Borscht-Braised Beef Short Ribs

4.8
(18)

I've never been a big fan of beets, but in certain things, like borscht, I love them. With that simple soup as an inspiration, I thought the flavors would work nicely with the rich, fatty short ribs, and they sure did.

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a white enameled braising pan of Chef John's Borsct-Braised Beef Short Ribs with chunks of beet and carrot, garnished with fresh chives
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Cook Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 3-inch pieces

  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 yellow onion, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups chicken broth

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 pound beets, peeled and cut into large pieces

  • 1 cup cubed carrots

  • ½ cup chopped celery

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

  • ¼ cup sour cream

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

  2. Generously season short ribs with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat vegetable oil over high heat in a heavy pot. Brown short ribs on all sides until they are dark brown, about 6 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Add onions and continue cooking over high heat until onions go from golden to dark brown, about 8 minutes; this will make a richer, darker sauce. Stir flour into the onion mixture; cook for about 1 minute. Pour in broth; add bay leaf, beets, carrots, and celery. Bring pot to a simmer. Place browned short ribs in pot, evenly distributing them among the vegetables.

  3. Bake in preheated oven until meat is tender, about 2 hours. Transfer meat and vegetables to a serving platter.

  4. Bring sauce to a fast simmer over high heat until it is reduced by half and slightly thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt, if needed.

  5. Serve in bowls topped with a dollop of sour cream and chopped fresh chives.

    top-down view of Chef John's Borscht-Braised Beef Short Ribs garnished with sour cream and chives, served with mashed potatoes in a shallow bowl

    Chef John

Cook's Notes:

I used 2 large beets totaling 1 pound, peeled and cut into eighths.

Optional step: when you taste your finished sauce, if you want to add some acidity to balance the sweetness, adjust with a splash of white vinegar.

32 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

1471 Calories
130g Fat
21g Carbs
52g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 1471
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 130g 167%
Saturated Fat 56g 281%
Cholesterol 265mg 88%
Sodium 2218mg 96%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 7%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 52g 105%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 90mg 7%
Iron 7mg 37%
Potassium 1367mg 29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.