Budget-Friendly Coca-Cola Braised Beef Short Ribs

• •5 lb bone-in beef short ribs or chuck roast cut into large chunks (chuck roast is a fantastic budget-friendly substitute)
• •1 tbsp salt (or to taste)
• •1.5 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
• •2 tbsp vegetable oil (for searing)
• •2 piece yellow onions (sliced)
• •8 piece garlic (cloves, minced)
• •3 tbsp tomato paste
• •2 cup Coca-Cola (regular, not diet)
• •2 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
• •1 cup soy sauce (adds savory umami depth)
• •2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• •2 piece bay leaves
• •1 tsp dried thyme
• •2 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water, optional to thicken sauce)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the beef pieces completely dry with paper towels and season generously on all sides with salt and black pepper.

2. 2

   Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy oven-safe roasting pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid crowding, sear the beef for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply browned with a dark crust. Transfer seared meat to a large plate.

3. 3

   Lower the stovetop heat to medium. Add the sliced onions to the remaining pan drippings and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. 4

   Pour in the Coca-Cola, beef broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, using a wooden spoon to thoroughly scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the bay leaves and dried thyme.

5. 5

   Return the beef and any accumulated resting juices back into the pot, nestling them down into the braising liquid. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.

6. 6

   Cover the pot tightly with a heavy lid (or a double layer of aluminum foil) and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise undisturbed until the meat is fork-tender and pulls apart easily, about 2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Carefully remove the pot from the oven. Discard the bay leaves. If you prefer a thicker gravy, transfer the meat to a serving platter, place the pot on the stovetop over medium heat, stir in the cornstarch slurry, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thick and glossy. Spoon the sauce generously over the beef before serving.

Chef's Tips

• 💡To keep costs low, buy a whole beef chuck roast on sale and cut it into 3-inch chunks; it braises to the same melt-in-your-mouth tenderness as traditional bone-in short ribs.
• 💡Serve alongside fluffy steamed white rice or mashed potatoes to soak up all of the sweet and savory Coca-Cola gravy.
• 💡This dish tastes even better the next day! You can make it 24 hours in advance, chill it overnight, easily skim off the solidified surface fat, and reheat gently before serving.