Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

Introduction

Few dishes rival the deep, savory satisfaction of Crockpot Beef Short Ribs. This comforting recipe is renowned for transforming simple beef ribs into melt-in-your-mouth, fall-off-the-bone perfection with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, making it an easy choice for busy families or anyone seeking big flavors with little hands-on time.

Deliciously Easy Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

What sets this classic beef ribs recipe apart is the incredible tenderness and richness you achieve by slow cooking. The beef absorbs all the aromatic goodness from the vegetables and seasonings, producing a hearty meal that’s both luxurious and fuss free—a true crowd pleaser whether you’re hosting guests or preparing a cozy weeknight dinner.

Developing Rich Flavor in Your Slow Cooker

To maximize the savory depth, a simple seasoning rub and quick sear (optional, but worth the extra few minutes) helps lock in juices and caramelization. Combined with onions, garlic, and a robust sauce—often based on beef broth, tomatoes, and red wine—the result is a complex, comforting dish. The ribs gently simmer, surrounded by flavor, until they’re irresistibly tender.

Effortless Assembly for Juicy Short Ribs

Place onion, garlic, and carrots on the bottom of the crockpot. Top with seasoned short ribs and cover with sauce. Set your slow cooker and walk away—the flavors develop and the beef becomes luscious, all with hands-off cooking. Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to mop up the delicious sauce.

Serving Suggestions for Unforgettable Beef Short Ribs

For an elegant presentation, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with your favorite comforting sides. This dish can easily be paired with a green vegetable or a simple salad, making it perfect for both family dinners and special occasions. Even better, leftovers only get richer in flavor after an overnight rest.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each portion (with sauce and vegetables) offers roughly 600 calories, depending on the size of your short ribs and any additional ingredients used. It’s a hearty main course ideal for keeping everyone satisfied.

Crockpot Beef Short Ribs (Recap)

Stress-free yet gourmet, these slow cooker beef short ribs deliver classic comfort with the modern convenience of set-it-and-forget-it prep. Their unbeatable tenderness and flavor are bound to win over any dinner crowd.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Optional but recommended: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs for 1–2 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to the crockpot.
2. Layer the sliced onion, sliced carrots, and minced garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker.
3. Arrange the seared (or raw) short ribs on top of the vegetables.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the short ribs in the crockpot.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours, or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and falling off the bone.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if desired. Serve hot with sides of your choice.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Crockpot Beef Short Ribs recipe is a top contender for weekly meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe to organize your dinners and automatically compile a smart shopping list with all ingredients consolidated for the week.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient quantities across all scheduled meals
– Organizes grocery lists by store section for maximum efficiency
– Reduces both duplicate purchases and missed ingredients
– Streamlines your entire weekly meal prep routine

Pro tip: When planning multiple dinners, schedule recipes to automatically update your shopping list as you add more meals. This ensures accurate quantities and helps minimize both food waste and extra trips to the store.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours (LOW) or 4–5 hours (HIGH)
Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes (on LOW)