Zesty Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 8 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
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Meet your new favorite comfort dish: Zesty Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs. With a rich, tangy sauce and fall-off-the-bone tender meat, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a meal that feels like a warm hug. Perfect for lazy weekends or impressing guests without the stress.

Ingredients for Zesty Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

Beef short ribs are the star of this dish, delivering rich, meaty flavor and a tender texture when slow-cooked. Olive oil helps sear the ribs, locking in their juices. Onion and garlic provide a savory base, enhancing the depth of the sauce. Beef broth adds richness, while apple cider vinegar brings a necessary tang. Soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce boost umami, and honey adds a hint of sweetness. Tomato paste thickens the sauce and adds depth. Dijon mustard gives a gentle kick, and smoked paprika imparts a subtle smokiness. Finally, a touch of salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes rounds out the flavor profile.

Tips & Tricks

  • Sear the ribs in batches if your skillet is small. Avoid overcrowding to ensure a good sear.
  • For a thicker sauce, reduce it on the stove after straining.
  • Consider using a fat separator to easily remove excess fat from the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these ribs with creamy mashed potatoes or a crusty loaf of bread to soak up the sauce. A side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad complements the rich flavors and balances the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless ribs?
Yes, boneless ribs will work, though you might find the bone-in variety adds a bit more flavor.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! These ribs taste even better the next day. Store them in their sauce in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Zesty Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Recipe Walkthrough

Start by seasoning your beef short ribs with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. This simple step ensures the meat is flavorful from the get-go. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it shimmers, add the ribs, searing them for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. This browning process is crucial as it locks in those savory juices and adds depth to your dish.

Transfer the beautifully browned ribs to your slow cooker. In the same skillet, toss in the sliced onion and minced garlic. Sauté these until they soften and become fragrant, lifting any browned bits stuck to the pan. This step adds layers of flavor that will infuse the sauce.

Next, pour in the beef broth, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the honey, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let this mixture come to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld.

Carefully pour this aromatic mixture over the ribs in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. This long, slow process breaks down the meat, resulting in ribs so tender they practically melt in your mouth.

When the ribs are done, remove them from the cooker. Strain the sauce into a saucepan, skimming off any excess fat. Drizzle the sauce over the ribs when serving, or allow guests to add their own.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Hands-off cooking: Let your slow cooker do the work while you relax.
  • Bold flavors: A perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy.
  • Impressive yet easy: Looks like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen—only you’ll know how simple it was!

Ingredients

4 lbs beef short ribs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Season the beef short ribs with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear the beef ribs until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Transfer ribs to the slow cooker.
5. In the same skillet, add onions and garlic, sautéing until softened.
6. Mix in beef broth, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then pour over the ribs in the slow cooker.
8. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until ribs are tender.
9. Once done, remove ribs and strain sauce, skimming excess fat.
10. Serve ribs with sauce drizzled on top.

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