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Short Rib Sliders with Balsamic Cranberry Sauce

These melt-in-your-mouth short rib sliders with a tangy balsamic cranberry sauce are perfect for easy entertaining and crowd-pleasing comfort food.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Short Ribs
  • 3 lbs beef short ribs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 count onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Balsamic Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
For the Sliders
  • 12 count Slider buns
  • Sliced cheese (optional, recommend cheddar or blue cheese)
  • Fresh arugula or spinach for a pop of color and nutrition

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs until they have a nice brown crust on all sides.
Cooking Short Ribs
  1. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes until fragrant and soft.
  2. Pour in the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
  2. Cook over medium heat until the berries burst and the sauce thickens, about 15-20 minutes.
Final Steps
  1. Once the short ribs are tender and easily shredded, remove them from the pot and allow to cool slightly before shredding the meat.
  2. Return the shredded meat to the pot and mix into the remaining juices.
  3. Toast the slider buns lightly if desired. Assemble by adding shredded short ribs, a dollop of balsamic cranberry sauce, and optionally a slice of cheese. Top with fresh arugula and the other half of the bun.

Notes

Don’t rush the ribs; slow cooking is key to flavor. Experiment with the sauce for added heat. Pair sliders with sweet potato fries or salad for a complete meal.