Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe

Juicy & Tender Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe for Cozy Meals

Have you ever dreamed about melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker beef ribs that practically dance with flavor?

Succulent meat promises an incredible culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Tender chunks of protein become your secret weapon for impressing dinner companions.

Rich marinades and careful seasoning guarantee remarkable results every single time.

Weekend gatherings deserve something spectacular, and these ribs deliver exactly that experience.

Home kitchens can transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals with minimal effort.

I promise this recipe will become your new favorite comfort food sensation.

Dive into a cooking journey that guarantees deliciousness without complicated techniques.

Slow Cooked Beef Ribs That Fall Right Off The Bone

Slow Cooked Beef Ribs That Fall Right Off The Bone
  • Quick to Prepare: Minimal prep work with just seasoning, searing, and slow cooking makes this recipe a breeze for busy home cooks.
  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Low and slow cooking ensures tender, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs that require zero effort to chew.
  • Flavor-Packed Goodness: The combination of tomato paste, honey, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce creates a rich, complex sauce that elevates the meat's natural taste.
  • Versatile Meal Option: Perfect for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or meal prepping with easy serving and minimal cleanup required.

Beef Rib Seasonings for Slow Cooker Recipe

Main Protein:
  • Beef Ribs: Tender, flavorful cut of meat perfect for slow cooking, preferably with good marbling for extra juiciness and rich taste.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the natural beef flavor, freshly ground recommended for best taste.
Cooking Liquids and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Beef Stock: Provides moisture and additional depth of flavor during slow cooking.
  • Coconut Oil: Helps with initial searing to lock in meat's flavor and create a golden-brown exterior.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Tomato Paste: Adds rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the cooking sauce.
  • Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps caramelize the ribs.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes tangy, umami complexity to the overall dish.
Aromatics and Spices:
  • Minced Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic base flavor to the sauce.
  • Ground Ginger: Offers subtle warmth and slight spiciness to complement the meat's richness.

Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe – Crockpot Directions

Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe - Crockpot Directions

Step 1: Seasoning The Beef Ribs

Grab your beef ribs and sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper generously over every surface of the meat.

Make sure to coat each side thoroughly to enhance the deep flavor profile.

Step 2: Searing The Meat

Heat a large skillet and add coconut oil, allowing it to melt and become super hot.

Carefully place the seasoned ribs into the pan and sear them for 4-5 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust develops.

This step locks in the rich flavors and creates an incredible caramelized exterior.

Step 3: Transferring To Slow Cooker

Move the beautifully seared ribs into the slow cooker and pour beef stock directly over them, ensuring the liquid covers part of the meat.

Step 4: Creating Flavor Explosion Sauce

In a mixing bowl, combine these ingredients:
  • Tomato paste
  • Honey
  • Minced garlic
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Ground ginger

Whisk everything together until well blended, then pour this delectable sauce mixture evenly over the ribs in the slow cooker.

Step 5: Slow Cooking Magic

Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat.

Allow the ribs to cook for 6-7 hours, letting the meat become incredibly tender and practically falling off the bone.

Step 6: Serving Your Masterpiece

Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and plate them with your favorite side dishes.

Drizzle the remaining cooking sauce over the top for an extra burst of flavor.

Rib Tips With Slow Cooker Juiciness

  • Brown the ribs thoroughly in a hot pan before slow cooking to develop a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in deep, savory taste.
  • Select well-marbled beef ribs with good fat content to ensure tender, juicy meat that falls off the bone after slow cooking.
  • If the cooking sauce is too thin, remove the ribs and simmer the liquid on the stovetop to reduce and thicken for a more intense flavor.
  • Experiment with additional spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or chili powder to personalize the rib's flavor profile without overwhelming the meat.
  • These ribs taste even better the next day, so prepare in advance and gently reheat in the sauce to keep the meat moist and tender.

