Cozy Balsamic Short Rib Sliders with Cranberry Brie Recipe

My kitchen adventures recently sparked a delicious balsamic short rib sliders experiment that blew my mind.

Bold flavors dance across every single bite of this incredible sandwich.

Tender meat melts into creamy brie while cranberry adds a surprising sweet punch.

Crisp arugula brings sharp complexity to each layered morsel.

Perfectly balanced ingredients create magic between soft slider buns.

Weekend gatherings or casual game nights will never be the same after you experience these mouthwatering little sandwiches.

One taste will make you the culinary hero among your closest friends.

Why Balsamic Short Rib Sliders Are Popular

• Craft Easy Flavor Explosion: Combines rich, tender short ribs with tangy cranberry sauce and creamy brie for an incredible taste experience that surprises your palate.
• Impress Without Stress: Slow cooking method ensures melt-in-your-mouth meat with minimal active preparation, perfect for busy home cooks wanting restaurant-quality results.
• Elevate Party Appetizers: Transforms classic sliders into gourmet bites that will wow guests at gatherings, game days, or casual dinner parties with sophisticated flavor combinations.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows variations like different herbs or cheese types, making it adaptable to personal preferences and ingredient availability.

Ingredients For Balsamic Short Rib Sliders

• Short Ribs: A rich and tender cut of beef that becomes incredibly soft when slow-cooked, perfect for creating melt-in-your-mouth sliders.

• Olive Oil: Helps sear the meat and create a golden brown exterior.
• Soy Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar, Red Wine: Provide deep, complex flavor and help tenderize the meat during slow cooking.
• Water: Ensures the meat stays moist during the long cooking process.

• Garlic, Ginger: Add warm, zesty undertones that complement the rich meat.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.

• Cranberries: Provide a tart and vibrant base for the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps thicken the cranberry mixture.
• Rosemary: Introduces an herbal, earthy note to the sauce.

• Slider Buns: The foundation for the delicious short rib sandwich.
• Brie Cheese: Creamy cheese that melts beautifully over the warm meat.
• Arugula: Adds a peppery, fresh element to balance the rich flavors.

How To Make Short Rib Sliders

Step 1: Sear and Slow Cook the Short Ribs

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Brown the short ribs on all sides for about a minute per side to develop a rich, deep flavor.

Transfer the seared meat to a slow cooker.

• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Balsamic vinegar
• Red wine
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Add enough water to cover the ribs halfway.

Let the slow cooker work its magic on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart.

Step 2: Create Tangy Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

• Fresh cranberries
• Balsamic vinegar
• Water
• Brown sugar
• Chopped rosemary
• Grated ginger

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Cook for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 3: Assemble the Ultimate Sliders

Toast slider buns until golden and crisp.

Layer the bottom bun with tender, shredded short ribs.

Place a slice of creamy brie on top, letting the warm meat slightly melt the cheese.

Generously spoon the balsamic cranberry sauce over the brie.

Add a handful of peppery arugula for a fresh crunch.

Crown with the top bun and serve immediately.

Tips For Perfect Balsamic Sliders

• Cook short ribs slowly to break down tough connective tissues, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth texture every single time.
• Select well-marbled short ribs with good fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness during long cooking processes.
• Let hot shredded meat naturally melt brie cheese, creating a creamy, luxurious layer without additional heating.
• Adjust cranberry sauce sweetness by tasting and incrementally adding brown sugar to achieve a perfect sweet-tangy harmony.
• Add arugula just before serving to maintain crisp texture and bright peppery flavor against rich meat and melted cheese.

Flavor Enhancements For Short Rib Sliders

• Veggie Slider Swap: Replace short ribs with grilled portobello mushrooms, marinated in the same balsamic sauce for a rich, meaty vegetarian option.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free slider buns and swap soy sauce with tamari to create a celiac-safe version of the recipe.
• Lamb Love Alternative: Substitute short ribs with slow-cooked lamb shoulder, maintaining the same cooking technique and flavor profile for a different protein experience.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Replace brie with dairy-free cashew cheese or vegan cheese alternative, keeping the cranberry sauce and arugula for a plant-based version.

