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bone-in beef short ribs slow cooker

Tender, fall-off-the-bone bone-in beef short ribs slow cooked in a rich, savory sauce. This comforting dish delivers deep flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Ribs
  • 3 lb bone-in beef short ribs trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for searing
For the Aromatic Base
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
For the Braising Liquid
  • 3 cups beef broth divided
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Method
 

  1. Pat the ribs dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear ribs on all sides until deeply browned.
  2. Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth, scraping up browned bits.
  3. Add sliced onion and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker.
  4. Place seared ribs on top of the onion and garlic layer.
  5. Mix broth, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
  6. Pour the liquid over the ribs. Add thyme, paprika, and bay leaf.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours until ribs are tender.
  8. Remove bay leaf. Transfer ribs to a serving dish and spoon sauce over the top.
  9. Optional: Reduce or thicken sauce using your preferred method before serving.

Notes

For deeper flavor, preheat the cooking liquid before adding it to the slow cooker. You can thicken the sauce by reducing it, making a roux, or using a cornstarch slurry. Serve with mashed potatoes, polenta, or vegetables for a complete meal.