Making braised beef short ribs in the slow cooker is so incredibly easy and delicious! This cooking method gives fall off the bone and flavorful results every time.
I have been wanting to create a braised beef short rib recipe for you for ages! I finally settled on doing it in the slow cooker {or crockpot!} because it’s so easy it’s almost impossible to mess up.
Short ribs aren’t super pricey, but they are more expensive than ground beef or another cheap cut so I wanted to be sure you’d be able to get the recipe right the first time.
For these crockpot short ribs, you will want to use a crockpot or slow cooker that is about 6 quarts. Since this is a braising recipe, there is quite a bit of liquid that you will be adding to the slow cooker in addition to the short ribs and vegetables.
When purchasing beef short ribs, look for individually cut ribs with the bone still in. If the ribs are all connected, those aren’t short ribs. If there isn’t a bone in the ribs, those are also not what you want to purchase. Short ribs can vary in size, so the exact amount you use in this braised beef short rib recipe can also vary.
As the short ribs braise in the slow cooker, the meat will shrink up around the bone, leaving it partially exposed. This is normal and I think it makes for a great looking plate at the end of the day! Don’t stress though, the bones will fall right out because the meat is so tender.
I do have a sear step at the beginning of this slow cooker short ribs recipe. While this isn’t 100% necessary to a great tasting dish, I do love the added crust and flavor the searing gives the short ribs. Remember, the idea of a sear step isn’t to cook the meat.
In fact, the faster you can get the sear on the meat the better. It’s simply a way to add more flavor to the dish. If you do decide to skip the searing step, just don’t forget to add the salt and pepper to the slow cooker.
I hope you love these easy slow cooker braised beef short ribs as much as we do! Great for a weeknight or for company.
Looking for more great beef recipes?
- Homemade Easy Beef Stroganoff
- Garlic & Herb Beef Tenderloin
- Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Easy Dinner Ideas with Ground Beef
Slow Cooker Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 beef short ribs see note
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 ounces tomato paste 1 small can
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine or beef broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons parsley
Instructions
- Season short ribs liberally with salt and pepper.
- Sear over high heat in a skillet to brown the outsides. Set aside.
- Add remaining ingredients to a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Nestle short ribs into the liquid mixture in the slow cooker so that they are mostly covered in liquid. Pour in any accumulated juices from the short ribs.
- Add more beef broth if necessary.
- Cook on low for up to 8 hours, or high up to 4 hours. When done, the beef should easily fall off the bone.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta, or grits. Garnish with fresh thyme and parsley.
Alli says
Such an easy but impressive meal.