Irresistibly Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs Recipe for Fall

Cooking delicious beef short ribs in a crockpot can turn an ordinary meal into a memorable feast.

Slow-simmered meats deliver incredible depth of flavor that melts in your palate.

Rich marbling creates succulent textures impossible to achieve through quick preparation methods.

Cold winter nights call for hearty dishes that comfort and satisfy.

Tender meat falling off the bone promises pure culinary bliss.

Minimal effort yields maximum taste with this straightforward recipe.

You’ll find these short ribs so delectable that everyone around the table will request seconds.

Why Super Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs Steal The Show

• Create Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: This recipe guarantees incredibly tender beef that falls apart with minimal effort, delivering a luxurious dining experience that feels like restaurant-quality cooking.
• Maximize Flavor Complexity: By layering seasonings through searing, sautéing, and slow cooking, the dish develops rich, deep flavors that blend perfectly from herbs, wine, and carefully selected sauces.
• Simplify Meal Preparation: Slow cooker method allows hands-off cooking, transforming tough meat cuts into succulent, restaurant-worthy meals with minimal active kitchen time and maximum taste satisfaction.
• Impress Dinner Guests: This sophisticated yet approachable recipe works brilliantly for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or special occasions, making you look like a culinary expert without extensive cooking skills.

Ingredients For Super Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

• Beef Short Ribs: Rich, flavorful cut perfect for slow cooking and developing deep meat tenderness.
• Chuck Roast: Optional protein addition that provides extra meaty complexity to the dish.

• Salt, Pepper, Thyme, Rosemary: Classic herb combination that enhances the natural beef flavor and creates aromatic depth.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational vegetables that build a robust flavor base for the meat.
• Tomato Paste: Adds rich umami and helps create a deeper, more concentrated sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness and helps caramelize the meat's exterior.
• Bay Leaves: Introduces a gentle herbal undertone to the overall dish.

• Beef Broth: Creates a flavorful cooking liquid that keeps meat moist and tender.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and helps tenderize the meat during slow cooking.
• Soy Sauce: Brings depth and a savory note to the cooking liquid.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes tangy and complex flavor profile.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a smooth, glossy sauce with perfect consistency.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing meat and creating a golden, caramelized exterior.

How To Cook Super Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

Step 1: Prepare Beef Short Ribs

Sprinkle salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary all over the beef short ribs, making sure every surface gets seasoned perfectly.

Step 2: Sear Meat to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meat on all sides until a deep golden crust forms, creating incredible flavor.

Step 3: Transfer Meat to Slow Cooker

Move the seared meat carefully into the crockpot, keeping the skillet ready for the next delicious step.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Base

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Cook until the onions become soft and fragrant, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 5: Boost Flavor Intensity

Add tomato paste to the onion mixture, stirring and cooking for a couple of minutes to deepen the flavor profile.

Step 6: Build the Cooking Liquid

• Beef broth
• Red wine
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce

Scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then transfer the liquid to the crockpot.

Step 7: Add Final Flavor Enhancers

Sprinkle brown sugar over the meat and tuck bay leaves into the cooking liquid.

Step 8: Slow Cook to Tender Bliss

Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours. The meat will become incredibly tender and start falling apart.

Step 9: Prepare the Meat for Serving

Remove bay leaves from the cooking liquid. Gently transfer the meat to a serving platter.

Step 10: Create Luxurious Sauce

Whisk cornstarch with a small amount of cooking liquid to create a smooth slurry. Stir this back into the crockpot to thicken the sauce for 5-10 minutes.

Step 11: Final Touch and Serve

Drizzle the reduced, glossy sauce generously over the meat, ensuring each bite is packed with rich, mouthwatering flavor.

Tips That Make Super Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs Fall Apart

• Seal in Flavor: Searing meat before slow cooking creates a delicious caramelized crust that locks in rich, deep flavors and improves overall taste.
• Choose the Right Cut: Select well-marbled short ribs with good fat content to ensure maximum tenderness and juiciness during long cooking process.
• Wine Selection Matters: Use a dry red wine like cabernet sauvignon or merlot to enhance sauce complexity without overpowering meat's natural taste.
• Thicken with Precision: Mix cornstarch gradually and whisk continuously to prevent lumps when creating sauce, ensuring smooth and glossy final texture.
• Resting is Key: Allow meat to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to help juices redistribute, resulting in more succulent and tender short ribs.

