Go Back

Holiday Cranberry Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Mash

Tender beef short ribs braised in a festive cranberry-red wine sauce, served over luxurious creamy mashed potatoes—perfect holiday comfort food.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 780
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Short Ribs
  • 4-5 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
Mashed Potatoes
  • 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 0.75 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup sour cream optional

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Tongs
  • Potato masher
  • Large pot

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Season short ribs with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear ribs in hot oil in Dutch oven until browned. Remove.
  3. Sauté onion and garlic in same pot.
  4. Add cranberries, wine, broth, vinegar, sugar. Return ribs and add herbs.
  5. Cover and braise in oven 2.5-3 hours until tender.
  6. Boil and mash potatoes with butter, cream, and sour cream. Season.
  7. Discard herbs from ribs. Serve over mashed potatoes with sauce.

Notes

Can be made in slow cooker on low for 8 hours. Make ahead for better flavor.