Slow Cooker Short Ribs


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These Slow Cooker Short Ribs make the perfect beef and veggie meal for busy weekdays or relaxing weekends. All you need are ribs, carrots, and a variety of tasty seasonings.

If you pick up some extra ribs, use them to make my Slow Cooker Beer and Onion Beef Ribs.

tongs grabbing short ribs from a slow cooker.
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Why You’ll Love This Beef Short Ribs Recipe

Using your crock pot to cook short ribs is the key to this recipe and also helps you take the guesswork out of yielding the perfect finish. It’s common to use a Dutch oven to cook these, but making slow cooker short ribs frees up oven space and keeps your kitchen cool in the process. This recipe not only has the short ribs but also has carrots and a tomato garlic gravy!

It’s also a versatile meal that allows you to add more vegetables, seasonings, and overall flavors. The slow cooking process marries the flavors together, and it’s sure to fill your kitchen with a wonderful aroma. You may also like my slow cooker country-style ribs. If you are looking for a dutch oven recipe, try this short ribs recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for slow cooker short ribs on a table.
  • Beef Short Ribs: About 2 lbs. will yield nice serving amounts. You can use boneless short ribs or bone in beef short ribs.
  • Cooking Oil: For searing the beef ribs.
  • Carrots: Peeled and cut in half.
  • Tomato Paste: Combined to make the cooking liquid.
  • Beef Broth: Helps flavor the cooking liquid.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, onion powder, minced garlic.

Step-by-Step Directions

six images showing how to make slow cooker short ribs.

Step One – Sprinkle the short ribs with the salt and pepper. Brown the meat on all sides in a large skillet with oil heated over medium-high heat. (No need to cook through.)

Step Two – Place the browned short ribs into the slow cooker.

Step Three – (Do not rinse the pan.) Add the beef broth, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, onion powder, and garlic to the pan. Use a spatula to scrape up any bits of meat from the bottom of the pan into the sauce. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring often.

Step Four – Add the carrots over the braised short ribs.

Step Five – Pour the sauce from the skillet over the short ribs and carrots.

Step Six – Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours. This can go on for 8 hours to yield really tender meat, but the meat will not stay on the bones. Serve cooked short ribs and enjoy!

overhead shot of slow cooker short ribs.

How to Serve

  • Serve this fork tender beef alongside the slow cooked carrots for a delicious one-pot meal.
  • You can use the braised beef short ribs cooking liquid to make a creamy gravy to pour on top of the beef.
  • This dish also pairs great with other roasted vegetables, a crisp side salad, mashed potatoes (try my slow cooker mashed potatoes or slow cooker baked potatoes), and rolls or homemade biscuits.
  • {The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images}
close-up of slow cooker short ribs on a plate.

Recipe FAQs

How do I make gravy for these crockpot short ribs?

Create a cornstarch slurry to mix with a portion of the cooking juice. Heat in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the desired thickness is created.

What other vegetables can I add?

You can add onions, baby carrots (instead of the big ones), broccoli, and even mushrooms.

How do I store leftovers?

Place any remaining beef and carrots in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the oven until warmed throughout.

What other seasonings can I use with this recipe?

Depending on the flavor profile you’re aiming for, you can use bay leaves, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar to create a braising liquid.

Can I add red wine?

Yes, add one cup of your favorite red wine (and omit one cup of beef broth).

overhead shot of serving of slow cooker short ribs.

More Slow Cooker Rib Recipes:

overhead shot of slow cooker short ribs.

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Slow Cooker Short Ribs along with carrots and Garlic Tomato Gravy. Perfect for an easy Sunday dinner!

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 lbs. beef short ribs
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • tsp. pepper
  • 2 tsp. cooking oil
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • ¼ cup tomato paste, (1/2 small can)
  • 1 ½ tsp. dried oregano
  • ½ tsp. dried thyme
  • ½ tsp. onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 4 carrots, peeled and cut in half

Instructions 

  • Sprinkle the short ribs with the salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. When the oil is hot, brown the meat on all sides. No need to cook through. Place the browned short ribs into the slow cooker.
  • Do not rinse the pan, add the beef broth, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, onion powder and garlic to the pan. Use a spatula to scrape up any bits of meat from the bottom of the pan into the sauce. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring often.
  • Add the carrots over the short ribs. Pour the sauce from the skillet over the short ribs and carrots.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours. This can go for 8 hours, but the meat will not stay on the bones at all.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

  • You can add onions, baby carrots (instead of the big ones), broccoli, and even mushrooms.
  • One cup of red wine can be added (omit one cup of beef broth if you do).
  • Place any remaining beef and carrots in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the oven until warmed throughout.
  • Want to make a gravy? Create a cornstarch slurry to mix with a portion of the cooking juice. Heat in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the desired thickness is created.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 981mg | Potassium: 1359mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 28679IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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17 Comments

  1. Nan t says:

    Why canโ€™t I print the recipe,

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      there is a print button on the recipe card. Is it not working?

  2. Wanda says:

    5 stars
    YUMMMMMMM

  3. Lisa Hunadi says:

    5 stars
    Hello Sara,
    I have made this dish several times and today I made it again and it was delicious.. I used baby carrots and served it over mashed potatoes. I thickened the gravy using cornstarch & cold water , came out perfect ! My husband asked for this today on memorial day!
    Thank you again ..I really enjoy making your crockpot receipes
    Best regards,

    Lisa H