Slow Cooker Beef Ribs (with Beer and Onion)
11 Comments Oct 10, 2022
Updated May 06, 2025
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Slow Cooker Beer and Onion Beef Ribs are slow-cooked with beer and onion soup mix for a fantastic taste. This recipe seriously couldn’t get any better! I wanted to do something special with these ribs, so I’m skipping the barbecue sauce recipe this time.
The way the house smells when beef and beer cook together, I can’t even describe it! Pure heaven, let me tell you. Crockpot Beer Ribs will be your favorite ribs recipe yet!
Crockpot Beer Ribs are a no-fuss way to get tender, flavorful beef ribs with tons of savory goodness. Lipton onion soup mix and beer do all the heavy lifting—adding rich flavor and helping the ribs cook down until they’re fall-apart tender. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do its thing!
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Key Ingredients for Beef Ribs
This flavor combination is a match made in heaven. Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
- Beef Ribs: Beef back ribs (also known as spare ribs) are the perfect size for this recipe. You’ll need about 3-5 lbs. in total for this rib recipe. I used 2 small packages.
- Beer: I used a Bud Light but you can choose any light beer of your choice.
- Cooking Oil: Used to brown at least one side of the beef ribs.
- Onion Soup Mix: Adds the finishing taste of flavor to the beer and onion beef ribs. We also use this mix in our Lipton Onion Potatoes.
- Onion: You’ll want to cut the onion into thick slices for the perfect bite.
How to Make Beef Ribs in the Crockpot
Step One – Start by placing a large pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Brown the ribs, no need to cook through. Place ribs in the slow cooker.
Step Two – Pour beer over ribs (use your favorite). Spread onion slices evenly and add one envelope of Lipton Onion Soup Mix.
Step Three – Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until tender without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Step Four – Serve and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Here are my favorite ways to eat these ribs:
- These fall-off-the-bone ribs would go perfectly with traditional sides such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or other roasted veggies of your choice.
- You can also serve the ribs and onions on a bed of white or brown rice. You can even add a touch of bbq sauce to each plate.
- And don’t forget the bread! A good buttery dinner roll, French bread, or baguette would taste great.
Featured Comment
“We used pork ribs and near beer (na). The meat fell right off the bone. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks.”
– Denise
Slow Cooker Beef Ribs (Beer and Onion)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 4 lbs. beef back ribs, (3-5 lbs. in total; I used 2 small packages; also called spare ribs)
- 1 oz. Lipton onion soup mix
- 1 large onion, thickly sliced
- 12 oz. beer , (I use Bud Light, Coors Light or any other light beer I have on hand)
Instructions
- Place a large pan over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking oil. Brown the beef ribs. (I could only brown one side since they have such a curve on the other side.) I left the ribs in 4-5 ribs per section, though you can cut the ribs individually if desired.
- Place the ribs into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the onion soup mix, onions, and pour over the beer.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- If you prefer, you can degrease the sauce before serving by placing paper towels over the top of the sauce and removing it! Works like a charm!
- Serve and enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
- You can use beef broth instead of beer if needed. You can also use a red wine such as red blend or merlot.
- Place any leftover ribs into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Want pork ribs instead? You can use country-style ribs or pork baby back ribs.
- These fall-off-the-bone ribs would go perfectly with traditional sides such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or other roasted veggies of your choice.
- You can also serve the ribs and onions on a bed of white or brown rice. You can even add a touch of bbq sauce to each plate.
- And don’t forget the bread! A good buttery dinner roll, French bread, or baguette would taste great.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Crockpot Ribs Recipes:
Tender and flavorful, slow cooker baby back ribs or slow cooker country style ribs are easy to make in the slow cooker and perfect for laid-back dinners.
If you’re craving comfort food, crockpot beef short ribs or pork ribs with sauerkraut are rich, hearty choices that cook up beautifully low and slow.
For a twist on traditional ribs, try the sweet-savory combo of teriyaki ribs or go bold with Dr. Pepper ribs for a tangy, saucy finish.
Thanks they are good
We used pork ribs and near beer (na). The meat fell right off the bone. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks.
How long would I cook 2.75 pounds of bone
less short ribs in the slow cooker?
I would start with 7 hours on low.
Do you have to brown or can you just put them in the slow cooker?
No you do not! 🙂 Still will be good.
U think i Can use steak instead of ribs ?
I think that would be good! Let me know how it turns out!
Simple and easy! And they do look yummy.
Yum!! I bet this would make an awesome pot roast too!! Great recipe Sarah!
Easy, & “Delicious”!… [Adding, different Veggies would add to this Dish?…]. Adding Flour, during the last 20 mins, would make a Gravy!… EXPERIMENT!!! All part of the Culinary Arts!…