6 Beefy Comfort Foods You’ll Crave Year-Round

A delicious dish is never far away with these meaty recipes.

Food Network Kitchen’s Instant Pot Cola Braised Short Ribs, as seen on Food Network.

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Food Network Kitchen’s Instant Pot Cola Braised Short Ribs, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Renee Comet

Renee Comet

Sometimes, regardless of the season or weather, you need a comforting, cozy, stick-to-your-ribs meal. When that craving strikes, turn to one of these beef-focused dishes. Whether you prefer ground beef or a hearty cut, these meaty mains will surely satisfy.

You can have “braised-all-day” flavor in under two hours with these Instant Pot short ribs. The secret? A splash of cola (not diet, please) helps tenderize the beef while balancing out the flavors from the spices, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs

Who doesn’t love a meatball? After simmering in the slow cooker all day, these Italian meatballs taste just like your Mom’s — and make a great topping for pasta, polenta and even pizza! Toss them in the slow cooker before starting your day and you’ll have the best part of dinner ready to go.

Photo by: Matt

Matt

This Japanese-style curry comes together in just over an hour, thanks to your Instant Pot. Spiced with pantry basics and cooked with Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, grated apple and beef broth, this dish hits all the right notes: slightly sweet, spicy and full of umami. Serve over rice or udon noodles to soak up all the delicious sauce!

Grape Jelly Slow Cooker Mealtballs

Grape Jelly Slow Cooker Mealtballs

Photo by: Teri Lyn Fisher

Teri Lyn Fisher

Grape jelly meatballs are an Internet favorite but can often be too sweet. We balance the sweetness with acidity by combining the jelly with Dijon mustard, cider vinegar and a dash of hot sauce. Though you can use homemade meatballs with this sauce, it’s a super-simple way to dress up a bag of your favorite frozen meatballs, too.

Food Network Kitchen’s Hamburger Steaks with Onion and Mushroom Gravy, as seen on Food Network.

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Food Network Kitchen’s Hamburger Steaks with Onion and Mushroom Gravy, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Renee Comet

Renee Comet

Trust us — your family is going to request this one over and over again. A pound of ground beef is seasoned, formed into patties and simmered in a mushroom-onion gravy until perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Serve over mashed potatoes for the ultimate cozy dinner.

Photo by: Matt

Matt

When you’re in need of a crowd-pleasing comfort food, look no further than the classic Swedish meatball. Using an Instant Pot means you don’t need to chill the meatballs before cooking or create a roux for the rich gravy — just pour the broth over the meatballs, let them pressure cook and add a dash of cream before serving. You can serve these meatballs however you like, but mashed potatoes or egg noodles are never a bad idea in our book.

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