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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese

    1 hr 25 mins | Yield 6 | June 7, 2013 | Updated: March 27, 2022 by Kita | This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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    These Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese recipe is your newest indulgent dinner. Tender short ribs and perfectly cooked pasta are tossed in a rich cheese sauce featuring honey and fig cheese and chevre!

    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

    Short Ribs made in Dutch Oven

    This Honey Bourbon Short Ribs recipe will satisfy your craving for comfort food. Every time. Slowly braised beef short ribs in bourbon paired with a rich honey and fig mac and cheese is a grown-up version of a classic food that is begging to devoured! It’s short rib mac and cheese for grown-ups.

    Ingredients needed:

    • Olive Oil – this is used to sear the short ribs before cooking.
    • Short Ribs – look for bone-in short ribs that are well-marbled for the best texture.
    • Onion – sautéing onion with the short ribs helps create a flavor base for the whole dish.
    • Honey Bourbon, Honey, Beef Stock – these three ingredients come together to create our braising liquid. 
    • Salt and Pepper – you’ll season the meat with salt and pepper before braising. 
    • Pasta – you can use any smaller pasta shape you like.
    • Butter and Flour – forms a roux that helps thicken the cheese sauce.
    • Heavy Cream and Milk – creates a rich and creamy base for the cheese sauce.
    • Honey and Fig Cheese – yes, it’s fancy but it’s worth it!
    • Chevre – the goat cheese adds a delicious tang that cuts the sweetness of the honey.
    • Worcestershire Sauce – rounds out the sweet creaminess with its salty flavor.
    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore

    How to make this recipe

    Heat oil in a Dutch oven. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper on all sides and place them into the braiser. Add the onions. Brown the ribs on all sides.

    • Season ribs
    • Sear short ribs
    • Sear on all sides

    Deglaze the pan with bourbon. Stir in the honey and beef stock. Place the lid on the Dutch oven, transfer the whole pot to the oven, and cook for 45 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for another 20 minutes. 

    • Deglaze the pan
    • Add liquids
    • Braise

    While the ribs are cooking, prepare the pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside.

    • Cook pasta
    • Drain pasta

    In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute before whisking in the cream and milk. Stir in the cheese until melted through, then add the Worcestershire sauce.

    • Make roux
    • Melt butter
    • Add flour
    • Cook to thicken
    • Whisk in lmilk
    • Allow to thicken
    • Whisk in the cheese
    • Allow to melt through
    • Add Worcestershire
    • Stir to combine and let the sauce thicken

    Once the ribs have cooked through, shred the meat from short ribs and discard the bones.

    • Remove short ribs from braiser
    • Cool & shred meat, discard bones

    Add the pasta and cheese sauce to the braiser. Toss to coat, season as needed, then serve!

    • Add cheese sauce and meat to the pasta
    • Mix to combine

    What does braising short ribs mean?

    Braising is a two-part cooking process that is a whole lot less complicated than it sounds. It involves an initial sear that’s followed by a long, low, and slow cook time. 

    The benefit to braising is meat with an all-around better flavor and texture. The initial sear gives the meat a crispy exterior while the longer, slower cook time tenderizes the meat and allows the flavor to really work its way in. 

    Scientifically speaking, it allows the fibers to break down and softened under moist heat. Which is what makes the signature fork-tender bite.

    Do you have to brown short ribs before braising?

    Not necessarily, but since braising involves the searing step, you will no longer technically have “braised” meat. 

    Searing the meat locks in flavor and creates a crust on the exterior of the meat. I definitely recommend taking the extra step. It’s so worth it!

    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

    What pasta to use for the honey fig mac and cheese

    Any smaller pasta shape will work! Try shells, penne, fusilli, rotini, etc. I don’t recommend using larger/longer pasta shapes because those are much harder to mix with the cheese sauce.

    What is the best cheese for mac and cheese?

    Anything melty! When I make this recipe, I like to take the fancier route and indulge in a combination of honey and fig cheese and chevre, which is goat cheese. It’s a deliciously creamy, sweet, tangy, melty duo that’s hard to beat.

    However, if you’d prefer to use something a little more mainstream, try sharp cheddar, gruyere, Monterey Jack, Swiss, gouda, or a combination. You can create a makeshift honey and fig cheese by adding chopped figs or a tablespoon of fig preserves.

    Tips

    • Cook the pasta al dente. Pasta with a little more structure holds up better in the creamy cheese sauce.
    • Use low heat. Low heat allows the cheese time to melt without burning. 
    • Add veggies. If you want to incorporate some extra nutrition into your meal, cook up some onion, peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms to mix into the mac and cheese.
    • Serve immediately. Homemade mac and cheese is best served fresh!
    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore.com

    Serving suggestions

    This bourbon braised short ribs with honey and fig mac and cheese recipe is a two-in-one dinner that doesn’t really need a whole lot else to be a complete meal. However, you can round it out with a simple green salad or a pile of steamed or roasted veggies if desired!

