Cozy Sunday Dinner: Braised Short Ribs

There’s nothing quite like a cozy braised short ribs recipe simmering away on a slow Sunday afternoon. If you’re a work-from-home or homeschooling family looking for an easy, hands-off Sunday dinner recipe, this one delivers every time. These slow-cooked short ribs fill the house with rich, comforting aromas while you catch up on homeschooling, fold laundry, or simply settle into a quiet, rainy afternoon. With just a few minutes of prep, this hearty dish becomes a tender, fall-apart comfort meal your whole family will look forward to week after week.

The smell alone makes it feel like “Sunday.”

Why These Braised Short Ribs Are a Family Favorite

It’s also a surprisingly easy recipe. After searing the meat and adding broth, the dish just simmers low and slow — giving you time to homeschool, relax, or snuggle up on the couch with the kids and get in some quality reading! Our favorite reading for Sunday afternoons like this are spent on High Five magazines which the kids have a subscription for.

Ingredients for Tender, Flavorful Short Ribs

• Beef chuck short ribs
• 5–6 carrots
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp seasoning salt
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp pepper
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3–4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2–3 cups chicken stock

Step-by-Step Instructions for Braised Short Ribs

1. Season the short ribs with seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven or large pot. Sear the ribs on all sides for 2–3 minutes per side to lock in flavor.
3. Peel and chop carrots into quarters, and dice the onion.
4. Add the veggies to the pot with the seared ribs. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes.
5. Pour in chicken stock (just enough to mostly cover the meat and vegetables) and bring to a light simmer.
6. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 2.5–3 hours in a Dutch oven, or 4–5 hours on low in a slow cooker, until the meat is fork-tender.

Cooking Notes: Prep Time, Methods, and Tips

•Prep Time: 10–20 minutes, depending on whether your kids help and how leisurely you’re moving.

•Cook Time: 3–5 hours, depending on your method and tenderness preference.

•This recipe works beautifully in a Dutch oven, but you can also use a slow cooker or even finish it in the oven.

Weekday-Friendly for Work-From-Home Families

While this feels like a true Sunday dinner, it’s also a great option for a weekday — especially if you work from home. Spend 20 minutes prepping in the late morning, then let it slow cook while you work and homeschool. By the time dinner rolls around, you just need about 30 minutes to throw together your sides and serve.

What to Serve With Braised Short Ribs

We almost always serve our short ribs with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. And without fail: Sister Schubert’s rolls. Not sponsored — they’re just that good. And who doesn’t appreciate a little extra starch on a lazy Sunday?

Mashed Potatoes (Our Favorite Version)

1. Peel and boil 4–5 potatoes until fork-tender (about 20–25 minutes).
2. Drain and mash with:
   • 1/8 cup butter (about 1/4 stick)
   • Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
   • Sour cream instead of milk — our go-to twist (about 2 big spoonfuls)

Roasted Carrots and Easy Veggie Sides

1. Toss peeled carrots with olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of brown sugar.
2. Roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes.
3. The sweetness pairs beautifully with the savory ribs and creamy potatoes.
4. Other veggies we love: broccoli (a favorite with the kids), green beans, or oven roasted Brussels sprouts.

Homeschool Life: Family Cooking & Vintage Skills

We love involving our kids — peeling carrots, washing potatoes, and even chopping (our 6-year-old uses a kid-safe knife set we found on Amazon — not affiliated, just sharing!).

Cooking together lets us live out a kind of vintage homeschooling — where real-life skills like cooking, cleaning, and sewing are a part of the curriculum. These hands-on lessons are just as important as reading and math.

When my husband was in the military, he’d tell me how many grown men he shared living quarters with didn’t know how to make a bed or fold laundry. That stuck with us. We want our kids to grow up confident and capable in the kitchen — and in life.

Why This Cozy Dinner Stays in Our Rotation

Sure, we love a quick meal. We’re definitely always juggling a lot. Did I mention we also have a dog which requires regular brushing since he’s a big shedder? But our biggest challenge isn’t time — it’s variety. We all have those tried-and-true meals we rotate through. Sometimes, you just need something new.

This short rib dinner is hearty, flavorful, and a little different. We hope it earns a spot in your family’s rotation.

Share Your Favorite Cozy Sunday Meal

If you have a favorite cozy Sunday dinner, we’d love to hear it — drop it in the comments and help us add to our collection of comfort food favorites!