Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

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Crockpot Beef Short Ribs are a perfect holiday dinner or date night meal with big flavor and little effort.
Recipes Fives Halima
Updated on Wed, 14 May 2025 14:23:32 GMT
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Crockpot Beef Short Ribs offer a flavorful and tender main dish, perfect for holiday celebrations or special occasions. This recipe is worth the splurge, delivering a rich and satisfying meal with minimal effort.

This recipe has become a favorite in my household for its simplicity and impressive results. The combination of tender beef short ribs, aromatic herbs, and savory vegetables creates a dish that's both comforting and elegant. It's ideal for busy holidays or special occasions when you want a fancy meal without the fuss.

Essential Ingredients

  • Bone-In Beef Short Ribs: The star of the show, providing rich and tender meat.
  • Carrots and Mushrooms: Adds depth and texture to the dish.
  • Herbs/Spices: Thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and garlic enhance the flavor profile.
  • Flavor Boosters: Tomato paste and butter add richness and depth.
  • Liquid: Red wine and beef broth create a savory and aromatic sauce.

Browning the Beef Short Ribs

Season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper on all sides. Place them in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until browned on each side, about 5 minutes total. If you're short on time, you can skip this step and place the ribs directly into the crockpot, though browning adds texture.

Adding Ingredients to the Crockpot

Transfer the browned beef short ribs to a large crockpot. Add carrots, mushrooms, herbs, spices, tomato paste, butter, red wine, and beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.

Serving the Beef Short Ribs

Once the beef short ribs are falling off the bone, remove the herbs and set aside the vegetables. You can serve the ribs whole, cut them up, or shred them, depending on your preference.
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Crockpot Beef Short Ribs Recipe | recipesfives.com

Cooking Tips

  • Gravy Note: Don't discard the cooking liquid; it makes a wonderful gravy. You can thicken it by simmering or adding a cornstarch slurry.
  • Cooking Tip: Low and slow is best for this recipe. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 5 hours if you're short on time.
  • Alcohol Note: Red wine adds depth to the sauce, but you can substitute it with more beef broth or water if preferred.

This Crockpot Beef Short Ribs recipe is a delightful and elegant dish that's perfect for any special occasion. With its tender beef, aromatic herbs, and savory sauce, it's a meal that's sure to impress your guests and become a favorite in your household. Enjoy!

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Easy Crockpot Beef Short Ribs | recipesfives.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of beef short ribs is best for this recipe?
Bone-in beef short ribs are recommended for this recipe.
→ Can I use a different type of wine?
Red wine is optional, and you can use additional beef broth or water if you prefer.
→ How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Ensure all ingredients are gluten-free, and use gluten-free beef broth if needed.
→ What can I serve with these short ribs?
Serve with a side of mashed sweet potatoes or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
→ How long does this recipe take to prepare?
It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 8 hours to cook, totaling 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

Crockpot Beef Short Ribs combine bone-in beef short ribs, baby carrots, and mushrooms in a rich broth for a flavorful and tender dish.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
480 Minutes
Total Time
490 Minutes
By: Halima

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
02 3 cups baby carrots
03 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
04 2 cups beef broth
05 1 cup red wine (optional, see notes)
06 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 3 tbsp unsalted butter
08 1 bay leaf
09 8 sprigs fresh thyme
10 1 tbsp garlic, minced
11 Salt to taste
12 Pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Add salt and pepper to all sides of the short ribs. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown all the sides of each piece of short rib for about 20 seconds per side.

Step 02

Add all ingredients to a large crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours, or until meat is falling off the bone. Once finished, remove short ribs and vegetables, set aside. Discard herbs. Don't dispose of the liquid!

Step 03

Serve immediately with a side of mashed sweet potatoes and drizzle with the liquid from the crockpot.

Notes

  1. Tip: If you want your liquid to be thicker like gravy, combine ½ cup water and 1 tbsp of cornstarch and stir till combined. Add the liquid to a sauce pan over medium heat and whisk in water-cornstarch mixture. Whisk continuously until slightly thickened, about 2-4 minutes.
  2. Leftover Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To re-warm, microwave on high for 30-60 seconds.
  3. Recipe Alterations: You can swap the wine out for additional beef broth or even use water.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Crockpot
  • Sauce pan