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Slow Cooker Short Ribs

This slow cooker short rib recipe makes it easy to enjoy a comforting meal with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, for thickening

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Large skillet
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Start by patting the short ribs dry with paper towels.
  2. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over the short ribs.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs on all sides until they are nicely browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  4. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Add a splash of beef broth to deglaze the skillet and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom.
  6. Transfer the browned ribs to the slow cooker. Pour in the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, remaining beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, and smoked paprika.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  8. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with a bit of cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Notes

For even more flavor, let the short ribs marinate overnight in the seasoning before cooking.