Slow Cooker Short Ribs: These short ribs are easy to make and are cooked slowly in beer with carrots and parsnips. You can use the Instant Pot or the oven to make them. Fall off the bone tender and delicious.
If you’re looking for a deliciously easy way to cook pork short ribs until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender, look no further than the slow cooker! By braising pork short ribs low and slow in flavorful liquid all day in the crockpot, they transform from a tough cut into meltingly tender meat that literally falls off the bones.
As a busy home cook, I love that cooking short ribs in the slow cooker frees up my oven while infusing the ribs with mouthwatering flavor. The meat turns succulent and juicy, and the cooking liquid becomes an incredible gravy, all with very little hands-on effort. Follow my simple step-by-step method to learn how to make crazy tender pork short ribs in the crockpot to treat your family to a special home-cooked meal.
Benefits of Slow Cooker Short Ribs
There are several advantages to choosing the slow cooker for braising short ribs:
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Requires only quick browning step, then set and forget all day.
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Tenderizes tough connective tissues in ribs.
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Infuses ribs with flavor from spices, herbs and braising liquid
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Allows fat to melt into meat keeping it juicy.
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Concentrates flavors as liquid reduces to rich gravy.
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Frees up the oven for side dishes.
Choosing the Right Pork Short Ribs
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Select 3-4 lbs bone-in pork short ribs for 4-6 servings.
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Meat should cover half of bone and be evenly distributed.
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Pick ribs with nice marbling but not excessive fat.
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Avoid very thick or uneven ribs that won’t cook evenly.
Preparing Short Ribs for the Slow Cooker
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Rinse and pat ribs completely dry with paper towels.
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Rub ribs all over with a spice blend: salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder.
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For deeper flavor, coat ribs in spices overnight before cooking.
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Quickly sear ribs in a skillet before slow cooking (optional).
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Place ribs stacked vertically in slow cooker insert.
Pork Short Rib Slow Cooker Liquid
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Pour in chicken or beef broth to come 1/3 up ribs.
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Add aromatics: onions, carrots, garlic, ginger, bay leaves.
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Use red or white wine, beer or apple cider instead of some broth.
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Stir in tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard.
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Avoid too much acidic liquid that can toughen meat.
Cooking Time for Pork Short Ribs
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Cook 6-8 hours on low until fork tender.
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Don’t cook ribs less than 6 hours or they will be tough.
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Check ribs after 6 hours. Cook up to 8-10 hours for maximum tenderness.
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When done, meat will pull cleanly off the bones.
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Bones should wiggle easily when ready.
Finishing Slow Cooker Pork Short Ribs
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Carefully remove ribs and keep warm.
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Strain and defat cooking liquid.
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Make gravy by simmering liquid to reduce and thicken.
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Check for seasoning and adjust as needed.
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Serve braised ribs and gravy over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
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Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions.
Tips and Variations
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Cook on high for 4-6 hours but check ribs sooner.
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Use root vegetables instead of onions and carrots.
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Add dried or fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano.
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For spicy ribs, stir in chili sauce or red pepper flakes.
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Make sandwiches by shredding meat after cooking.
With this easy method, you can enjoy succulent, flavorful pork short ribs straight from your slow cooker any night of the week. The low temperature gently breaks down the connective tissues while the flavorful braising liquid keeps the meat incredibly moist. Letting the cooked ribs rest in the liquid also allows them to reabsorb all the delicious juices. I hope you’ll give these simple crockpot ribs a try soon and see just how mouthwateringly tender short ribs can be!
What can I use instead Guinness?
Irish stout Guinness has a deep dark brown color and a thick, rich head when it is poured. While the color may intimidate you, the flavor is surprisingly light. That’s one smooth treat! If you want to use something other than beer in this recipe, I suggest Irish stouts. A red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, or Zinfandel is another great way to braise short ribs. For a non-alcoholic substitute use a low sodium beef broth.
Can I make these short ribs in the pressure cooker?
You should follow the steps given above, which include browning and sautéing in the pressure cooker on the sauté setting. Put the ingredients in the pot and make sure to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pot after adding the broth. Cook on high pressure for 45 minutes and then let the pressure go away on its own before serving.
Braising involves dry and moist cooking methods. To start, you sear the meat and then bake or slow cook it in a bath of liquid until it’s soft. This makes meat super moist and tender.
- If you want to buy short ribs, get the ones with the bones still on because they are cheaper and taste better when cooked.
- You don’t have to trim the fat off of the short ribs because it will keep the meat moist while it’s cooking and also melt off.
- First, dry the short ribs with paper towels, and then season them a lot. This is the first step to making braised ribs that taste great.
Many tasty side dishes go well with this main dish. Here are some suggestions to make your mouth water:
Store leftover short ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
You can also freeze these ribs, also stored in an airtight container or freezer bags. They will last in the freezer, if properly stored, for up to 2 months.
Super Easy Slow Cooker Ribs – Fall Off The Bone BBQ Ribs Recipe
FAQ
Why are my short ribs not tender in the crockpot?
Should ribs be covered in liquid in slow cooker?
Are short ribs better in the oven or crock pot?
Do short ribs get more tender the longer you cook them?
Can you cook pork short ribs in a crock pot?
Place the seasoned pork short ribs into the crock pot. Pour the BBQ sauce over the ribs, making sure to coat them thoroughly. Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The longer cooking time will result in more tender and fall-off-the-bone ribs.
How do you cook beef short ribs in a slow cooker?
Sprinkle the bone-in beef short ribs with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat. In batches, brown the ribs on all sides. Transfer the browned ribs to a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker. Add the cut carrots, beef broth, thyme sprigs and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Add the cut onions to the same skillet.
How do you cook ribs in a crock pot?
Put your ribs in the crockpot. Drizzle on 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce, reserving 1/2 cup for later. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. The more racks in the pot, the longer you’ll need to cook. Gently remove the racks and lay them out on a foil lined baking sheet. Add the reserved barbecue sauce on top.
Can you put ribs in a slow cooker?
Place ribs in your slow cooker with the meat side facing the wall of the slow cooker. It may slide down during cooking and that is fine. This just helps you to fit a whole rack into the slow cooker and to ensure even cooking. And with an oval slow cooker like this one, I can actually add in a second rack of ribs.