Tamari Braised Beef Short Ribs

Age suitable:
6 months+
Servings:
4 adults

Dairy free, Egg free, Gluten Free, Iron rich, Nut free, Protein rich

5 stars

About the recipe

Slow-cooked tamari braised beef short ribs are tender, and melt-in-your-mouth. Great finger food for babies, especially to chew on the bone.

These tamari braised beef short ribs are one of those no-fuss, big-flavour meals that make the house smell amazing while gently simmering away in the oven. They’re incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone soft, and soaked in a delicious, slightly sweet and spiced broth that’s as nourishing as it is comforting.

Perfect for slow weekends or batch cooking, this recipe brings together bone broth, warming spices, and just a hint of sweetness from red apple. The result? A rich, deeply flavoured dish that feels both grounding and easy to digest.

Serve with sautéed greens, rice, or mashed veg—and save the extra broth for spooning over leftovers or adding to soups and stews later in the week.

Age suitability:

Suitable once your child has tolerated soy. For soy-free babies, swap tamari for coconut aminos. The meat is very soft and easy to shred, making it ideal from around 8 months+ depending on texture tolerance.

Serving suggestions:

Serve with mashed sweet potato, brown rice, quinoa or sautéed greens.
Shred the meat for babies and toddlers and spoon over some of the cooking liquid to keep it soft and moist.
The cooked apple becomes tender and lightly spiced—perfect to serve alongside the meat.

Storage tips:

Fridge friendly for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Freezer friendly for up to 3 months—shred the meat before freezing and store in broth for best texture.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the oven with a splash of broth.

Read More

Ingredients

1 kg beef short ribs
1 tablespoon tamari (or coconut aminos if avoiding soy)
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
1 red apple, quartered
2 cups bone broth

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C.

Add all ingredients to a Dutch oven or oven-safe pot with a lid. Place the short ribs meat-side down, ensuring they are submerged in the broth—bones can stick out.

Cover with the lid and place in the oven for 3 hours. Check that the ribs are tender and falling off the bone. If they’re not quite there, return to the oven for up to 1 more hour.

 

Remove from the oven, allow to rest slightly, then shred and serve with your favourite sides.07=uytgrf

Ingredient swaps and notes:

 

For soy-free families, coconut aminos make a great alternative to tamari.
Bone broth can be swapped for water or homemade veggie stock if needed.
Feel free to add onion, garlic or even a dash of apple cider vinegar to deepen the flavour profile.

You might also like

Chia Gel

Chia seeds are one of those small-but-mighty foods that we come back to again and again, especially when supporting little tummies through the transition to solids. They’re incredibly nutrient dense, meaning even a small amount delivers a beautiful boost of fibre, healthy fats, protein, calcium and magnesium. One of the biggest reasons we love chia … Continued

Learn more

Baked Pumpkin Risotto

I love risotto… but I do not love standing at the stove stirring for 40 minutes while someone’s asking for a snack or hanging off my leg. This baked version is my little kitchen hack. You get that creamy, cosy risotto texture without the constant stirring. The pumpkin softens and melts into the rice, making … Continued

Learn more

Butter Chicken

This is one of those meals I make when I want everyone at the table to eat the same thing… and actually enjoy it. It feels like a proper comfort dinner, but it’s still gentle enough for babies. The pumpkin softens into the sauce and makes it naturally sweet and creamy, which means you get … Continued

Learn more

Chicken & Mushroom Meatballs

If you’re looking for a soft, iron-rich finger food that actually holds together in little hands, these Chicken and Mushroom Meatballs are such a winner. They’re juicy, gently flavoured and packed with extra nourishment from finely chopped mushrooms, making them ideal for baby-led weaning. Using chicken thighs keeps them tender and higher in key nutrients … Continued

Learn more

Chicken & Pasta Soup

This is chicken noodle soup’s heartier, toddler-friendly cousin. The pasta cooks right in the broth and soaks up all that goodness, which means it turns thick, cosy and easy to scoop. No slippery noodles sliding everywhere. No watery broth left behind. Just a nourishing, comforting bowl that little ones can actually manage. It’s packed with … Continued

Learn more

Passionfruit Coconut Slice

This passionfruit coconut slice is one of those recipes that feels a little bit special but is still incredibly simple to make. It is light, fresh and naturally sweet, with that perfect balance of tangy passionfruit and mellow coconut that works beautifully for both kids and adults. It is a toddler-approved favourite in our house … Continued

Learn more

Spaghetti Bolognese With a Twist

Recipe from Toddler to Table This spaghetti bolognese is a classic comfort meal with a clever nutrient-dense twist. It’s the kind of dinner that feels familiar and cosy, but works a little harder behind the scenes to support growing bodies. By adding grated liver and heaps of vegetables into the sauce, you’re boosting iron, zinc, … Continued

Learn more

Pumped Up Porridge

A warm, nourishing start to the day – packed with healthy fats, fibre, and blood sugar-balancing goodness for little (and big) tummies. This porridge is a go-to in our house when I want something comforting, filling and full of goodness. Oats are a great source of fibre and antioxidants, but on their own they’re primarily … Continued

Learn more
0