Description
These Slow Cooker Short Ribs are melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with rich, comforting flavor. Slowly cooked with carrots, garlic, and a savory red wine sauce, this dish makes an easy comfort food dinner that feels special while staying perfect for lazy dinners and family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- Kosher salt, to taste
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- 3½–4 lbs beef short ribs, bone-in or boneless
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 5 whole garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cups beef broth
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 lbs carrots, cut into halves or thirds
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Season the Short Ribs: Pat the short ribs dry and season generously with salt. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, pepper, and chili powder, then rub evenly over the meat.
- Sear the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs in batches for about 1 minute per side until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Build the Flavor Base: Reduce heat to medium and add onions, garlic, and red wine to the skillet. Scrape the bottom of the pan and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the bouillon cube, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker along with beef broth, thyme, and carrots.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours until the ribs are fork-tender.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove carrots and skim excess fat from the sauce. Mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker liquid. Cover and cook on high for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Serve: Spoon sauce over mashed potatoes and serve with short ribs and carrots.
Notes
Bone-in short ribs provide the best flavor and tenderness. Sear the meat in batches to avoid steaming. Salt generously so the seasoning penetrates during slow cooking. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 613
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1954mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 53g
- Cholesterol: 156mg
Keywords: slow cooker short ribs, beef short ribs, comfort food dinner, easy dinner recipes