Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes

A slow-cooked meat dish is always the perfect way to end a chilly day, and my Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes recipe do not disappoint. These slowly braised melt-in-your-mouth short ribs are seared and cooked alongside rich veggies and roasted apples in a BBQ and wine-based sauce. A new favorite comforting meal for cozy evenings! Completely Dairy-free + Gluten-free. Slow cooker + Make Ahead option.

Lately, I've been thoroughly enjoying using my Dutch oven to prepare hearty stews and soups during the colder months. There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of comfort for dinner, and the Dutch oven proves to be the ideal kitchen companion for such cozy occasions!

Lately, my go-to favorite meal has been the Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes. Picture rich, tender short ribs simmered in a thick, spicy sauce, accompanied by buttery whole potatoes and oven-roasted sweet apples. If you're also enjoying the Dutch oven life, I highly recommend giving my 'Marry Me' Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup and Authentic Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken a try next!

This delicious dish is essentially a one-pot meal, aside from roasting the apples. Roasting your apples prior to adding them to the stew adds a depth of smokiness and caramelization to the short ribs, making them some of the most flavorful ribs you have ever tasted!

Family-friendly + easily prepared ahead of time (I personally adore letting the flavors meld overnight in the fridge), it's the perfect healthy and comforting meal for the whole family to enjoy.

Making Tender Melt-In-Your-Mouth Ribs

Short ribs are different than your typical baby back ribs. While both need lots of cooking time, short ribs typically have more meat on the bone. You will often see baby back ribs served on the rack with BBQ sauce, whereas short ribs are served in a variety of ways.

One common way to make short ribs is by braising them for a long period of time. My Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes are exactly that! Using my favorite Dutch oven, I begin the ribs by searing them on the stove to seal in juices and flavor. Then, I transfer the whole dish to the oven to finish cooking for 3 ½-4 hours. The ribs are juicy and tender every time using this method!

Ingredients For Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes

For the Braised Ribs:

• Bone-in beef short ribs. Adds richness + succulent meat that falls off the bone.
• Extra virgin olive oil. Used for sautéing the aromatics and searing the short ribs, adding depth of flavor. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Red onion.
• Garlic cloves. Minced.
• Carrots. Peeled + chopped
• Bell pepper. Offers sweetness.
• Baby potatoes. Skin on + halved---adds heartiness and texture to the dish
• BBQ sauce. Homemade or store-bought. See below for how to make it from scratch!
• Sea salt + black pepper.
• Organic beef stock. Provides depth and richness to the sauce.
• Onion powder + garlic powder. Adds savory umami flavors.
• White cooking wine. Adds acidity and depth!
• Dried parsley. You can also use fresh if you prefer!
• Smoked paprika. Provides a smoky flavor

For the Roasted Apples:

• Gala apples. Sliced with skin on.
• Extra virgin olive oil.
• Spices. Ground cinnamon, nutmeg + allspice

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE RIBS!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes. Everything from my dutch oven, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Make Homemade BBQ Sauce

To make your own BBQ sauce for these ribs is rather simple and doesn't require a lot. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 (15 oz.) can of tomato sauce
• ¾ cups water
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsps sriracha sauce
• 2 tsps ground mustard
• ⅓ cup agave syrup
• 2 Tbsps pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

DIRECTIONS: Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat and whisk together until it begins to boil. Reduce heat to low-medium and let everything simmer for about 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Once thickened enough to desired consistency, remove from heat and let cool. Set aside until ready to use or store remainder in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Cooking With Dutch Ovens

My Dutch oven is one of my most treasured kitchen tools. Every cook, from novice to expert, should have a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven in their arsenal! They make so many different types of dishes and really come in handy. From this easy ribs recipe to Braised Steak Ragu , Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie, and Easy Chicken Pot Pie are just a few of my go-to Dutch oven recipes.

WHAT IS A DUTCH OVEN?

A Dutch oven is a thick-walled pot with a tight-fitting lid, perfect for making soups, stews, and curries! Both the lid and pot are heat-proof and typically oven-safe, depending on the brand. That means Dutch ovens can make almost any dish.. including desserts like this Dutch Apple Pie!

Can I Use A Slow Cooker?

Certainly, slow cooking works wonders and takes this ribs recipe to the next level of convenience----Simply follow the same steps, ensuring to sear your ribs and aromatics like garlic and onion before combining all the ingredients and letting them simmer to perfection.

