Slow Cooker Asian-Style Beef Short Ribs

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 8 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
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This Slow Cooker Asian-Style Beef Short Ribs recipe is your ticket to a flavor-packed dinner with minimal effort. These ribs are rich, tender, and infused with savory and sweet notes that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Asian-Style Beef Short Ribs

Beef short ribs are the star of the show, offering rich, meaty flavors that absorb the sauce perfectly. The soy sauce brings umami and saltiness, while brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance it out. Rice vinegar provides a slight tang, contrasting beautifully with the richness of the beef. Sesame oil introduces a nutty aroma that ties the flavors together. Garlic and ginger lend a classic Asian kick, and a hint of red pepper flakes gives just enough heat to keep things interesting. The cornstarch and water slurry helps thicken the sauce to a luscious glaze. For a fresh finish, green onions and sesame seeds add color and a bit of crunch.

Tips & Tricks

  • For a deeper flavor, marinate the ribs in the sauce overnight before cooking.
  • Trim excess fat from the ribs to avoid a greasy sauce.
  • If you're short on time, sear the ribs in a hot pan before adding them to the slow cooker to lock in the juices.

Serving Suggestions

These ribs pair excellently with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce. Add a side of stir-fried vegetables like broccoli or snap peas for a complete meal. For a fresh twist, serve with a cucumber salad drizzled with rice vinegar and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another cut of beef?
Yes, beef chuck or brisket would work well if short ribs are unavailable.
Is there a substitute for rice vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used in place of rice vinegar.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Feel free to add more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha for extra heat.

Slow Cooker Asian-Style Beef Short Ribs Recipe Walkthrough

First, grab a large bowl and whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes. This is your sauce, and it's the heart of the dish. Make sure everything is well combined so every bit of flavor gets into the ribs.

Next, place your beef short ribs into the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the ribs, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for about 8 hours. This is the perfect opportunity to let time and gentle heat work their magic, breaking down the meat until it's melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Once the ribs are done, carefully remove them and keep them warm while you finish the sauce. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir this into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Turn the heat to high and let it cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.

Finally, serve the ribs drizzled with that wonderfully thickened sauce, and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. They add just the right touch of freshness and crunch.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Effortless: Let the slow cooker do the hard work while you get on with your day.
  • Complex flavors: A perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy.
  • Perfect for gatherings: Feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

4 lbs beef short ribs
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup sesame oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
2. Place the beef short ribs in the slow cooker, pour the sauce over them, ensuring they are well coated.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the ribs are tender.
4. Once cooked, remove the ribs and keep warm.
5. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker.
6. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook the sauce for an additional 15 minutes, or until it thickens.
7. Serve ribs with sauce, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

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