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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.

overhead photo of Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs with mashed potatoes, wine and salt in photo

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.

Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribsin slow cooker

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.

side angle photo of Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs

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.

overhead close up photo of Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs

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

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
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.

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Ingredients

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!
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This post was originally published on November 19, 2018
4.19 from 913 votes (842 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We made the short ribs tonight and they were out of this world!! We are celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday and the short ribs were a wonderful meal to have instead on this day! I loved how the cranberries tied it into the season and the neat touch they added to the flavor. It was honestly one of the best meals we’ve cooked in awhile and my mom said it was definitely company-worthy! Thank you so much for sharing! (We did the oven method btw)

    Reply

  3. 5 stars
    OMG this was DELICIOUS. Made it tonight. I usually don’t love short ribs, but i ate every last bite. The cranberries added a beautiful Tartiness that I loveddddd! So yummy!

    Reply

    1. HI!! I am actually not a huge fan of cooking short ribs in the instant pot, so I am not sure how this recipe would work. If you want to try it I recommend high pressure for 35-45 minutes, but again I have not tested this. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hey Krystal! I usually just use whatever has been left at my house. I have found Barefoot wines to work really well for cooking! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan

      Reply

  7. 5 stars
    THANK YOU for yet another show stopper recipe! I have made this several times and it is always my go to when entertaining guests. You NEVER disappoint… keep em coming! My husband, children, and all others that have enjoyed a meal at our home thank you too!

    Reply

    1. Hey Roxanne! I am sure boneless ribs will be just fine. I would cook 1 hour or so less as the boneless ribs will cook faster. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hey Jessica! You sure can! Recipe for the oven is listed just below the slow cooker directions. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan

      Reply

  10. 5 stars
    I made these last year for Christmas eve dinner. I was counting on left overs…. there wasn’t any. The were so good. My one suggestion is to use the pan sauce and make real gravy so it’s not as runny.

    Reply

  11. I absolutely love braised short ribs! I recently made a recipe using boneless short ribs in the Instant Pot. I love being able to sear everything right in the pot and then setting it to cook. Could you provide cooking time if done in the Instant Pot? Love your recipes. Have loved every one I’ve tried!

    Reply

    1. Hey Lynne!! So I am actually not a huge fan of short ribs in the instant pot and do not feel too comfortable directing you how to do so. I just don’t know what the exact times would be…I would try 35-45 minutes on high pressure, but again I don’t know exact times. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much and happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan

      Reply

  13. Yum! This is going to be Thanksgiving Eve dinner. I committed to not grazing mindlessly all week, but actually planning other meals besides the feast, and this is perfect! Hands- off, delicious and the leftovers will be amazing! Enjoy the week with your family!

    Reply