Beer Braised Beef Ribs

This turned out to be one of my favorite ribs recipes yet. SO good!

Beer Braised Short Ribs

(makes 6 servings)

Ingredients

• 6 big, meaty short ribs (about 4-5lbs in total)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3lbs yellow onions, halved and sliced thin
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 bottles dark beer (like Guinness or Newcastle Brown Ale)
• 2 tablespoons Minute Tapioca
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 12 pitted prunes
• 3 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

1. Season the ribs with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half the ribs, meaty side down, and cook until well browned (about 5 minutes). Turn each rib on one side and cook until well browned (about 1 minute) then repeat with the remaining sides. Transfer the ribs to a slow cooker, arranging them meaty side down. Repeat with the remaining ribs.
2. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon fat from the skillet. Add butter and reduce the heat to medium. Once the butter has melted, add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned (25-30 minutes). Stir in the tomato paste and cook, coating the onions with the tomato paste until it begins to brown (about 4 minutes). Stir in the beer and bring to a simmer.
3. Cook, scraping off the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon until the foam subsides (about 5 minutes). Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the tapioca, bay leaves, cumin, paprika, 1 teaspoon thyme, garlic, soy sauce, and prunes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
4. Cook in the slow cooker, covered, on high for 4-5 hours or low for 10-11 hours. Transfer the ribs to a serving platter and strain the liquid into a bowl. Use a spoon to skim off any extra fat from the top of the liquid, then whisk in the mustard and remaining teaspoon thyme into the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour 1 cup of sauce over the ribs, then sprinkle the ribs with the parsley and serve with the remaining sauce on the side.
5. Enjoy! Recipe adapted from Epicurious by 12 Tomatoes