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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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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
- 5 pounds bone in beef short ribs
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups chicken broth or dry white wine
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 apple, quartered (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
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!
This post was originally published on October 13, 2021
Amazing! ??
For the crock pot version, are the sliced onions raw or are they cooked before adding to the crock pot?
Hello! They are cooked 🙂 xTieghan
When using the slow cooker, do you add carrots at thr same time as onions? Thanks!
Yes! 🙂 xTieghan
Dang I would kill for a vegetarian option for this type of flavor. It looks delicious!
I bet you could try mushrooms!
Love that idea! I’ll have to work on that. xTieghan
I only have boneless short ribs. Would the cook time be cut in half with boneless in the oven or would it be the same?
Hi there! I would say start by cutting the time in half and just keep an eye on it 🙂 xTieghan
If I wanted to make this Gluten-free is there a particular GF flour you would suggest? Thanks!
Bob’s Red Mill is great! 🙂 xTieghan
The slow cooker option does not show a separate step to carmelize the onions. I’m sure it’s not necessary with the slow cooker, but the carmelized onions seem to be a big flavor plus for the recipe. Do you prefer the oven method for optimal flavor? This sounds really good, anxious to give it a try.
Hi Connie! For the caramelized onion flavor I would recommend caramelizing the onions in a separate pan and then adding them in so you still get that yummy flavor. Hope you enjoy! xTieghan
Hi Miss Tieghan. I just wanted to let you know that in your recipe you do not state when to add the carrots.
The recipe looks very yummy and I look forward to trying it out.
Hi Mary! Thanks so much for letting me know, that should be all fixed now! xTieghan
Could you do it in a instant pot?
Do you think it would be possible to substitute boneless for bone-in short ribs, and if so, how would it change the recipe? I was looking at some bone-in ribs last weekend and was floored by the price, but I do have some boneless ribs I got on sale as well as leftover apple cider from another of your recipes that I’d love to use up.
Hi there! Yes you definitely can. I would imagine the only change would maybe be decrease the cook time by a tiny bit! xTieghan
Can you use boneless?
Yes! xTieghan
Could I make these in my Dutch I’ve. Instead of the crockpot? What cook time would you recommend?
Yes, she states in the recipe, “Heat a large oven-safe Dutch Oven”.
Hi there! Yes you can definitely cook in the dutch oven. I would suggest a similar cook time to the oven, so about 2ish hours to get them nice and tender. xTieghan
My family doesn’t like onions, though I love them. I can usually sneak small amounts in and nobody notices. This recipe calls for a large amount. Would it still work if I just left them out? Thanks. I love your recipes! ❤️
Hi there! It would take away some of the flavor, but you can leave them out and just use extra seasoning if you’d like! xTieghan
Could you use spiced cider for this?
Hi Morgan! I’m sure that would be delicious! Enjoy xTieghan
For the slow cooker option I caramelize the onions in a skillet or the ditch over first, correct? Or do we put raw slides onions in the crockpot?
Yes, caramelize the onions in a skillet before to get that nice flavor! xTieghan
Hi! These look amazing. What’s the procedure if I want to cook on instant pot?
Hi there! I haven’t tried this recipe in the instant pot, so I am not too sure. Sorry! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, I asked you this yesterday but I didn’t get a response….Have I unintentionally done something with my computer or have you’ve removed the option to pin your recipes (to Pinterest)? Kindly confirm.
Hi Andrea! No, that setting has not been removed and yo can still pin things to pinterest 🙂 Just hover your mouse over the photo on the post and the little Pinterest logo should pop up in the top left hand corner! Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan