On the episode “Short Ribs and Baked Potatoes” on Cook’s Country Season 17, test cook Lawman Johnson shows Bridget Lancaster an ingenious method for making Slow-Roasted Medium-Rare Beef Short Ribs.

Serves 4

Plan ahead: The salted short ribs need to sit for at least 2 hours before cooking. You should have about 1½ pounds of meat after trimming.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SHORT RIBS: 

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt 
  • 1 tablespoon pepper 
  • 2 pounds boneless beef short ribs, 1½ to 2 inches thick, 2 inches wide, and 4 to 5 inches long, trimmed 
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 

FOR THE BROWNED BUTTER STEAK SAUCE: 

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallot 
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce 
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce 
  • 2 teaspoons pepper 

TO PREPARE

SHORT RIBS
STEP ONE. Combine salt and pepper in small bowl. Pat short ribs dry and sprinkle all over with salt mixture. Transfer to large plate, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

STEP TWO. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 275 degrees. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Evenly space short ribs on prepared rack. Roast until meat registers between 135 and 140 degrees, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.

BROWNED BUTTER STEAK SAUCE
STEP THREE. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking frequently, until milk solids in butter are color of milk chocolate and have nutty aroma, 3 to 5 minutes. Add shallot and garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and immediately whisk in Worcestershire, vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, soy sauce, and pepper; set aside.

STEP FOUR. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Sear short ribs until well browned on top and bottom, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to carving board and let rest for 5 minutes.

STEP FIVE. Reheat sauce over medium heat, whisking frequently, until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Slice short ribs against grain as thin as possible. Serve, passing sauce separately.