Slow Cooker Short Ribs

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My beef short ribs crock pot recipe is deeply flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! With only 15 minutes of prep and simple ingredients, you can set it and forget it while it cooks. These short ribs promise to be the star of any family meal!

Jump to:

• Beef Short Ribs in the Crock Pot
• Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Ingredients
• Bone-in Beef Short Ribs Slow Cooker Instructions
• Crock Pot Gravy for Short Ribs
• Beef Short Ribs Recipe Slow Cooker Tips
• What are Short Ribs?
• Slow Cooker Short Ribs FAQ
• How to Store Leftover Slow Cooker Short Ribs
• How to Reheat Crock Pot Short Ribs
• Short Rib Recipes
• Slow Cooker Short Ribs
• Reviews

Beef Short Ribs in the Crock Pot

This short rib recipe in the slow cooker is the ultimate comfort food! The short ribs are so juicy they melt in your mouth. This is a slow cooker recipe I make again and again for my family, especially as a part of my favorite Sunday dinner ideas.

This is a bone-in beef short ribs slow cooker recipe, but you can also use boneless! Try making it just once, and I know you'll come back to it again and again.

Such a great recipe! You can taste the build of flavors in the meat. It’s not an overpowering punch, but more of a slow progression of flavors, which I feel like makes this dish taste and feel sophisticated.

Rachael

Another favorite is my slow cooker lasagna. It is so easy to prepare ahead of time for a crowd!

Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Ingredients

• Short Ribs: Look for beef chuck short ribs for this recipe.
• Salt: Kosher salt or sea salt flakes work best.
• Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper is always a great choice.
• Onion, Celery, and Carrots: These veggies are an essential base for the tasty gravy these short ribs form when cooking.
• Vegetable Oil: For searing the short ribs before slow cooking them.
• Garlic: You want to use fresh crushed garlic. A garlic press makes this so easy.
• Red Wine: If you don't want to use red wine, you can replace it with extra beef broth at a 1:1 ratio.
• Balsamic Vinegar: A little bit of balsamic vinegar goes a long way for flavor in this recipe!
• Tomato Paste: You could also use tomato sauce if it's what you have, but I prefer the flavor and consistency of tomato paste.
• Beef Broth: When braised in beef broth, a delicious gravy forms to pair with these slow cooker short ribs.
• Rosemary and Bay Leaves: For best flavor, use fresh rosemary!

Bone-in Beef Short Ribs Slow Cooker Instructions

1. Pat beef short ribs dry if necessary.
   
2. Finely dice the onion, celery ribs, and carrots.
   
3. Season all over with salt and pepper. Pat the seasoning into the meat.
   
4. Warm half of your vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the short ribs on all sides in two batches so you don't overcrowd the skillet. Make sure to sear until you have a nice mahogany crust.
   
5. Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the skillet along with the remaining oil. Reduce the heat slightly so the vegetables don't burn. 
   
6. Cook the vegetables for a couple of minutes, then add minced garlic. Cook a minute more, then add red wine to deglaze the pan. Scrape up brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. 
   
7. Add balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, beef broth, rosemary, and bay leaves as it starts to simmer.
8. Add the short ribs to the slow cooker. Bring the vegetable mixture to a simmer then pour over the short ribs. 
   
9. Turn the slow cooker on low and cook for 6 - 8 hours. 
10. Remove the bay leaves when it is done and discard them.
11. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or thick pasta like pappardelle.

Crock Pot Gravy for Short Ribs

You can serve the braised short ribs in their drippings (which is amazing) or make them into gravy. Homemade gravy is easy, delicious, and adds so much flavor to the dish

1. Remove the short ribs to a platter and tent with foil.
2. Strain the liquid and remove any large chunks of meat and vegetables.
3. Add the strained liquids back to the pot, then add 3 Tbsp. All-purpose flour and stir to make gravy. It's that easy!

Beef Short Ribs Recipe Slow Cooker Tips

1. I used bone-in short ribs for this recipe. Boneless short ribs also work well.
2. Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper to intensify the flavor. 
3. Important step: Heating oil in a skillet and sear the ribs on all sides in batches so you don't overcrowd the pan. This step is key to beautiful and flavorful short ribs. 
4. You can also use large pieces of carrots and serve them as your side dish. 
5. Once your slow cooker short ribs have finished cooking, turn off the slow cooker and let them cool slightly, but not to room temperature.
6. Transfer the short ribs to an airtight container or a lidded ovenproof dish.
7. Seal the container or dish with airtight lids or plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss, and place it in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the short ribs within a few days.

What are Short Ribs?

Beef chuck short ribs come from the front section of the backbone and are beautifully marbled, which results in meat that is very tender. Short ribs are one of the best cuts of beef for slow cooking and grilling.

Slow Cooker Short Ribs FAQ

How to Store Leftover Slow Cooker Short Ribs

1. Transfer to Containers: Place the cooled short ribs along with any cooking liquid into airtight containers. You can store them whole or shred the meat if preferred. Make sure to leave some space at the top of the container to allow for expansion during freezing.
2. Labeling and Freezing: Label the containers with the date of preparation and place them in the refrigerator or freezer accordingly. Short ribs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Crock Pot Short Ribs

1. Reheating in the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to around 325°F (160°C).
   • Place the short ribs in an oven-safe dish with any cooking liquid.
   • Cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out.
   • Reheat for approximately 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
2. Reheating on the Stove:
   • Transfer the short ribs and cooking liquid to a saucepan or skillet.
   • Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This method helps to retain moisture.
3. Reheating in the Microwave:
   • Place the short ribs in a microwave-safe dish with a lid.
   • Heat on medium power in short increments, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
   • Check the temperature of the meat with a food thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C).

I made this tonight. It was incredibly delicious. The prep work is worth the effort. I served with a red wine, crusty bread and a side salad.

Kay

Short Rib Recipes

• Grilled Short Ribs
• Korean Braised Short Ribs
• Instant Pot Short Ribs
• Smoked Short Ribs

Try my Grilled Pork Ribs, 3-2-1 Smoked Ribs, and Air Fryer Ribs next!