Suggested Pairings For Balsamic Short Rib Sliders

• Party Platter Paradise: Arrange sliders on a large wooden board with extra cranberry sauce and arugula leaves scattered around for a stunning presentation.
• Cocktail Companion Combo: Pair these sliders with a bold red wine or craft beer that complements the rich, tangy flavors of the short ribs and balsamic cranberry sauce.
• Game Day Gourmet: Serve as bite-sized appetizers during sports events, cutting sliders in half for easier sharing and adding toothpicks for convenient pickup.
• Elegant Brunch Bite: Create a sophisticated small plate option by serving two mini sliders alongside a light mixed green salad for a balanced, impressive meal.

Storage Advice For Short Rib Sliders

• Store leftover short ribs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Separate meat from sauce to prevent soggy texture and maintain freshness.
• Wrap shredded meat tightly in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Place meat in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few tablespoons water to prevent drying. Cover and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

• What type of meat works best for this recipe?

Short ribs are ideal because they are rich in flavor, tender when slow-cooked, and have enough fat content to become incredibly juicy and succulent when braised.

• Can I substitute balsamic vinegar with another ingredient?

While balsamic vinegar is key for depth of flavor, you can use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as alternatives, though the taste profile will slightly change.

• How do I know when the short ribs are perfectly cooked?

The meat is ready when it easily shreds with a fork and feels tender, which typically occurs after 6-8 hours of slow cooking or 2½-3 hours of oven braising.

Balsamic Short Rib Sliders with Cranberry Brie and Arugula Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 20–30 1x

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Description

Succulent Balsamic Short Rib Sliders combine tender meat with creamy brie and tangy cranberry on a delicate roll. Crisp arugula adds a peppery finish, making each bite a perfect harmony of flavors you’ll savor to the last morsel.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) bone-in short ribs

Cooking Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) red wine or chicken broth
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh ginger (grated)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Topping and Accompaniments:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) brie cheese (sliced)
• Arugula for topping
• 20–30 slider buns (toasted)

Cranberry Balsamic Sauce:

• 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) fresh cranberries
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) water
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) fresh ginger (grated)

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Instructions

1. Sear short ribs in hot olive oil over medium-high heat for approximately 1 minute per side to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
2. Transfer seared meat to a slow cooker or Dutch oven, incorporating soy sauce, Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, red wine, minced garlic, and grated ginger for an intense flavor profile.
3. Pour enough liquid to cover meat halfway, then cook at 325°F for 2½-3 hours in the oven or 6-8 hours on low in the slow cooker until meat becomes exceptionally tender and easily shreds.
4. Prepare cranberry sauce by combining cranberries, balsamic vinegar, water, brown sugar, rosemary, and ginger in a saucepan, bringing to a rapid boil and then reducing to a gentle simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce thickens and develops a glossy consistency.
5. Taste cranberry sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to balance sweet and tangy notes.
6. Toast slider buns until golden and crisp around the edges.
7. Layer shredded short ribs on bottom bun halves, ensuring even distribution of meat.
8. Place a slice of creamy brie on top of warm meat, allowing residual heat to gently melt the cheese.
9. Drizzle balsamic cranberry sauce over melted brie for an additional layer of complexity.
10. Garnish with fresh arugula leaves, providing a peppery contrast to the rich meat and cheese.
11. Crown with top bun halves and serve immediately while ingredients remain warm and flavors are vibrant.

Notes

• Tenderize meat by choosing well-marbled short ribs with good fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Searing meat before slow cooking creates a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep, complex flavors and enhances overall taste profile.
• Adjust cooking liquid ratios if using leaner meat cuts to prevent dryness, potentially adding extra broth or reducing cooking time.
• Substitute brie with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cheese for vegan options, maintaining the creamy texture and complementary taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 20-30
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg