Citrus and Chile Braised Short Ribs

Tender, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs braised in a flavorful citrus and chile sauce. This dish combines the rich heartiness of beef with bright orange and lime notes, complemented by aromatic spices and fresh herbs.

6 servings

8 hr 17 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•8 piece English-style bone-in beef short ribs
•1 to taste Kosher salt and pepper
•2 tablespoons vegetable oil
•2 medium onions
•2 heads garlic
•4 stalks celery
•2 medium carrots
•2 tablespoons tomato paste
•1 teaspoon coriander seeds
•1 teaspoon cumin seeds
•7 whole chiles de árbol
•4 sprigs oregano
•4 strips orange zest
•1 cup fresh orange juice
•2 whole limes
•½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Cooking Instructions

1.
Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and chill, uncovered, at least 2 hours (ribs are even better if you can do this a day ahead).
120 min
2.
Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium. Working in batches, cook short ribs until evenly browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a platter; pour off pan drippings between batches.
30 min
3.
Wipe out any burned bits from pot, but leave the golden-brown pieces (doing this will keep the finished sauce from tasting bitter). Place onions, garlic, celery, carrots, tomato paste, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and 6 chiles in pot; season with salt and pepper and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are softened, tomato paste is slightly darkened in color, and spices are fragrant, 10-12 minutes.
12 min
4.
Add oregano, wide strips of orange zest, 1 cup orange juice, and 6 cups water to pot, scraping up any browned bits; season with salt and pepper. Add ribs with any juices accumulated on the platter, making sure they're completely submerged. Cover pot and braise ribs in the oven until meat is tender and falling off the bone, 4-5 hours.
300 min
5.
Carefully transfer ribs to a platter. Strain braising liquid into a large bowl, then return to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half (it will be thickened but still saucy). Return short ribs to pot and turn to coat.
30 min
6.
To serve, drizzle short ribs with remaining 2 tablespoons orange juice and squeeze limes and crush remaining chile over. Top with cilantro and thin strips of orange zest.
5 min
7.
Short ribs can be braised 5 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill in strained braising liquid.

Ingredients

•8 piece English-style bone-in beef short ribs

•1 to taste Kosher salt and pepper

•2 tablespoons vegetable oil

•2 medium onions

•2 heads garlic

•4 stalks celery

•2 medium carrots

•2 tablespoons tomato paste

•1 teaspoon coriander seeds

•1 teaspoon cumin seeds

•7 whole chiles de árbol

•4 sprigs oregano

•4 strips orange zest

•1 cup fresh orange juice

•2 whole limes

•½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Cooking Instructions

Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and chill, uncovered, at least 2 hours (ribs are even better if you can do this a day ahead).

120 min

Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium. Working in batches, cook short ribs until evenly browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a platter; pour off pan drippings between batches.

30 min

Wipe out any burned bits from pot, but leave the golden-brown pieces (doing this will keep the finished sauce from tasting bitter). Place onions, garlic, celery, carrots, tomato paste, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and 6 chiles in pot; season with salt and pepper and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are softened, tomato paste is slightly darkened in color, and spices are fragrant, 10-12 minutes.

12 min

Add oregano, wide strips of orange zest, 1 cup orange juice, and 6 cups water to pot, scraping up any browned bits; season with salt and pepper. Add ribs with any juices accumulated on the platter, making sure they're completely submerged. Cover pot and braise ribs in the oven until meat is tender and falling off the bone, 4-5 hours.

300 min

Carefully transfer ribs to a platter. Strain braising liquid into a large bowl, then return to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half (it will be thickened but still saucy). Return short ribs to pot and turn to coat.

30 min

To serve, drizzle short ribs with remaining 2 tablespoons orange juice and squeeze limes and crush remaining chile over. Top with cilantro and thin strips of orange zest.

5 min

Short ribs can be braised 5 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill in strained braising liquid.