husband and I loved this recipe! It’s the perfect recipe for fall as the days are getting cooler. As someone else noted, I made it using a chuck roast because of the price of short ribs. Turned out great!

  4. Really want to make this but short ribs are so expensive in my area right now! I have a boneless chuck roast on hand. Do you think that would work? Any modifications if I can use it? Thank you!

    1. hi! if i did this recipe with stew meat, how long would i slow cook it for? would i have to adjust any of the ingredients? thank you!

  5. Hi Tieghan! I love all your recipes and make them weekly. I got right under 3 pounds of short ribs since there is only 2 of us. Should I half the liquid ingredients since I’m only making half the amount of short ribs!? Thanks

  6. 5 stars
    You had me at caramelized onions!
    I have many short ribs recipes, simply because my husband loves them. He loved them when all I did with them was pour on some bottled barbecue sauce and cook them in the over (oh what a long way I have come since those early days of marriage some 50 years ago!). But when I began to braise them in one set of flavors or another, well … let’s just say his elevated palate definitely approves. He took one bite of this version, chewed slowly, put his fork down, and looked up. “This,” he declared, “This is the one. Best ever.” High praise coming from him.

  7. 5 stars
    Made this last night with the recommended mashed potatoes and it was amazing! I used the oven-cook method. Perfect in three hours. Thanks so much for the great recipe!

  8. 3 stars
    I love short ribs, but after seeing the price I decided to go with a chuck roast. The flavor was great, and I did mine in the slow cooker. However, I felt like it was too much liquid, and the sauce didn’t look anything like in the picture. I was hoping for a thicker, darker sauce. A little too much on the onions, so I only did 2. The meat was still tender and tasted great with mashed potatoes. Maybe next time, I’ll try this in my dutch oven.

  9. 4 stars
    I found this recipe to be quite onion-heavy, but after reading the comments I see that it might have been better to sauté them in the slow cooker before adding all of the other ingredients. 4 onions still seems like a lot, maybe I’d use 3 next time– or 2 and a couple shallots.
    The flavor is superb, though, and the meat falls right off the bone. Such a great hot meal for a cold autumn night!
    Also, if I make it again, I will wait until the bone-in short ribs are on sale… it hurt my wallet this time, but I justified it by thinking about the leftovers and how many meals I’ll actually get out of this dish. I’ll have it again this week and then freeze the rest for when I’m snowed in this winter : )

    1. Hey Liz! I’m so sorry this recipe didn’t turn out the way you’d hoped! I hope it was still enjoyable! xTieghan

  10. 5 stars
    Wow! This was an amazing fall/winter meal for the slowcooker! Worth the money for the short ribs – they just fall apart and are super tender after 8 hours of cooking! Whole family loved it! Served on top of mashed potatoes. My son said it was like we were celebrating Thanksgiving 2.0 (lol we’re in Canada so Thanksgiving has already passed)! Next time would add a few more apples in the last 30 minutes of cooking!

  11. 5 stars
    This recipe is a winner! I made it tonight for dinner and everyone devoured it. My eight year old asked me to make it for her birthday meal..in March! It was a hit, and I’ll be sure to make it again.

    1. Hey Tara! This is awesome, I’m so happy to hear this recipe turned out the way you’d hoped! 🙂 xTieghan

  12. 5 stars
    My kids enjoyed it which makes it a winner. I added some oregano based off some of the comments and used stew meat. It was tender and yummy!

    1. Hey Janelle! This is awesome, I’m so happy to hear this recipe turned out the way you’d hoped! 🙂 xTieghan

  13. 5 stars
    WOW! !
    Outstanding!
    I never thought apple cider would pare so well with beef!

    This is my you new favorite fall dinner recipe!

    Can’t wait to make it again! Easy to make, 4 star restaurant quality!

    1. Hey Dave! This is awesome, I’m so happy to hear this recipe turned out the way you’d hoped! 🙂 xTieghan