Beef Ribs from the Slow Cooker Store Tender and Rich

  • Store leftover beef ribs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Wrap ribs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months to maintain best quality and flavor.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ribs in a baking dish, add a splash of beef stock to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
  • Place ribs on a microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to avoid overcooking.

Side Ideas For Beef Ribs

  • Pair Robust Red Wines: Select full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that complement the rich, meaty flavor of beef ribs and stand up to their intense taste profile.
  • Match with Hearty Sides: Choose creamy mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or tangy coleslaw to balance the ribs' deep savory notes and provide textural contrast.
  • Create Craft Beer Harmony: Opt for dark, malty beers like stouts or porter that echo the beef's deep caramelized flavors and cut through the richness with their robust character.
  • Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Garnish the dish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro to add a bright, clean element that lightens the heavy meat and provides a fresh counterpoint to the intense cooking sauce.

Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe Options

  • Keto-Friendly Ribs: Replace honey with sugar-free maple syrup and use bone broth instead of beef stock to maintain low-carb macronutrients.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Verify Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free or substitute with coconut aminos to ensure no wheat-based ingredients are used.
  • Spicy Herb Variation: Add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and fresh rosemary to the seasoning mix for a bolder flavor profile with increased heat.
  • Smoky BBQ Twist: Mix in sugar-free BBQ sauce or create a homemade version using tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and sugar substitute for a rich, tangy coating.

FAQs

  • Why sear the ribs before slow cooking?

Searing locks in the flavor and creates a delicious caramelized crust on the meat, which enhances the overall taste and texture of the ribs.

  • Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey?

Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or brown sugar. Each will provide a slightly different flavor profile but still maintain the sweetness needed in the recipe.

  • How do I know when the ribs are perfectly cooked?

The ribs are done when the meat is tender and easily falls off the bone. After 6-7 hours on low heat, the meat should be so soft that it practically melts in your mouth.

  • What type of beef ribs work best for this recipe?

Short ribs or beef back ribs are ideal for this slow cooker method. They have enough fat content to become tender and flavorful during the long, slow cooking process.

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Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe


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4.7 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mouthwatering slow cooker beef ribs promise a tender, flavor-packed journey through hearty home cooking. Succulent meat falls effortlessly off the bone, inviting you to savor each delicious bite of comfort and culinary passion.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 lbs (1.8 kg) beef short ribs

Cooking Liquid and Flavoring Agents:

  • 2 cups (473 ml) beef stock
  • 1 cup (240 ml) tomato paste
  • 4 tablespoons (60 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 tablespoons (60 ml) honey

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 34 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Sea salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Generously coat each rib with a blend of salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring complete coverage on all surfaces.
  2. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling environment for achieving a rich, caramelized exterior on the ribs.
  3. Carefully brown the seasoned ribs for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, developing a deep golden crust that locks in robust flavors.
  4. Gently transfer the seared ribs into the slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer to promote even cooking.
  5. Pour beef stock around the ribs, creating a moisture-rich cooking environment.
  6. Whisk together tomato paste, honey, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and ground ginger in a separate bowl to create a complex, tangy-sweet marinade.
  7. Drizzle the prepared sauce evenly over the ribs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the flavorful mixture.
  8. Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, allowing the ribs to tenderize and develop intense flavors over 6-7 hours.
  9. Verify doneness by checking that the meat is exceptionally tender and effortlessly separates from the bone.
  10. Remove ribs from the slow cooker and let rest briefly before plating.
  11. Garnish with the remaining cooking sauce and serve alongside complementary side dishes for a complete, mouthwatering meal.

Notes

  • Ensure even browning by patting ribs dry with paper towels before searing to remove excess moisture.
  • Cut larger rib racks into smaller sections for more consistent cooking and easier handling in the slow cooker.
  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce and check that all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Enhance flavor by marinating ribs overnight in the sauce mixture before cooking to deepen the taste profile and tenderize the meat.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 45 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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