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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Cooking Method / Crock Pot / Easy Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Easy Slow Cooker Short Ribs

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 4/16/21Updated: 6/22/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

white plate with beef short ribs on it

These slow cooker short ribs are so tender and delicious they fall right off the bone but the best part is how easy they are!

plate of short ribs cooked in the slow cooker

What is a Short Rib?

Short ribs come from the beef chuck of the animal, and consist of the ends of the ribs near the breastbone. These ribs are shorter than traditional ribs and although not as tender they have great flavor.

Best Way to Cook Short Ribs

The best way to cook short ribs is low and slow and that is just how the slow cooker does it.  They cook for about 4-6 hours on low.

Ingredients Needed

  • Short Ribs. You can use boneless but I prefer bone in short ribs. See below for short rib alternatives.
  • Rub. Use a combination of salt, dried rosemary, dried sage, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, black pepper
  • Olive Oil. Could also use canola or vegetable oil.
  • Tomato sauce. Canned sauce
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Brown sugar
  • Garlic. Fresh, minced garlic

How to Make Slow Cooker Short Ribs

  • In a bowl, combine the spice rub.
  • Rub mixture into all sides of the short ribs.
shortribs with rub on them
  • Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat.
  • Braise the ribs for 2-3 minutes each side or until lightly browned.
browning short ribs in a pot
  • Put ribs in slow cooker
  • Mix together balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce, brown sugar, and garlic and pour in with ribs.
  • Cook for 4-6 hours on low or until meat is tender.

How to Make Gravy with Drippings

There will be delicious leftover drippings and don’t let them go to waste. You can easily turn them into gravy.

In a saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp of butter, add in 2 Tbsp of flour and stir to form a roux or a paste. Strain the leftover juices and add into flour/butter mixture. Stir over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of short ribs?

You can use:
Chuck Roast (cut into 2 inch pieces)
Beef Back Ribs
Beef Shank
Brisket

Can I cook this in the Instant Pot?

This recipe works well in the Instant Pot. Use the saute feature to braise the meat. The Instant Pot needs at least 1 cup of liquid so add in 1/2 cup of beef broth. Use the manual high pressure function and set it to high. Cook the short ribs for 45 minutes, do a 10 minute natural release.

What does it mean to “braise”

Braising is the process of browning the meat over high heat to seal in all those yummy juices.

Should I use Bone In or Boneless Short Ribs?

Either bone in or boneless will work. I most often use bone in because that is easier to find.

stack of short ribs on a plate

Serve this with:

  • Smashed Potatoes
  • Roasted Asparagus
  • Easy Mashed Potatoes
  • Roasted Parmesan Carrots
  • Lemon Roasted Potatoes
  • Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

Check out more of my Slow Cooker Recipes:

  • BBQ Ribs
  • Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
  • Crock Pot Balsamic Beef
  • Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Instant Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

And here is a slow cooker just like the one I love and use. 

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

4.95 from 20 votes

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
These  delicious, fall of the bone tender, beef short ribs are so easy to make in your slow cooker. 
serves: 4 servings
Prep:15 minutes
Cook:4 hours
Total:4 hours 15 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs. bone in beef short ribs
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 15 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 6 cloves garlic minced

Spice Rub

  • 2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp dried rubbed sage
  • 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix together the spice rub. Rub mixture onto all sides of the short ribs.
  • Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat.
  • Braise the ribs for 2-3 minutes each side or until lightly browned.
  • Put ribs in slow cooker
  • Mix together balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce, sugar and garlic. Pour over short ribs
  • Cook for 4-6 hours on low or until meat is tender.

Tips & Notes:

This recipe works well in the Instant Pot. Use the saute feature to braise the meat. The Instant Pot needs at least 1 cup of liquid so add in 1/2 cup of beef broth. Use the manual high pressure function and set it to high. Cook the short ribs for 45 minutes, do a 10 minute natural release.
Instead of short ribs you can also use chuck roast cut into 2 inch pieces
 

Recommended Products

Slow Cooker (6qt)
Slow Cooker Liners
Measuring Cups

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 547kcal (27%) Carbohydrates: 28g (9%) Protein: 45g (90%) Fat: 27g (42%) Saturated Fat: 10g (63%) Cholesterol: 133mg (44%) Sodium: 4206mg (183%) Potassium: 1261mg (36%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 22g (24%) Vitamin A: 745IU (15%) Vitamin C: 8.8mg (11%) Calcium: 74mg (7%) Iron: 6.8mg (38%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Dish
Cuisine:American
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  1. Nikki says

    Posted on 6/19 at 7:44 am

    OMG!!! These were sooooo delicious!!! Everyone wanted more. So easy and quick, will definitely make again. I didn’t have enough tomato sauce so I just added a bit of beef broth to the sauce. Again so good can’t wait to make again! Thank you

    Reply
  2. JMA says

    Posted on 12/8 at 9:41 am

    Can you use red wine for a sub for the tomato sauce?

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 12/8 at 4:21 pm

      You could use it along with the tomato sauce but you need the tomato sauce.

      Reply
  3. cheryl says

    Posted on 3/31 at 6:04 am

    hello
    2 questions I really don’t like garlic so can I leave it out? 2. may I use ketchup instead of tomato sauce?

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne Wilkes says

      Posted on 2/1 at 8:10 am

      You can always n leave garlic out, the ketchup will make it sweeter.

      Reply
  4. Barb says

    Posted on 2/4 at 9:35 am

    Absolutely delicious. I made the recipe as written except I had to use boneless short ribs. These were the best short ribs I’ve ever eaten.

    Reply
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