Clean recipe · elaraeats.com
Savory Beer-Braised Short Rib Tacos
Tender, malty beer-braised short ribs served in warm tortillas with tangy pickled red onions, perfect for a comforting and flavorful taco night.
Original recipe: elaraeats.com
- Yield:
- 12 servings
- Prep:
- 15 min
- Cook:
- 3 hr
- Total:
- 3 hr 15 min
Adjust servings, check off ingredients, and save a copy in the recipe reader.

Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef short ribs, bone-in
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces craft beer (malty amber ale recommended)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- Crumbled queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Pat the short ribs dry and season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear ribs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add chopped onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in craft beer and scrape browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and cumin.
- Return ribs to the pot, nestle into liquid, cover with lid, and braise in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 2.5 to 3 hours until fork-tender.
- While ribs braise, combine apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, water, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Heat until sugar and salt dissolve. Pour hot liquid over sliced onions and let cool. Refrigerate until serving.
- Remove ribs from liquid, shred meat with two forks, discarding bones and excess fat. Reduce braising liquid on stovetop if too thin and drizzle over meat.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp towel.
- Assemble tacos with shredded meat, pickled red onions, cilantro, cheese if using, and lime wedges.