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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!
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.
- 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, 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
You can use:
Chuck Roast (cut into 2 inch pieces)
Beef Back Ribs
Beef Shank
Brisket
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.
Braising is the process of browning the meat over high heat to seal in all those yummy juices.
Either bone in or boneless will work. I most often use bone in because that is easier to find.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Short Ribs
Easy Mashed Potatoes are a favorite at our house. We also love to serve it with these Smashed Potatoes. Use the leftover juices and make gravy with it to serve over your potatoes.
Check out more of my Slow Cooker Recipes:
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.
Slow Cooker Short Ribs
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:
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Nutrition Facts:
Angie says
Short ribs with balsamic vinegar and tomato sauce is the best. Meat fell off bone and taste was excellent. Thank you
Tiffany says
These were so delicious and rich, YUM!! I actually used pork spare ribs (cheaper!) and didn’t have tomato sauce so I used about half the amount of ketchup and reduced the sugar a smidge. I will definitely make them again.
Leigh Anne says
Tiffany, I love that you loved them!! Great substitution!
Jenncolley06 says
Found your recipe and site via Pinterest. This was my first attempt at short ribs and your recipe was so delicious! The only change I made was I threw in 4 halved crimini mushrooms because I love mushrooms with meat. Served with cheesy grits and roasted Brussels spouts. My hubby agreed it was one of the best meals I’ve ever made. It’s a keeper in our house! Thank you 🙂
Leigh Anne says
So glad you loved them and the addition of mushrooms is a great idea.
Laura says
If you wanted to make this a freezer meal, would you braise the meat, then freeze, thaw, and cook?
Leigh Anne says
If you are going to put them in the slow cooker frozen I would braise them first. If you are going to thaw before cooking I would just braise before putting in the slow cooker.
Natalie says
Soooo good, awesome recipe, thanks!
I never post comments but felt I had to put one on here to say how delicious these were.
Maybe it’s my slow cooker or meat on the ribs I got, but I had to leave them 7 hrs on low. Result was amazing 🙂