Food & Cooking Recipes Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes Basic Beef Stock Be the first to rate & review! By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 14, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Yield: Makes 3 1/2 quarts This rich stock can be used in a variety of soups and sauces. Reserve the shredded beef and tomato pieces to make Hearty Beef Stew. Ingredients 6 pounds beef short ribs, trimmed of excess fat Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 3 quarts plus 1 cup water 1 can (28 ounces) peeled whole tomatoes, roughly chopped, juice reserved 2 dried bay leaves 10 whole black peppercorns ½ small bunch fresh dill, roughly chopped Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange ribs in a large roasting pan; sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast 1 1/2 hours, turning ribs halfway through. Combine 3 quarts water and tomatoes and their juice in a stockpot. Bundle bay leaves, peppercorns, and dill in a small piece of cheesecloth; tie with kitchen twine, and add to pot. Transfer roasted ribs to pot. Pour off and discard fat from roasting pan. Pour remaining cup water into pan, and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, until water is reduced by half. Transfer liquid and bits to stockpot. Cover the pot; bring mixture to a simmer over high heat, but do not boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and place a smaller pot lid directly on surface of stock to keep ingredients submerged; cook until meat is very tender and pulls away from the bone, about 1 1/2 hours. Skim surface with a spoon as needed. Prepare an ice bath. Remove herb bundle from pot, squeezing out liquid into pot, and discard. Strain stock through a sieve into a large heatproof bowl set in ice bath until stock is room temperature, stirring frequently. Transfer ribs and tomato pieces to another bowl. When cool enough to handle, pull rib meat from bones, and shred with your fingers. Discard bones. Store meat and tomato pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator, up to 3 days. Transfer the cooled stock to airtight containers; refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. With a large metal spoon, skim off and discard fat layer that has collected on the top. If storing, leave fat layer intact (it helps to seal in flavor). Cook's Notes Refrigerate stock in airtight containers for up to three days or freeze for up to six months. Rate it Print