Short Rib Marbella: The Ultimate Modern Spin On A Classic Recipe (2024)

Short Rib Marbella: The Ultimate Modern Spin On A Classic Recipe (1)

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This holiday season, I've been focusing on a recipe that takes a classic dish and elevates it to all new levels using one of my favorite ingredients, California Prunes. This Short Rib Marbella is not just an adaptation of the classic Chicken Marbella; it's a reinvention that promises both complexity and depth in flavor.

{{The recipe for this Short Rib Marbellaand the post that goes with it was made in partnership withCalifornia Prunes!We received compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. If we don’t love it, you don’t hear about it. Thanks for your continued support! }}

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Short Ribs Demystified: A Rich and Tender Delight

What are short ribs? Let's cut through the confusion: short ribs are a beef cut, primarily known for their rich flavor and tenderness when cooked properly. Short ribs typically come from the cow's brisket, chuck, plate, or rib areas, and are ideal for slow cooking methods.

How many short ribs per person? One to two short ribs per person is the sweet spot, balancing richness with portion control.

Are you curious what to look for when shopping for short ribs? When shopping for short ribs, consider several key factors to ensure you select the best quality meat for your recipe. First, look for short ribs with a good amount of marbling – the white flecks of fat within the meat – as this is crucial for flavor and tenderness. The meat should be a vibrant red color, which indicates freshness.

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Short Rib Marbella: A Modern Spin On Chicken Marbella

The classic dish Chicken Marbella was the most popular dish on the menu at theSilver Palate Cafe in NYC back in the day. It wasn't until 1982 when the cookbook inspired by the restaurant was published that the recipe for Chicken Marbella became nationally known and incredibly popular.

My Quick and Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Marbellais one of our most popular sheet pan recipes. It is made with sweet prunes, green olives, and capers.This retro redo is a simple chicken dinner idea that packsBIG, BOLD flavor with minimal effort.

Click here for my Sheet Pan Chicken Marbella recipe.

Beans Marbella

I created this plant-powered spin on the iconic Chicken Marbella recipe for California Grown. It's filled with tender California-grownbeansand roasted fingerling potatoes. This briny-sweet dish is the perfect cooking project for when you have a bit more time and are in the mood for a truly hearty meal.

Click here for a vegetarian spin on Marbella.
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My new Marbella-inspired recipe for Short Rib Marbella uses beef short ribs instead of the traditional chicken. This switch brings a robust beefy flavor to the table and allows for a longer, slower cooking process, which creates a more tender and flavorful short rib.

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California Prunes: A Culinary Powerhouse

A remarkable 97% of the United States prunes and 44% of the world's supply come from California. This fruit, introduced from France during the Gold Rush, has become a cornerstone of the Golden State's agricultural scene.

California prunes' natural sweetness and moisture content are perfect for reducing added sugars and fats in all sorts of sweet and savory recipes.

Prunes complement rich and complex flavors like espresso, chocolate, and chilies, making them an excellent addition to savory dishes like this one.

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Crafting the Perfect Short Rib Marbella

The process of braising the short ribs and balancing the sweetness of the prunes with the savory depth of the olives and briny capers is key to achieving the perfect balance of flavors. The task of preparing this recipe isn't overwhelming at all, it's actually pretty easy.

You don't have to take my word for it though; check out the step-by-step tutorial below!

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The ingredient list for Short Rib Marbella

  • 2 pounds short ribs, bone-in (four pieces)
  • 1 cup red wine
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 cup leeks, white bulb, diced
  • 1 ½ cups California prunes
  • 1 cup ripe green olives
  • ¼ cup capers, plus 2 tablespoons caper brine
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • salt and black pepper
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What pairs best with Short Rib Marbella?

I love serving this Marbella with a glass of red wine and mashed or roasted sweet potatoes.

