Ancho Short Rib Tacos with Pickled Red Onions

They take a long time in the oven to cook, but fork-tender braised short ribs make sensational tacos when combined with cooling Mexican crema and tart, crunchy pickled red onions. The ribs are so delicious, you’ll want to make a double batch and freeze half for use later. The meat is delicious tucked into quesadillas, scattered on top of nachos, or used as the meat layer in a Mexican-inspired eggs Benedict.

 

Ancho Short Rib Tacos with Pickled Red Onions

 

For the pickled red onions:

6 Tbs. (3 fl. oz./90 ml) rice wine vinegar

1 Tbs. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 large red onion, quartered and thinly sliced

 

For the tacos:

3 cups (24 fl. oz./750 ml) low-sodium beef broth, plus more as needed

4 dried ancho chiles

2 Tbs. olive oil

5 lb. (2.5 kg) bone-in beef short ribs

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 yellow onion, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup (8 fl. oz./250 ml) dry red wine

16 to 20 flour or corn tortillas, warmed

1 cup (8 oz./250 g) Mexican crema, sour cream or crème fraîche

Fresh cilantro leaves for serving

 

To make the pickled onions, in a nonreactive bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar and salt until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the onion slices and toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). In a saucepan over high heat, bring the broth to a boil, then remove from the heat and add the chiles. Set aside to steep.

 

In a heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Season the short ribs all over with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add the ribs to the pot and sear until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add the onion to the pot and cook, stirring often, until golden, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook just until the garlic is soft, about 1 minute. Add the broth, chiles and wine, stirring to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Nestle the ribs in the liquid, cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake until the meat falls off the bones, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Check the pot every 45 minutes or so to make sure there is enough liquid, adding more broth as needed; it should reach about three-fourths of the way up the sides of the ribs.

 

Using tongs, transfer the ribs and the chiles to a plate to cool. Set the pot with the cooking liquid aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, using your hands or 2 forks, shred the meat and set aside. Discard the bones. Using a large spoon, skim the fat off the top of the cooled liquid in the pot. Transfer the contents of the pot and 1 of the chiles to a blender and process to a smooth purée. Return the puréed sauce to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the sauce reduces by half, about 5 minutes. Add the shredded meat and cook just until warmed through, about 4 minutes.

 

To assemble, fill the tortillas with the meat and top with some drained pickled onions, a dollop of crema and some cilantro. Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

 

 

 

For this and more ideas for tacos you’ll want to serve every
night of the week, check out our new Taco Night, by Kate McMillan.