For Richer Short Ribs, Reach For A Can Of Soup And A Beer

For fall-off-the-bone short ribs, a low and slow cooking method will do the trick. And braising beef ribs keeps them moist, imparts a multitude of flavors, and provides the opportunity to turn the cooking liquid into a luscious gravy. But instead of just reaching for stock or water, you can instantly upgrade the flavor of short ribs by adding a can of beer and onion soup to your crock pot.

Beer isn't just a beverage to pair with short ribs, it's also famously used in beefy recipes like a bowl of chili. Its many unique savory, sweet, and herbal tasting notes lend depth to the umami-richness of the short ribs. Onion soup is another secret weapon to upgrade a range of dishes, from pasta sauces to gravies. In fact, onion soup recipes have a beef broth base which is a common braising liquid for slow-cooked short ribs. So you not only get the aromatic boost from the onion, but you also get beef broth to bolster the beefiness of the ribs. You could even use a packet of onion soup mix to season the short ribs before browning them. You can also use onion soup mix and beef broth like we do in the braising liquid for pot roast.

Whether you're using a slow-cooker or a big braising pot, all you have to do is brown the short ribs before adding a can of beer and onion soup along with any additional seasonings to simmer away for a few hours.

If you don't have a short rib recipe to try these ingredients on, swap red wine and beef broth in this recipe for beef short ribs for a can of beer and onion soup for a delicious transformation. If you're wondering what type of beer to use for the task, the possibilities are endless. Lager offers a subtle flavor complement. But you can also use a dark beer with a heavier constitution and bolder flavor to stand up to the robust umami of short ribs. For example, we use a dark stout, in this recipe for Guinness braised beef ribs, infusing the braising liquid with spicy chilies for even more depth of flavor.

Balance the bitter hops of beer and the aromatic tang of onion soup with additional ingredients. Add a teaspoon or two of tomato puree to the braising liquid to bring yet another umami-rich element that, over time, will become a little sweet. Speaking of sweet, brown sugar would also work wonders to complement the savoriness of the onion, beer, and beef. It will bring caramelized flavors that'll play up caramel tasting notes common in beer and transform the tangy soup into a rich caramelized onion braising liquid. You can also create an herb pouch with sprigs of thyme, garlic cloves, bay leaves, and black peppercorns to add to the braising liquid, too.