Description

Cozy and comforting Apple Cider Braised Short Ribs paired with creamy rosemary-infused mashed sweet potatoes. Tender beef short ribs are slow-braised in a spiced apple cider bath featuring cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, delivering warm autumn flavors. Served over fluffy, buttery sweet potatoes, this dish is perfect for a hearty fall meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the short ribs:

3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
Salt & pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed
3 cups spiced apple cider
1 cup beef stock
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise pods
4 whole cloves

For the mashed sweet potatoes:

4 large sweet potatoes, peeled & cubed
4 tbsp butter
2 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
½ cup heavy cream
Salt, to taste

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Instructions

Sear Short Ribs: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, then sear them in the hot oil until browned on all sides. Remove the ribs and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped onion, carrots, and smashed garlic. Cook until fragrant and the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
Deglaze and Add Liquids: Pour in the spiced apple cider to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom. Add the beef stock, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and whole cloves to the pot. Return the short ribs to the pot, ensuring they are partially submerged.
Braise the Short Ribs: Cover the pot with a lid and place it in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C). Braise the short ribs for 2.5 to 3 hours until they are fall-off-the-bone tender.
Prepare Mashed Sweet Potatoes: While the ribs braise, boil the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in salted water until they are soft, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot.
Mash and Flavor: Mash the sweet potatoes with butter, minced fresh rosemary, heavy cream, and salt to taste. Whip until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Serve: Plate the mashed sweet potatoes and top with the tender short ribs. Spoon some of the rich spiced cider sauce over the ribs and potatoes for extra flavor.

Notes

Spiced apple cider can be homemade by simmering apple cider with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves if you want extra flavor.
For easier cleanup, use an oven-safe braising pot or Dutch oven.
Make sure to brown the short ribs well for deeper flavor.
Fresh rosemary can be substituted with dried, but reduce quantity by half as dried herbs are more potent.
This dish can be made a day ahead; reheat gently before serving to allow flavors to meld.