Short ribs are one of my favorite cuts of meat. They are incredible flavorful and easy to work with! I love that you can prepare them and forget about them for two hours; then come back and find the ribs super tender and falling off the bone. So much flavor!
The cheesy grits are the perfect bed where these delicious and fatty ribs can rest and be happy. Give vacations to your mash potatoes and try these smooth and cheesy grits. You are going to love this combo!
What you need to make Braised Short Ribs with Cheesy grits
For the Ribs:
Beef short ribs
Olive for searing the ribs. Chose an oil with a high smoking point like canola, peanut or avocado oil
Yellow onion
Celery
Carrots
Garlic
Tomato paste
Chipotle in adobo sauce. This will not make the ribs hot unless you whole chipotle peppers. For this recipe we are just using the adobo sauce for a little smokiness.
Bay leaves
Fresh thyme and rosemary
Beef stock
Red wine vinegar. I always like to finish this dish with a little vinegar. It brightens up the flavors and balances the richness of the dish.
For the Grits
Milk. I like the creamy texture milk gives to the ribs but you can always sub for chicken stock or water.
Chicken stock
Grits
Butter
Cheddar or Colby jack cheese. I always take the extra step and grate it myself for better taste and texture
Tips and Tricks
I like to pure all the vegetables because that way my picky kids won’t find them, but you totally can leave the vegetables whole. Just cut them in about 1″ in size.
You might want to make a double batch of ribs. The leftovers make amazing tacos and quesadillas!
Braised Short Ribs with Cheesy Grits
Ingredients
- FOR THE RIBS
- 4Lb beef short ribs
- Extra Virgen olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh thyme and Rosemary sprigs
- 3 to 4 cups beef stock
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- FOR THE GRITS
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup of grits
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups freshly grated cheddar or Colby jack cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat. Season the ribs generously with salt and pepper and sear the ribs for about 3 minutes on each side. Add oil as needed. Don’t over crowd the ribs, work in batches if needed.
- While the ribs are browning add the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic in a food processor and pure until fine. Set aside.
- Remove the ribs from the pot and clean any burnt bits. Add 1 tablespoon of clean olive oil and cook the veggies until dry and start to come together in a paste. About 8 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and adobo sauce and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the herbs and stock and return the ribs to the pot. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook with the lid on for 2 to 2 ½ hrs. or until the ribs are very tender.
- While the ribs are cooking, make the grits: In a large pot bring the stock and milk to a boil and add the grits. Lower the heat to and cook for 10-15 minutes stirring frequently.
- Stir in the butter and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove the bones and tissue from the ribs and serve over the cheesy grits. Garnish with fresh thyme.
- Enjoy!
Yes! I know these ribs are good. I’ve cooked enough of them to know just by looking. The best tacos, better than barbacoa
are leftover rib meat tacos. Just as good is the rib meat re-marrinated in BBQ sauce on a bun with pickles, onion,
and side of mac salad or potato salad.