Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs (Fall-Off-The-Bone Tender) 🍖🔥
These melt-in-your-mouth beef short ribs are braised low and slow in a rich, savory sauce with red wine, garlic, and herbs. Perfect for a cozy dinner with mashed potatoes, polenta, or crusty bread!
🍖 Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
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3-4 lbs (1.3-1.8 kg) bone-in beef short ribs (or boneless)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 large onion, chopped
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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2 cups beef broth (or red wine + broth combo)
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¼ cup soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
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1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp dried thyme (or rosemary)
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2 bay leaves
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Salt & black pepper to taste
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1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions:
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Sear the ribs (optional but recommended):
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Pat ribs dry, season with salt & pepper.
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Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear ribs 2-3 mins per side until browned. Transfer to slow cooker.
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Sauté aromatics:
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In the same skillet, cook onion & garlic until soft (~3 mins). Deglaze with ½ cup broth, scraping up browned bits.
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Combine in slow cooker:
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Pour onion mixture over ribs. Add broth, soy sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, balsamic, paprika, thyme, and bay leaves.
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Cook:
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Low heat: 6-8 hours (best for tenderness)
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High heat: 3-4 hours
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Ribs are done when fork-tender and falling off the bone.
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Thicken sauce (optional):
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Remove ribs. Mix cornstarch + water, stir into sauce, and cook on HIGH for 10-15 mins until thickened.
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Serve:
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Discard bay leaves. Spoon sauce over ribs and serve with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or buttered noodles.
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🔥 Flavor Variations:
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Asian-Inspired: Swap broth for 1 cup hoisin + 1 cup water, add star anise & ginger.
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BBQ Style: Use 1 cup BBQ sauce + 1 cup broth, add liquid smoke.
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Mushroom & Red Wine: Add 8 oz mushrooms and 1 cup dry red wine.
Storage: Keeps 3-4 days in fridge or 3 months frozen. Reheat gently on stove.
Perfect for Sunday dinner! Would you like a side dish recommendation? 😊