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  • Which wine pairs best with Marbella? You could pair any wine you love with this recipe and it will be perfect. But at my table, I prefer to pair this dish with red wine.
  • Perfect Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Tender and sweet, oven-roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect canvas for all sorts of toppings.But did you know there's asecret to making the perfectsweet potato?Click here to learn how to make the best sweet potatoes you've ever had.
  • Oven Roasted Potatoes: This 5-ingredient recipe requires very little hands-on time and almost effortlessly creates potatoes that are ultra-crispy on the outside and smooth and silky on the inside! Literally, it's like biting through a perfectly crisp French fry to reveal creamy mashed potatoes inside. Click here for this delicious recipe.
If you’ve made this recipe for Marbella I would be so grateful if you wouldrate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below!

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Short Rib Marbella

Short Rib Marbella: The Ultimate Modern Spin On A Classic Recipe (21)

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A delightful twist on the classic Chicken Marbella. Tender bone-in short ribs and their beefy flavors harmonize beautifully with the traditional combination of caramelized California prunes, briny green olives, and capers, all smothered in a luscious red wine and vinegar reduction.

  • Author: This Mess is Ours
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 2.5 hours
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Braised
  • Cuisine: American

2 pounds short ribs, bone-in (4 pieces)

1 cup red wine

½ cup red wine vinegar

1 cup leeks, white bulb, diced

1 ½ cups California prunes, pitted, halved, separated

1 cup ripe green olives, pitted, whole

¼ cup capers

2 tablespoons caper brine

6 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons dried oregano

⅓ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter

salt and black pepper

Instructions

Braising the short ribs:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper. Set them aside.

Heat a large, oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil to the pot and sear the short ribs on all sides until they develop a rich, brown crust. Once seared, remove the short ribs from the Dutch oven and set them aside.

In the same Dutch oven, add the diced leeks and 1 cup of the halved prunes. Saute the leeks and prunes until the prunes begin to caramelize and release their sweetness.

Pour in the red wine and red wine vinegar, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it reduces slightly.

Stir in the green olives, capers, caper brine, minced garlic, bay leaves, dried oregano, and brown sugar. Mix everything well to combine the flavors.

Return the seared short ribs to the Dutch oven, placing them bone-side down in the mixture. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Let the ribs braise for 2 to 2.5 hours or until tender and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.

Creating the Sauce:

Once the short ribs are done, remove them from the Dutch oven and set them aside to keep warm.

Strain the liquid and solids from the Dutch oven, reserving the broth. Return the liquid to the Dutch oven and place it on the stovetop over low heat.

Add the cold butter to the liquid in the Dutch oven. Stir constantly until the butter melts and emulsifies into the sauce, creating a rich, glossy texture.

Add the remaining ½ cup of prunes to the sauce to start hydrating in the hot liquid.

Reintroduce the olives, leeks, and capers back into the sauce once the butter is fully emulsified, stirring gently to combine.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper, if needed.

Serve the braised short ribs with the luscious, flavorful sauce drizzled over the top.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 715
  • Sugar: 17.1 g
  • Sodium: 1365.6 mg
  • Fat: 24.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 70 g
  • Protein: 48.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 181.3 mg

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Short Rib Marbella: The Ultimate Modern Spin On A Classic Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is special about short ribs? ›

Beef short ribs are a cut of beef that comes from the chuck, plate, rib, or brisket section of a cow. They earned their name because they contain “short” pieces of rib bones encased in meat. While they offer less meat than steak, they have more meat than other beef rib varieties.

Can you overcook beef short ribs? ›

Don't Overcook the Beef.

Believe it or not, it is possible to braise short ribs for too long. While you want the short ribs to be fall-apart tender, cooking them too long will result in ribs that are mushy.

What can I use to substitute short ribs? ›

One possible substitute for short rib is beef chuck roast. This cut of meat has a similar marbling and tenderness that can withstand long cooking times. When cooked low and slow, beef chuck roast can develop a rich and succulent flavor that closely resembles that of short rib.

