Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs. Slow cooked short ribs in red wine with fresh herbs and sweet cranberries. If there’s one cozy holiday meal you need to be making, it’s these braised short ribs. They’re a one pot and done kind of dinner, festive, and totally delicious. Serve these over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and you’ll have the perfect dinner for a cold night in.
I’ve been waiting for Thanksgiving week to be here for so long. This is always such a fun week with so much excitement in the air. I’ve never put a ton of pressure on myself to make Thanksgiving perfect. I think this is why I am able to look forward to it so much. All of my brothers are in town (well one arrives tomorrow). I’m excited to spend some time with them, take a minute to soak everything in, and be thankful for all this year has had to offer. It’s been a big year of growth here at HBH, and I’m so thankful to be doing what I love each and every day.
It’s been go, go, go for months now, so I haven’t really had the chance to organize the studio and make it just right. Plus, we’re still waiting on furniture for the upstairs loft and office. Regardless, on Saturday afternoon I finally decided to put down my computer and spend a couple of hours organizing and tidying up around the studio to prepare for Thanksgiving. It was fun to spend a little time styling out the space. Thanksgiving will be our first “big dinner” here, so I’m getting excited! I may or may not have already set my tables.
Anyway, with all of my family in town, that means I need easy meals that everyone will love.
Enter these tangy red wine braised short ribs.
This recipe has been my go-to for about a year now. I first made these ribs back in December of last year. And ever since then I’ve been making them for big crowds. My brothers love short ribs, so this is the perfect dinner to serve this week…especially with snow in the forecast. Nothing is better on a snowy night than a dinner of slow cooker short ribs.
Plus, they are so easy to make. Just one pot, set the slow cooker, and come home to dinner. EASY.
Like most (good) short rib recipes, this one starts out by searing the ribs in a super hot skillet. Trust me, I know how much of a turn off this is in any recipe. But searing the ribs is an essential step and will give you a tender, flavorful short rib every time. I know you might not want to dirty the pan or deal with the grease splatter, but if you want a delicious meal, take the extra ten minutes and sear the ribs before adding them to the slow cooker (or oven).
Once the ribs are seared, you pretty much just throw all remaining ingredients into the slow cooker and cook all day long. Low and slow is key with short ribs, so I recommend cooking the full six hours on low. You can slow cook these in the oven as well.
The major flavor for these shorts come from dry red wine, fresh herbs, and tangy cranberries. Now, I know the cranberries might be throwing some of you off, but I promise, the cranberries in this recipe are delicious.
One of my favorite things to do this time of year when cranberries are in season is to pair them with beef and red wine. Something about the combo of cranberries, red, wine, and beefy short ribs are just so good. It feels very fancy, very French, and when served over creamy mashed potatoes, it’s really one of the best, coziest meals there is.
I actually made this exact recipe yesterday, for Sunday night dinner with the family. It was the perfect dinner to enjoy on a cold November night. If you need something warm and hearty to serve this week before Thursday’s feast, I highly recommend these short ribs.
They cannot be beat.
If you make these 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 also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 1446 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds bone in, beef short ribs
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- mashed potatoes, for serving
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large oven safe skillet, sear the ribs on both sides. Remove the ribs and transfer to the slow cooker. 2. To the slow cooker, add the onions, shallots, and carrots. Add the wine, broth, tomato paste, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, gently stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. During the last 2 hours of cooking, add the cranberries. 3. Remove the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Serve the ribs over a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle with the pan sauce. Enjoy!
Oven
- 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.2. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large oven safe skillet, sear the ribs on both sides. Remove the ribs to a plate. Add the onions, shallots, and carrots, cook 5-10 minutes or until the onions begin to caramelize. Add back the short ribs. Add the wine, broth, tomato paste, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Sprinkle over the cranberries. Season with salt and pepper, gently stir to combine. Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until the short ribs are tender and falling off the bone.3. Remove the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Serve the ribs over a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle with the pan sauce. Enjoy!
I went to the store for the carrots and forgot the carrots! I made the recipes without them and it was still DELICIOUS. SOOOO GOOD.
Hey KatieAnn,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Have a great weekend!! xxTieghan
Can I switch fresh cranberries for frozen?
Hey Andrea,
Yes, I think frozen cranberries would work just fine here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Making this today! If I’m crunched for time, how do you recommend I adjust the slow cooker time if cooking on high instead of low?
Hey Tabi,
I would cook for 3-4 hours on high. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! I’ve been dying to try this recipe, but I guess cranberries are out of season. Do you recommend a substitute? Can I use frozen cranberries (idk if those even exist ) or something else? or can I eliminate the cranberries from the recipe?
Hey Kristin,
I think frozen cranberries would work well here! I hope you love the dish, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Made this for thanksgiving last year, and still think about it regularly. Definitely need to make this again. So amazing. So simple. Thanks so much!
Hey Jo,
Thank you so much for making the recipe, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Made these tonight and my picky kids loved them- and so did I. So easy since you out everything in the crock pot. Will definitely make again!
Hey Stacey,
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Hi! how would the cooking process be different if I used an instant pot? Thank you!
Hey Cindy,
You can follow the instructions from this recipe using the instant pot: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/white-wine-braised-short-ribs/#bo-recipe
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! when do we add the cranberries here when using instant pot?
Hey there,
You can add those with all of the ingredients. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
This looks so amazing! This is a silly question, but I have everything but the short ribs, but have the same amount of beef chuck. Would that work? Thanks in advance!
Hey Monica,
Yes, I think that would work well! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
The cranberries in this dish give the sauce a beautiful tartness. My fiancé usually doesn’t like fruit with his meat but even he loved it! A brilliant/easy dinner party entree in the fall/winter. I will be making this again…. and probably very soon!
Hey Lauren,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Looking forward to making this today in my Dutch oven. I could only find frozen cranberries. Do I need to thaw them first before adding them?
Hey Karen,
I would just add them right in. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Perfection! Followed the recipe to a t for the crockpot with the one exception of browning the meat in pot on saute at 400. I had hoped for some leftover but all we had was a big of bones. Such a nice winter treat.
Hey Kristen,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Hi! If I am just making this for two does the cooking time stay the same? And how many pounds of short ribs would you recommend!? Thank you!!!
Hey Taylor,
I would just cut the recipe in half and cook for 6 hours on low. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year! xTieghan
So delicious! I made this for Christmas dinner last night and everyone loved it. Another winner. Thank you Tieghan!
Hey Tracey,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious!! We made this with the slow cooker mashed potatoes and it felt like we were eating something we would splurge on at a fancy restaurant.
Hey Emily,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
We just made this for Christmas dinner. Divine! This recipe is spot on!
Hey Samantha,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you. Happy Holidays! xTieghan