Cherry & Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs, kissed with cherry sweetness and red wine depth. The ultimate slow-cooked comfort.
Serves: 4–6
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg beef short ribs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and slice
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
- 200g mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
- 2 cups red wine
- 2 cups beef or vegetable stock
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Method
- Brown the Ribs: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy pot (cast iron or Dutch oven).
- Season ribs well with salt and pepper, then sear on all sides until deeply golden.
- Remove to a plate.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same pot, sauté onion, carrot, and garlic until softened and fragrant.
- Deglaze: Pour in red wine, scraping up the browned bits. Let it bubble for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Build the Braise: Add beef stock, cherries, rosemary, and thyme.
- Return the ribs and nestle them in the liquid.
- Simmer Low & Slow: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover with the lid, and cook on the lowest heat for 2½–3 hours.
- Turn the ribs halfway through, keeping the liquid at a gentle bubble.
- Finish: When the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender, skim any excess fat. If the sauce is too thin, remove ribs and reduce the liquid uncovered for 10 minutes until glossy.
Tip: The stovetop version can sometimes evaporate liquid more quickly than oven-braising — keep an eye on it, and if the liquid gets too low, splash in extra stock or water.
Both methods are lush — oven-braising gives you even heat, while stovetop feels more hands-on, like a slow seduction.
So if you would prefer to finish off in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 160 deg C
- Once you are ready cook for about 2 ½ to 3 hours.
- Keep an eye on it and top with a little liquid if necessary.
