Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

These Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs are an absolute game changer. Each rib is coated in a flavorful homemade dry rub, then slow cooked to perfection until they’re unbelievably tender and fall off the bone. It’s the kind of comfort food that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Recipe

There’s just something magical about slow-cooked beef short ribs. The gentle cooking in a slow cooker results in ribs that practically fall apart the moment your fork touches them. This is the kind of dish that makes the whole kitchen smell amazing and after hours of gentle cooking in the homemade barbecue sauce, the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

We love these barbecue beef short ribs with mashed potatoes, over rice or a warm bowl of cheese grits. It’s cozy, comforting, and downright irresistible.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Slow Cooker Beef Ribs: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Ribs – 4 pounds of beef short ribs.
• Seasoned Flour – All purpose flour, seasoned salt, ground cumin, granulated garlic or garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
• Oil – Olive oil or vegetable oil to braise the ribs prior to slow cooking.
• Barbecue Sauce – One can Rotel tomatoes or Rotel chili fixins tomatoes, ketchup, molasses, light brown sugar, beef stock, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, sweet onion, chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, seasoned salt and cumin.

How to Make the BEST Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe

• Make the Dry Mixture – Mix together the all-purpose flour, seasoned salt, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika and onion powder.
• Dredge the Ribs – Dust the short ribs on all sides with the seasoned flour.
• Brown the Ribs – Brown the ribs in batches over medium-high heat on all sides until golden brown.
• Transfer to Slow Cooker – Layer the ribs in the slow cooker.
• Make the Sauce – Add all of the sauce ingredients to a stand blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. Drizzle over the ribs.
• Lock Lid in Place – Cover and cook on low per the cooking time in the recipe or until fork tender.
• Thicken the BBQ Sauce – When done use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the ribs from the sauce. Skim fat from the sauce.
• Serve the ribs drizzled with the sauce over grits, mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe

• A 6 quart slow cooker or similar size multi-function cooker.
• Dutch oven or large deep pot to brown the ribs prior to slow cooking.
• Small bowl and fork or whisk to make the dry rub.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Stand blender or food processor to puree the sauce.
• Knife and chopping board.
• Slotted spoon.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Ribs – You could use this recipe to make country style pork ribs or chuck ribs.
• Spices – You could add cayenne pepper to the seasoned flour dry rub or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the barbecue sauce mixture. You could also use your favorite brand of barbecue seasoning for shortcut seasoning.
• Worcestershire Sauce – You can use soy sauce or teriyaki sauce in place of worcestershire sauce.
• Canned Tomatoes – You can use any brand of chili seasoned tomatoes or tomatoes with green chiles, that you enjoy. It’s fine to use a large 14 oz can, just be prepared to thicken with tomato paste at the end of cooking.
• Vinegar – You can use use balsamic vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
• Use a Stand Blender to Make the Sauce – To puree the ingredients in the sauce, it’s best to use a stand blender or a food processor. This ensures the sauce ingredients fully combine.
• Charring the Ribs in the Oven – These ribs are fall apart tender cooked in the slow cooker. You can go the extra step and transfer them to a rimmed sheet pan and char under the oven broiler for 3-5 minutes, if desired. Either way, you can’t go wrong!

Storage and Leftovers

• Reheating Tip – When reheating, you may need to add beef stock to the sauce to thin the sauce. Likewise, if you want to thicken the sauce, you could stir in tomato paste one tablespoon at a time, repeating until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Reheating in the Oven – Heat the ribs and the sauce separately. Reheat the ribs covered with heavy duty aluminum foil in a preheated 350°F oven just until heated through. You could also reheat gently in single servings in the microwave or over medium heat in a large skillet or saucepan on the stovetop.
• Leftovers – Store cooked Braised Beef Short Ribs in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer – You can freeze leftover ribs for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Slow Cooker Recipes to Make

• Slow Cooked Beef Stew is the perfect meal on a chilly day.
• Enjoy this Dr Pepper Glazed Barbecue Beef  piled high on warm buns with cole slaw.
• Cook the beef for Slow Cooked French Dips low and slow until it’s fall part tender.
• Corned Beef and Cabbage for St Patrick’s Day.
• Slow Cooked Turkey Breast is perfect for smaller fall gatherings.
• Slow Cooked Smothered Cubed Steak simmers in a rich and flavorful gravy.
• The family will flip for these Cheesy Ranch Potatoes made in your slow cooker.
• Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash from The Magical Slow Cooker.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Slow Cooker
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set