    How to store

    Leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, microwave, or warm on the stove with a splash of milk to thin. I don’t recommend freezing homemade mac and cheese because the texture of the sauce will be affected.

    More beef inspiration

    • Grilled Bavette Steak
    • Campfire Grilled Tomahawk Steak
    • Braised Beef Cheek Ragu
    • Chargrilled Kansas City Strip Steak

    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese | Kita Roberts GirlCarnivore
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    5 from 1 vote

    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese

    Pairing tender shredded bourbon braised short ribs with rich mac and cheese takes comfort food to a whole new level. Start by a honey bourbon braise on the beef and make the decadent cheese sauce while it all comes thogeher before tossing it all in the same pot.
    Hands down, the best beef short rib mac and cheese is the best I have ever tasted!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Kita Roberts
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time1 hr 10 mins
    Total Time1 hr 25 mins
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 688kcal

    Equipment

    • dutch oven

    Ingredients

    For the Honey Bourbon Braised Short Ribs

    • 1 tbs olive oil
    • 2 – 3 lbs bone in short ribs
    • 1 onion sliced thin
    • ⅓ cup honey bourbon
    • 1 tbs honey
    • ⅓ cup beef stock
    • salt and pepper

    For the Honey Fig Mac and Cheese

    • 1 lbs dried pasta
    • 3 tbs butter
    • 3 tbs flour
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • ½ cup milk
    • 6 oz honey and fig cheese go on, buy that fancy stuff – or substitute with chopped figs or a tbs of fig perserves
    • 6 oz chevre
    • 1 tbs worchestershire sauce

    Instructions

    Braise the Short Ribs

    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
    • Heat olive oil in a braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
    • Season the short ribs with salt and pepper on all sides. and place in the braiser.
    • Add the onions. Brown he short ribs on all sides.
    • Deglaze the pan with the bourbon.
    • Stir in the honey and beef stock.
    • Put the lid on the braiser and carefully place in the oven.
    • Cook for 45 minutes, remove the lid and cook 20 minutes longer – or until short ribs shred easily with a fork.
    • Remove the meat from the Dutch oven and cover loosely with foil to rest while you make the macaroni and cheese.
    • When meat has rested, shred the short ribs with two forks; discard the bones.

    Make the honey fig mac and cheese

    • Prepare pasta according to manufactures direction. Drain and set aside.
    • In medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
    • Add in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
    • Whisk in the cream and milk.
    • Stir in the cheese a little at a time until melted through.
    • Add the Worcestershire sauce. and allow the sauce to thicken over low heat for a few minutes.
    • Add the cooked pasta and cheese sauce to the Dutch oven with the shredded meat.
    • Toss to coat.
    • Season with salt and pepper as needed.
    • Ladel into bowls or dishes and serve hot. Plate with a little extra shredded beef on top.

    Notes

    You can substitute the honey with maple syrup
    If you dont want to use (or cant find) honey and fig cheese, use a blend of good melting cheeses. A smoked gouda would be my next choice. 
    The short ribs could be braised in a slow cooker or insta-pot if desired. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Bourbon Braised Short Ribs with Honey and Fig Mac and Cheese
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 688 Calories from Fat 288
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 32g49%
    Saturated Fat 19g119%
    Cholesterol 87mg29%
    Sodium 426mg19%
    Potassium 305mg9%
    Carbohydrates 66g22%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 24g48%
    Vitamin A 1080IU22%
    Vitamin C 1.6mg2%
    Calcium 302mg30%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information provided is an estimate. For specific health concerns, please put the recipe into your Dr recommended nutrition calculator.
    Made My Recipe?Mention @girlcarnivore and tag #girlcarnivore!
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    About Kita

    Hey, I'm Kita, the Meat Maven, outdoor junkie, campfire connoisseur, adventure-seeking and world traveled recipe developer and photographer behind GirlCarnivore.com. My mission is to break down savory eats and inspire you to get a little grit under your nails while having fun with your food. READ MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says

      June 07, 2013 at 9:03 am

      While I think this looks and sounds amazing, I don’t think I’d be able to sell my blue-box loving Hubby and Dudette on it. That’s ok though, I don’t mind snuggling into a comfy chair and eating it all by myself while it pours outside.

      Reply
    2. Kailley @ Kailley's Kitchen says

      June 07, 2013 at 9:16 am

      Both recipes sound to-die-for! Also, I am absolutely in love the concept of your blog; it’s due time a woman steps up to push all things meaty!!

      Reply
    3. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

      June 07, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Holy crap. I don’t know what else to say other than I must find this cheese.

      Reply
      • Kita says

        June 09, 2013 at 7:49 pm

        I found it at Aldi’s – I would check Trader Joes as well. ;D

        Reply
        • Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

          June 10, 2013 at 5:08 pm

          Unfortunately I do not have a Trader Joe’s, but I’ll check Aldis!

          Reply
    4. RavieNomNoms says

      June 11, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      Um, how did I miss this one?! DELICIOUS!

      Reply

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