Easy Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Recipe
These slow cooker beef short ribs are the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Made with just 4 simple ingredients, this crockpot beef short ribs recipe delivers rich, fall-off-the-bone meat with a savory barbecue sauce that tastes like it simmered all day. The slow cooker does all the hard work, making this an easy dinner recipe everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Recipe
- Easy 4-ingredient crockpot meal
- Tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone beef
- Perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday dinners
- Rich homemade-style barbecue flavor
- Minimal prep and easy cleanup
- Family-friendly comfort food recipe
Ingredients
- 3 to 3½ pounds bone-in beef short ribs
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
Directions
- Place the beef short ribs in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Scatter sliced onions over the ribs.
- In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth and barbecue sauce.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the ribs.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–9 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
- Skim excess fat from the sauce if desired.
- Optional: Simmer the cooking liquid on the stovetop for a thicker, richer sauce.
- Serve hot over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
Recipe Benefits
This easy crockpot beef recipe is packed with protein and slow-cooked for incredible tenderness and flavor. Using a slow cooker helps lock in moisture, creating juicy beef ribs without constant monitoring. It’s also a budget-friendly family meal that tastes restaurant-quality with very little effort.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these slow cooker BBQ beef short ribs with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Steamed rice
- Buttered egg noodles
- Roasted carrots or green beans
- Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread
Tips & Variations
- Use smoky barbecue sauce for deeper flavor.
- Add smoked paprika for extra richness.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar for a tangy twist.
- Add carrots for a sweeter family-friendly version.
- Garnish with green onions for extra color and flavor.