Why You Will LOVE Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes

• Tender + succulent ribs infused with BBQ sauce.
• Buttery potatoes and sweet, oven-roasted apples add depth to each bite.
• A comforting one-pot meal that's perfect for cozy evenings.
• Delivers a perfect balance of sweet + savory flavors.
• Easy to prepare and sure to satisfy your cravings.
• SO comforting + cozy
• It's simply downright delicious!

What To Serve This Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes Alongside?

When it comes to serving this mouthwatering tender ribs dish, there are some options that will truly elevate your meal. First off, don't forget to have some crusty bread on hand. I love this Homemade Roasted Garlic Bread or Brown Butter Pumpkin Cornbread. Trust me; you'll want to dip it into that luscious, saucy goodness. Brown rice, or Basmati rice also pairs with this beautifully if you want to keep things gluten-free.

If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like this Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad. It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements the dish beautifully.

But here's the thing---This Braised Apple BBQ Ribs recipe is so darn amazing that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the slow-cooked meat, the aromatic sauce + the hearty buttery potatoes—everything is just bursting with flavor. So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!

Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes Q + A's

Other Wholesome + Hearty Recipes You'll Love

If you like this Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes dish, then you will love some of my other favorites!

• Meatless Pumpkin Skillet Lasagna
• Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza
• Jerk Vegetable Farro Bowl with Maple-Herb Apples
• Jerk Turkey Burgers with Candied Bacon
• Creamy Roasted Garlic Kale Pasta with Parmesan
• Lemon Herb Roasted Chickpeas + Bucatini 
• Sweet Potato Pasta Skillet
• Weeknight Tomato Kale Ravioli Bake

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes

October 21, 2021 •

By Shanika

5 from 1 vote

A slow-cooked meat dish is always the perfect way to end a chilly day, and my Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes do not disappoint. These slowly braised melt-in-your-mouth short ribs are seared and cooked alongside rich veggies and roasted apples in a BBQ and wine-based sauce. A new favorite comforting meal for cozy evenings! Completely Dairy-free + Gluten-free. Slow cooker option.

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 3 hours hrs

Total Time: 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Serves: 6 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

• 5 lbs. bone-in beef short ribs, cut crosswise into 2-pieces
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• ½ red onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled + chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 lbs. baby potatoes, skin on + halved
• 4 cups BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought
• 3 Tbsps white cooking wine
• 1 cup organic beef stock
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

ROASTED APPLES:

• 2 Gala apples, sliced w/ skin on
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

Instructions

TO MAKE RIBS:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Season short ribs with salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and paprika.
• Add oil to a large Dutch oven (oven-safe) over medium-high heat and once heated, add the onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add in the carrots and red peppers, continuing to sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Remove veggies from Dutch oven and onto a plate. Set aside.
• Add in the short ribs (meatiest side down) and cook until golden brown before flipping it to the opposite side to brown.
• Once all ribs are golden and brown, add back in the sautéed veggies along with the beef stock, BBQ sauce, and cooking wine, stirring everything together until sauce becomes dark and combined. Add in the baby potatoes and stir again.
• Remove from heat and add the Dutch oven to the preheated oven, cooking everything for 2/12 to 3 hours, stirring slightly every 30 minutes to ensure that meat isn't sticking to pot or burning.
• In the meantime, roast your apples.

TO ROAST APPLES:

• Add the sliced apples, olive oil, and seasonings in a bowl, mixing everything together until apples are fully coated.
• Place apples unto a baking sheet lined with parchment, and bake until the apples are golden-brown and still a bit crunchy, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Once done, remove roasted apples from oven and add them into the Dutch oven with ribs, stirring them in a bit until incorporated.
• Let ribs continue to cook until allotted time.
• Once ribs have become extremely tender along with the veggies, remove everything from the oven and serve immediately unto a platter.
• Serve with your favorite salad or side of veggies and enjoy!
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE: To make your own BBQ sauce, see my recipe for BBQ Cauliflower Wings.
• STORAGE (BBQ SAUCE):Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 1208kcal | Carbohydrates: 119g | Protein: 78g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 223mg | Sodium: 2703mg | Potassium: 2724mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 73g | Vitamin A: 4649IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 11mg

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