Beef Short Ribs in Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce

Gluten free cooks need great recipes in every category and this winter dish is one of those recipes. Braised in the oven for hours the aroma of these Beef Short Ribs in Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce fills the house and the reward is fork-tender deliciousness. Make it on a day you don't have to leave the house.

I keep dried ancho chiles in my pantry for a handful of favourite recipes. I use them to make Ancho Chile Gravy, the gravy I serve with my holiday turkey and also put on my version of poutine.

🌶 Ingredients

Look for dried chiles at a well stocked grocery store, or Mexican or Latin American market. The chipotle chilies in adobo sauce are the secret ingredient to make homemade chipotle mayo and if you've never made that, you should!

☕️ Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce

• ancho chiles (or New Mexico chiles)
• onion
• garlic
• canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce 
• maple syrup
• lime juice

🐂 Beef Short Ribs

• beef short ribs
• brewed coffee

See recipe card for exact amounts.

The Benefits of Braising

Alberta is known for the best beef in the world and that's where I live. I've enjoyed every cut of beef and cooked it with every method you can think of. Braising is simply cooking meat in liquid over low heat for several hours and this method transforms less tender cuts of meat into fork-tender deliciousness.

The liquid in this recipe involves rich, dark coffee, soaking liquid from the ancho chiles and maple syrup. To me this combination of ingredients creates a memorable sauce that makes me repeat this dish year after year.

Fresh vs Dried Chiles

Fresh poblano chiles are a dark green colour with a rounded end. When they’re dried the name changes and they become ancho chiles. I use both the fresh and dried chiles for the recipes that make up my entire turkey feast so after many years I finally know exactly what I need when I go to the store.

Canned Chipotle Chiles

Everyone loves these little smoked jalapeños and thanks to chipotle mayo for popularizing them. If you want more ideas of where to use these checkout this post, Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce vs Chipotle Powder.

I guarantee the aroma of these slow cooked ribs will have everyones mouth watering. Let me know in the comments below if you are excited to try these.

Beef Short Ribs in Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce

This is slow food at it's finest! The aroma is wonderful on a cold winter day, the ribs will be the icing on the cake.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: coffee ancho chile sauce

Prep Time: 50 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 351kcal

Author: Cinde Little

Ingredients

Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce

• ▢ 2 dried ancho chiles (or New Mexico chiles)
• ▢ 1½ cups boiling water
• ▢ ½ onion, cut in 4
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon pureed canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (2-3 chipotle chiles)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ▢ ½ tablespoon lime juice
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt

BEEF SHORT RIBS

• ▢ 3 lbs beef short ribs
• ▢ salt and pepper
• ▢ ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
• ▢ ½ cup brewed coffee
• ▢ reserved chile soaking liquid

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Instructions

Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce

• Pour boiling water over ancho chiles. Let soak until soft, about 20 minutes.
• Remove chile from water. When cool enough to handle remove stem and seeds, discard. Set chiles aside. Reserve soaking liquid.
• In a blender or food processor puree ancho chiles, onion, garlic, chipotle chile puree, maple syrup, lime juice and salt. Set aside.

Beef Short Ribs

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Generously sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in pan with high sides over medium-high heat. Brown ribs in batches, turning as needed. As they are browned transfer them to a single layer in a large roasting pan.
• When all ribs are browned add chile mixture and reduce heat to low. Cook stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
• Add reserved soaking liquid and coffee. Stir to combine and pour over ribs.
• Cover roasting pan tightly with foil. Cook in preheated oven for 3-3½ hours until the meat is fork tender.
• Skim some of the fat from pan juices if desired. Serve ribs with sauce.

Notes

Chipotle chiles are canned, smoked jalapeños so of course they're amazing! Learn more about using them in this post, Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce vs Chipotle Chile Powder. I puree the whole can as soon as I open it and use them by the teaspoon.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Beef Short Ribs in Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce

Amount Per Serving (8 ounces)

Calories 351 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 98mg33%

Sodium 313mg14%

Potassium 845mg24%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 33g66%

Vitamin A 3091IU62%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 27mg3%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.