Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Herb Sauce
This recipe brings comfort food to a new level with tender, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs bathed in a rich, aromatic braising liquid. As they slowly cook, the flavors meld into something magical. Paired with a lusciously creamy herb sauce, it turns a humble cut of meat into a luxurious dinner that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.
Whether you’re entertaining guests or looking for a hearty weekend meal to spoil yourself and your family, this dish makes an impression. It’s deeply savory, satisfying, and unexpectedly easy to pull off with just a little patience.
Why You’ll Love This Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs
You’ll love this dish for its richness and depth of flavor that builds over hours of slow cooking. The short ribs become impossibly tender, soaking in the garlic, wine, and herbs, while the creamy herb sauce adds a layer of comfort and freshness. It’s one of those meals that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, but most of the time is hands-off.
What Cut of Ribs Should I Use?
When making this recipe, opt for bone-in beef short ribs. They’re meatier, more flavorful, and benefit most from the slow braise. Boneless ribs work too, but the bone adds depth to the sauce and helps keep the meat juicy throughout the cooking process.
Ingredients for the Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Herb Sauce
Every ingredient in this dish plays a role in building flavor and richness. Start with quality cuts of meat, and don’t skip the fresh herbs in the sauce — they bring everything together beautifully.
- Beef short ribs
- Salt & pepper
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Tomato paste
- Red wine
- Beef broth
- Bay leaves
- Fresh thyme
- Heavy cream
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh chives
- Dijon mustard


How To Make the Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Herb Sauce
Step 1: Season and Sear the Ribs
Generously season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then sear the ribs until deeply browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
In the same pot, add chopped onion and cook until soft. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, letting it cook until the paste darkens slightly, about 2 minutes.
Step 3: Deglaze and Braise
Pour in the red wine and scrape up the browned bits at the bottom of the pot. Add beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Return the ribs to the pot, cover, and braise in the oven at 325°F for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Herb Sauce
While the ribs rest, combine heavy cream, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, and chives in a small saucepan. Heat gently until warm and slightly thickened.
Step 5: Serve
Plate the ribs and spoon the creamy herb sauce over the top. Garnish with additional herbs if desired.
How to Serve and Store Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs
This hearty dish is perfect for serving straight from the pot to the table. It feeds about 4 to 6 people generously. Serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or creamy polenta to soak up all the rich sauce. Any leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or in the oven at a low temperature.
What to Serve With Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs?
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are the classic companion. They hold the sauce and balance the richness of the ribs.
Roasted Carrots
Caramelized carrots add a touch of sweetness that complements the savory meat.
Creamy Polenta
Soft and buttery polenta is ideal for spooning underneath the short ribs.
Sauteed Greens
A pile of garlicky spinach or Swiss chard cuts through the richness and adds a burst of color.
Crusty Bread
A warm, crusty loaf is perfect for mopping up any extra sauce.
Horseradish Mashed Cauliflower
For a low-carb side, mashed cauliflower with a touch of horseradish gives great zing.
Red Wine Reduction
A drizzle of red wine reduction intensifies the flavor of the braise if you want to be extra fancy.
Buttered Egg Noodles
Simple and nostalgic, noodles offer a lovely base under the ribs.
Want More Dinner Ideas?
If you’re all about cozy meals that warm the soul, check out these other satisfying recipes:
- Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini for a Mexican-Italian fusion dream.
- Cajun Potato Soup for a creamy bowl of comfort with spice.
- Creamy Chicken and Broccoli if you’re looking for something simple and nourishing.
- Mom’s Signature Macaroni Salad that doubles as a side or lunch staple.
- Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs for sweet and tangy oven-baked goodness.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go with mashed potatoes or try something different? Did you toss in a splash of brandy for a twist?
I love seeing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too — let’s cook and share together.
Explore beautifully curated comfort meals and decadent sauces on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest and find your next crave-worthy dish!
Conclusion
Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Herb Sauce isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience. The low-and-slow technique rewards you with tender, flavorful meat that melts with each bite, while the herb sauce brings a cool contrast. It’s rustic yet elegant, and sure to become a staple when you want to treat yourself or impress guests.


Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Herb Sauce
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Herb Sauce recipe delivers tender, fall-off-the-bone beef simmered in a savory red wine and herb braise, finished with a luxurious creamy sauce. Perfect for hearty dinners, cozy weekends, or impressive gatherings. A must-try comfort food meal.
Ingredients
4 to 5 lbs beef short ribs
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup red wine
3 cups beef broth
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
1. Season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven and sear ribs on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened. Add garlic and tomato paste; stir and cook until aromatic.
4. Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits, then add broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Return ribs to pot.
5. Cover and braise at 325°F for 2.5 to 3 hours, until meat is fork-tender.
6. For the sauce, heat cream, Dijon mustard, parsley, and chives in a saucepan until warm and slightly thickened.
7. Serve ribs with herb sauce drizzled over top. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.
Notes
Use bone-in short ribs for best flavor and texture.
Don’t rush the searing step — that crust builds flavor.
Let ribs rest for 10 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 1 short rib with sauce)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