What is a good binder for beef short ribs? ›

You want as much skin exposed as you can without taking off too much! Come along with your binder, this can be olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and apply it to both sides.

Should I salt short ribs before cooking? ›

Salt the meat! We like to dry brine our beef ribs. Just as we would with any BBQ meat, dry brine beef ribs a few hours before cooking, preferably overnight or even longer. We use the standard amount of ½ teaspoon coarse Kosher salt per pound of meat or half that when using table salt (1/4 tsp per pound of meat).

What cut of meat do restaurants use for braised short ribs? ›

“Short” ribs come from the beef chuck portion of a cow and there are usually five of these small pieces of meat that are too small to be sold as good steaks. So, they are exactly what the name implies; short (small) ribs. Braising is a cooking method where you brown the meat and simmer it on low heat.

What makes short ribs tender? ›

Because short ribs require long, slow cooking for tenderness and flavor, braising is the perfect technique for cooking them. Most recipes are quite easy—once you've put everything on to simmer, the slow, moist heat does the work.

Are beef short ribs worth it? ›

Beef short ribs are like the most flavorful, delectable, tender, soft pot roast. And really, if you make 'em right, the stick is only incidental; the meat falls off the bone if you so much as breathe on it. Oh, is it ever a comfort food.

Should short ribs be covered in liquid? ›

You want liquid to come about a quarter and no higher than half way up the side of the meat. Because of the curvature of the dino ribs, we'll be cooking them on their sides, so they make a crescent in the pan. Then, of course, you must cook them. Cover the pan in which you are braising and put the ribs in the oven.

Why isn't my short rib falling apart? ›

If they aren't braised long enough, they can be super tough to eat; if they are cooked too long, the meat will just fall apart. The key to preparing short ribs is to cook them until they reach a point that is just before they would fall apart.

Why boil short ribs before cooking? ›

Boiling makes it easier to get that skin and membrane off the inner ribs before you cook them too. Some recipes will call for you to simmer the ribs a bit longer, around 60 minutes. Doing it this way will greatly reduce the cooking time once you get them on the grill.

What are short ribs called in grocery store? ›

They may also be known as barbecue ribs, braising ribs, or fancy cut ribs. A section of short ribs from the plate (ribs six through eight, with their intercostal muscle) is known as a "short plate". Rib short ribs are almost always sold as a plate.

How do you make short ribs less chewy? ›

add juice & BBQ sauce before you wrap. Toss them back on and finish them. They will steam in the foil and be tender. Beef ribs aren't quite as fatty as Pork ribs, so don't skip the juice...

Are short ribs healthy? ›

Are Short Ribs Healthy? Red meat is a source of quality protein and is rich in iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and selenium. Protein boosts bone health and metabolism, aids digestion, supports muscle growth and helps promote satiety after eating a meal.

What do you eat with beef ribs? ›

39 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Barbecue Ribs
  • 01 of 39. Southern-Style Potato Salad. DOTDASH MEREDITH. ...
  • 02 of 39. Cornbread Muffins. ...
  • 03 of 39. Smoky-Sweet Baked Beans. ...
  • 04 of 39. Deviled Egg Pasta Salad. ...
  • 05 of 39. Classic Coleslaw. ...
  • 06 of 39. Sidney's Potato Salad. ...
  • 07 of 39. Macaroni Corn Casserole. ...
  • 08 of 39. Grilled Corn On The Cob.
Jan 23, 2024

How many short ribs per person? ›

You'll need about three-quarters of a pound of bone-in short ribs per person.

What is the difference between beef ribs and beef short ribs? ›

Short ribs are shorter and flatter while the back ribs are longer and curved. The other difference is in the amount of meat that is on each type of rib. Short ribs will have less meat because they come from the chuck primal which is a tougher section of the cow.

Are beef short ribs a cheap cut? ›

Short ribs are like a steak, but the price point is a lot cheaper. They're easy to put together — when you cook short ribs, it's really hard to screw them up.

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