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Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ribs: Trim excess fat from the beef short ribs, then season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Keywords: slow cooker beef short ribs, comfort food, easy beef ribs, fall-off-the-bone ribs, beef dinner, tender short ribs