11 Tender Short Ribs Recipes for Slow Cooking

There’s something magical about the aroma of short ribs simmering away in a slow cooker, filling the house with rich, savory notes that transport me back to my childhood. I remember Sunday dinners at my grandparents’ house, where Grandma would braise beef short ribs low and slow in her ancient Dutch oven. The meat would fall off the bone, melting in your mouth with every bite, paired with simple mashed potatoes. Those meals were pure comfort, teaching me early on that patience in the kitchen yields the most rewarding flavors.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with my slow cooker during hectic workweeks, turning tough short ribs into tender masterpieces with minimal effort. In a world of rushed meals, slow cooking short ribs is a game-changer—set it and forget it while you tackle your day. These recipes highlight diverse global twists on this classic cut, proving short ribs deserve a spot in every home cook’s rotation for their unbeatable juiciness and depth of flavor.

Classic Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs bone-in short ribs, 2 cups red wine, 1 onion (quartered), 4 carrots (chopped), 4 garlic cloves (smashed), 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, salt, pepper, thyme sprigs.

Season short ribs with salt and pepper, sear in a hot skillet for 5 minutes per side, then transfer to slow cooker. Sauté onions, carrots, garlic, and tomato paste; deglaze with wine and broth. Pour over ribs, add thyme, and cook on low for 8 hours until fork-tender. Serve over mashed potatoes.

These ribs become incredibly succulent, with the wine tenderizing the meat and creating a glossy sauce packed with umami—perfect for a cozy dinner, offering collagen-rich benefits for joint health.

Korean-Style Galbi Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs flanken-cut short ribs, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sesame oil, 6 garlic cloves (minced), 2-inch ginger (grated), 2 pears (pureed), green onions, sesame seeds.

Whisk marinade ingredients, coat ribs, and marinate 2 hours or overnight. Place in slow cooker with marinade, cook on low 6-7 hours. Thicken sauce on stovetop if desired, garnish with sesame seeds and onions.

This fusion delivers sweet-savory tenderness with pear enzymes breaking down tough fibers, providing anti-inflammatory ginger benefits and a restaurant-quality glaze with minimal hands-on time.

Smoky BBQ Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 2 cups BBQ sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 1 onion (sliced), 3 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chili powder.

Rub ribs with paprika, chili, salt, and pepper. Layer onions and garlic in slow cooker, add ribs, pour in BBQ sauce mixture and broth. Cook low 8-10 hours, shred or serve whole.

Effortless BBQ flavor infuses deeply for pull-apart tenderness, rich in protein and B vitamins, ideal for game days or meal prep without firing up the grill.

Short Ribs with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 1 lb mushrooms (quartered), 12 oz pearl onions (peeled), 2 cups beef stock, 1 cup dry sherry, 4 garlic cloves, rosemary, butter.

Sear ribs, transfer to slow cooker. Sauté mushrooms, onions, garlic in butter; add to cooker with stock, sherry, rosemary. Cook low 8 hours.

Earthy mushrooms and sweet onions elevate the beefy richness, yielding melt-in-mouth texture loaded with antioxidants from veggies for immune-boosting comfort food.

Mexican Birria Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 4 dried guajillo chiles, 2 ancho chiles, 1 onion, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 4 cups beef broth, lime.

Toast and blend chiles with spices, onion, garlic. Pour over ribs in slow cooker with broth, cook low 8 hours. Shred for tacos.

Spicy, consommé-like broth tenderizes ribs perfectly for tacos or ramen, packed with capsaicin for metabolism boost and cultural flair.

Italian Short Rib Ragu

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 onion (diced), 2 carrots (diced), 2 celery stalks (diced), 4 garlic cloves, 1 cup red wine, basil.

Sear ribs, sauté soffritto (onion, carrot, celery, garlic), deglaze with wine, add tomatoes. Slow cook low 8-9 hours, shred meat, toss with pasta.

Transforms into velvety ragu with lycopene-rich tomatoes for heart health, effortlessly feeding a crowd with authentic Italian soul.

Spicy Chipotle Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 4 chipotle peppers in adobo, 1 cup beef broth, 1 onion, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp honey, cumin, lime.

Blend chipotles, garlic, onion, honey, spices with broth. Pour over seasoned ribs in slow cooker, cook low 8 hours.

Heat builds bold smokiness, tenderizing with enzymes while honey balances spice—great for gut health from peppers.

Short Ribs with Root Vegetables

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 4 carrots, 4 parsnips, 2 potatoes (chunked), 1 onion, 2 cups broth, thyme, bay leaf.

Layer veggies in slow cooker, top with seared ribs, broth, herbs. Cook low 9 hours.

One-pot wonder where veggies absorb meat juices, providing fiber and vitamins alongside ultra-tender ribs for balanced nutrition.

Garlic Herb Butter Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 1/2 cup butter (melted), 8 garlic cloves (minced), fresh rosemary/thyme, 1 cup broth, lemon zest.

Mix butter, garlic, herbs, zest; rub on ribs. Slow cook with broth low 8 hours.

Herb-infused butter creates juicy, aromatic bliss, with garlic’s allicin for immunity and simple elegance.

Asian Sticky Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 1/2 cup hoisin, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, ginger/garlic, star anise.

Combine sauce ingredients, coat ribs, slow cook low 7-8 hours. Thicken sauce.

Sticky-sweet glaze from slow reduction, ginger aids digestion—party-ready finger food.

Coffee-Braised Short Ribs

Ingredients: 4 lbs short ribs, 1 cup strong coffee, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 onion, garlic, brown sugar, cumin.

Sear ribs, sauté onion/garlic, add coffee, broth, cocoa, spices. Slow cook low 8-9 hours.

Coffee’s acidity tenderizes uniquely, adding depth with antioxidants—adventurous twist for coffee lovers.

These 11 slow cooker short ribs recipes prove that with a little prep, you can achieve restaurant-worthy tenderness any night of the week. Dive in, experiment with your favorites, and let the slow cooker work its magic—your taste buds (and busy schedule) will thank you!