Tasty Variations For Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

• Spicy Chipotle Short Ribs: Replace red wine with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, adding smoky heat and depth to the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap thyme and rosemary for oregano, mint, and za'atar spice blend, creating a bright Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Asian-Inspired Ginger Ribs: Substitute worcestershire sauce with rice vinegar, add fresh ginger, and include a splash of sesame oil for an authentic Asian taste.
• Honey Bourbon Glaze: Replace brown sugar with bourbon and honey, creating a rich, caramelized coating that adds complex sweetness to the tender meat.

What Goes Well With Super Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfectly Matched Companions
• Pair Rich Red Wine: Select full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that mirrors the deep, robust flavors of the beef short ribs, complementing the wine-braised cooking method and enhancing the meat's richness.
• Serve Creamy Sides: Opt for garlic mashed potatoes or parmesan polenta to absorb the luxurious sauce, creating a velvety texture that balances the tender, caramelized meat's intense flavor profile.
• Brighten with Fresh Greens: Prepare roasted asparagus or crisp green bean almondine to introduce a light, fresh contrast against the heavy, savory short ribs, cutting through the richness with vibrant green vegetables.

How To Store Crockpot Beef Short Ribs Like A Pro

• Store leftover beef short ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Pack cooled short ribs and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with date and contents. Freeze for maximum 3 months to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Thaw refrigerated or frozen short ribs in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in microwave or oven, adding a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Keep remaining sauce in a separate sealed container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Use as a delicious flavor enhancer when reheating meat or as a quick sauce for other dishes.

FAQs About Super Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

• Why sear the meat before slow cooking?

Searing creates a delicious caramelized crust that locks in flavor and adds depth to the meat’s overall taste profile, enhancing the final dish’s richness.

• Can I substitute red wine in the recipe?

Yes, you can replace red wine with beef broth, grape juice, or additional beef stock if you prefer a non-alcoholic version that still maintains moisture and flavor complexity.

• How do I know the short ribs are perfectly cooked?

The meat is done when it easily falls apart with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 195-205°F, indicating maximum tenderness and breakdown of connective tissues.

Super Tender Crockpot Beef Short Ribs Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes – 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Succulent beef short ribs melt into a rich, hearty embrace of slow-cooked comfort, promising pure culinary bliss. Savory meat falls apart with minimal effort, delivering a mouthwatering experience that will delight your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 4 lbs beef short ribs
• 1 lb beef chuck roast (optional)

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 medium onions
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)

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Instructions

1. Generously season beef short ribs and optional chuck roast with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary, ensuring even coating.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear meat on all sides until deep golden brown, creating a rich caramelized exterior.
3. Transfer seared meat to slow cooker, retaining skillet for next step.
4. Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in the same skillet until fragrant and slightly translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
5. Add tomato paste to onion mixture, stirring and cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes to enhance flavor depth.
6. Pour beef broth, red wine, soy sauce, and worcestershire sauce into skillet, scraping up any browned bits from bottom, then transfer liquid to crockpot.
7. Sprinkle brown sugar over meat and add bay leaves to the slow cooker.
8. Cover and cook on low temperature for 7-8 hours, allowing meat to become extremely tender and fall-apart soft.
9. Remove bay leaves from cooking liquid and transfer meat to serving platter.
10. Whisk cornstarch with small amount of cooking liquid to create smooth slurry, then stir back into crockpot to thicken sauce for approximately 5-10 minutes.
11. Drizzle reduced sauce over meat before serving, ensuring each portion is generously coated.

Notes

• Boost meat tenderness by choosing well-marbled short ribs with visible fat layers for maximum flavor and moisture retention.
• Elevate searing technique by patting meat completely dry before seasoning to achieve deeper caramelization and prevent steaming.
• Customize wine selection with bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement rich beef flavors and enhance sauce complexity.
• Transform leftovers into versatile meals like shredded beef tacos, sandwiches, or hearty pasta by storing meat in its cooking liquid for extra juiciness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7-8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg