Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs
Tender and flavorful Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs cooked to perfection with rich savory sauce and aromatic herbs. This easy, melt-in-your-mouth recipe is perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions, delivering unbeatable tenderness and deep flavors with minimal hands-on effort.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with soy sauce substitutions)
Main Ingredients
- 3 to 4 lbs beef short ribs (well-marbled)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the ribs: Trim excess fat from the beef short ribs, then season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sear the ribs (optional but recommended): Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ribs on all sides until caramelized. This locks in flavor and adds richness.
- Build the sauce: Place chopped onions and garlic into the slow cooker. In a bowl, mix beef broth, tomato paste, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, thyme, and rosemary, then pour over the aromatics.
- Add ribs and cook: Arrange seared ribs in the slow cooker, submerging as much as possible in the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until meat is falling-off-the-bone tender.
- Finish and serve: Skim excess fat from the surface, spoon sauce over ribs, and serve hot. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Pat ribs dry before searing to get a better crust and deeper flavor.
- Searing is optional but highly recommended for richer flavor and better texture.
- Use fresh herbs if available for garnishing to add bright, fresh flavors.
- Make sure ribs are mostly submerged but not swimming in liquid to keep sauce concentrated.
- Cook low and slow to achieve melting tenderness without drying out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6 oz cooked ribs with sauce)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: slow cooker beef short ribs, comfort food, easy beef ribs, fall-off-the-bone ribs, beef dinner, tender short ribs