Alrighty friends, here we go on day four of our countdown to St. Patrick’s Day 2024! What I’ve got for you today is some classic comfort food at its finest – Guinness Braised Short Ribs. These rich, juicy ribs are slow braised for hours along with some delicious veg in that magic elixir – Guinness Stout. After a couple of hours, your patience will have paid off because these ribs will be juicy, fall off the bone tender. Seriously, they practically melt in your mouth. Served over some creamy mashed potatoes with lashings of the sauce for a hearty, warm you to your core feast!
This dish comes together so easily. Just chop some veg, sear the ribs, sweat the veg and then add in the Guinness. That’s it for the work. Then you just leave it simmering away on the stove top and let that Guinness work its magic. I served these ribs over creamy mashed potatoes, though polenta would also be tasty. Such a great winter warmer.
And speaking of winter, I did mention that we are just back from an awesome January get away to Ireland. I know folks might think January is not a good time for a visit, but I’m telling you that is not true. One great thing is that there are fewer crowds as well as off season prices. That’s awesome right. But I also want to let you know that TradFest takes place in Dublin every January. TradFest is a joyful celebration of Irish identity through music. Each January, it showcases the best of established and emerging musical talent at a landmark festival which is rooted in the historic and atmospheric setting of Temple Bar, Dublin’s cultural quarter. Experience live trad music sessions in some of the best live music pubs and venues in Dublin. And I have to say, even if you are a bit short on cash and can’t afford a ticket to one of the bigger shows, you can check out the Smithwick’s Sessions. These are free and unticketed shows in the best pubs and cosiest lounges of Temple Bar. The Husband and I were lucky enough to catch Ispíní na hÉireann (the Sausages of Ireland) at The Old Storehouse. The Old Storehouse is a great venue, kind of like three different pubs all rolled into one. They’ve got the cozy, intimate snug area, the lively main bar and then Flaherty’s Pub downstairs for bands. They also have a lovely covered outside area.
But let me take a moment to tell you about those Sausages. Ispíní na hÉireann are raucous and somewhat irreverent, their music music is a combination of original songs as well as reimagined covers and tunes, all influenced by the Irish musical tradition.
So if you are into Irish Traditional Music or just live music in general, you should check this out! But let me get back to those melt-in-your-mouth Guinness Braised Short Ribs.
The first time I served this dish (oh yes, the Husband and I had leftovers) I was all fancy and served one rib perched atop a mini mountain of mashed potatoes. After capturing the photos, I promptly removed the ribs from the pan, got rid of the bones and shredded the meat, which I then stirred back into that lovely sauce. We’re still serving it over the mashed potatoes, but it is a bit easier to work with now. So what are you waiting for, make up a big pot of this amazing winter warmer today!
Guinness Braised Short Ribs
Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 4 ounces diced pancetta
- 3 pounds Beef Short Ribs, bone-in
- 2 tablespoons Butter, unsalted
- 1 whole Onion, diced
- 2 whole Carrots, medium dice
- 16 ounce package Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 10 ounce can of Petite Diced Tomatoes
- 2 cans (14.9 Oz. Size) Guinness Stout
- 4 – 5 sprigs of thyme, leaves only
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper, to season
- 2 tablespoons Cornmeal
- Parsley to garnish
- Mashed potatoes – for serving
Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large dutch oven. Add the pancetta to the pan and fry until crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
Season the ribs on both sides with salt and pepper. Brown ribs on all sides, working in batches. Remove to platter and set aside.
Add two tablespoons butter to pan. Once melted, add the onion, carrots and mushrooms to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute or so. Then add the tin of diced tomatoes, as well as the two cans of Guinness Stout. Sprinkle in the thyme leaves, stir and bring to a low simmer. Nestle the browned ribs into the pan, reduce the heat to low and cook for approximately 2 1/2 – 3 hours.
Once again, remove the ribs from the pan to a serving platter. Place 2 Tablespoons cornmeal in a small dish and stir in some of the cooking liquid until you have a loose paste. Slowly stir this cornmeal mixture back into the pan and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened. Return the ribs to the pan.
To serve: Place one short rib on a portion of mashed potatoes. Ladle sauce over the top and garnish with some fresh parsley as well as the crispy reserved pancetta.
Enjoy!
***Hold up! Don’t go away just yet. I need to remind you that tomorrow Dublin based Rascalcook will be taking over the blog to tell you how to make an essential dish that simply everybody will be scarfing down come the wee hours of St. Patrick’s Day, after a night of consuming innumerable celebratory pints. You don’t want to miss this one!!!***
Links for Helpful Kitchen Tools & Ingredients for Guinness Braised Short Ribs:
*Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase*
Le Creuset Dutch Oven – I use a 9 oz. pan for this recipe
Potato Ricer – for the most creamy, perfect consistency mashed potatoes a potato ricer is essential!
Zipstrip Herb Stripper – make quick work of those thyme leaves
Crafty Celts – Love the utensils in the pics above? You can get a set for yourself at Crafty Celts where you will find handcrafted historically inspired bronze and silver jewelry, as well as gorgeous silverware. You might recognize some of their jewelry as it was featured in the Vikings television show.
Travel Planning Guide:
Getting there: Icelandair! We love Icelandair and have always had great experience with them. Icelandair flies to Dublin, Ireland. Take advantage of their Stopover program on your next flight to Europe.
Car Rental: New Way Car Hire – Love the all-inclusive pricing on these cars as well as the Dublin Airport pickup!
Accommodation: Number 31 – This luxurious hotel is half traditional Georgian townhouse and half modernist mews which are connected by a charming courtyard. The Georgian townhouse half is where we have always chosen to stay and we love the mildly eccentric jazz age flamboyance. The location of this decadent hideaway is also superb. It is steps from St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of the city. We would not dream of stying any where else and cannot wait to visit again!
Restaurants/ Cafés/ Bakeries/ Pubs:
Bar 1661 – Voted Ireland’s Bar of the Year in 2022! My favorite cocktail bar full stop! Not just in Ireland, but everywhere! Folks, if you are visiting Dublin and you like cocktails at all, this is an absolute must!!! The ambiance is in point, not to mention the historical significance as well as the absolute enthusiasm everyone there has for crafting exceptional cocktails! I will say, make sure you book a reservation. You do not want to miss this!
The Porterhouse -This large airy brewpub offers a wide selection of ales, lagers and stouts. It has a fun, folksy atmosphere and often you can catch some live music. They serve some tasty pub grub as well and some of the best chips I’ve had in Dublin.
The Old Storehouse – The Old Storehouse is a great venue, kind of like three different pubs all rolled into one. They’ve got the cozy, intimate snug area, the lively main bar and then Flaherty’s Pub downstairs for bands. They also have a lovely covered outside area.
Attractions:
TradFest – TradFest is a joyful celebration of Irish identity through music. Each January, it showcases the best of established and emerging musical talent at a landmark festival which is rooted in the historic and atmospheric setting of Temple Bar, Dublin’s cultural quarter. Over 50 live music concerts take place in some of the best pubs in Temple Bar, as well as key historical landmarks in Dublin.
Dublin Castle – 13 Century castle. Today Irish Govenment and Conference Center.
Grafton Street – One of the principal shopping streets in the city center. Mostly pedestrianised and lined with many cafes, shops and street performers.
Temple Bar- Busy riverside neighborhood with many pubs, restaurants and quirky boutiques.
Guinness Storehouse – Learn about the history of Ireland’s most iconic beer over seven floors. Enjoy 360 degree views of the city from the Gravity Bar!
Lea & Jay 
Oh the wonders of a beautiful dark beer!