A slow-cooked meal that’s worth the time.
How to cook short ribs in the crockpot.
Normally, I’m all about quick and easy recipes that save you time in the kitchen. Hey, we’re all busy these days, right? Between your kids’ schedules and your own, just getting dinner on the table at the end of the day is hard enough – you don’t need to make a production of it.
So those quick and easy meals are fine for every day. But then there are times – like holidays and company dinners – when you want to pull out all the stops. And for those special occasions, it’s worth going to a little more trouble to make something really spectacular.
Like, for example, ribs.
Beef back ribs – also known as short ribs – are too pricey to make all the time. But for a really special meal, they are sooooo worth it. Tender, meaty, savory…oh yeah.
The way I like to prepare these is a “dry rub,” which means you rub the spices into the meat and let them just sink in for a good 24 hours. So you have to plan ahead for that. And then, when it’s time to cook them, you have to do it in two stages – simmering them in the crock pot first, and then coating them with your favorite BBQ sauce and broiling them for about 3 minutes on each side. So this dish is definitely more work than an everyday dinner.
But once you taste it, I think you’ll agree…it’s worth the work. Looking for a baby back rib recipe? I’ve got one HERE!
Slow Cooker BBQ Short Ribs
- Mix together garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Wash, pat dry and season the ribs with your dry seasonings, rubbing on both sides of ribs.
- If possible, season the ribs at least 24 hours in advance. Once every 12 hours, give the ribs a shake and a rub and return to the refrigerator. (NOTE: You can also freeze them at this point to be used at later date – only if the meat has not been previously frozen) If you don’t have the time, and need to cook them the day of, they will still be completely delicious.
- Place into the slow cooker (5-6 qt). Add the water and the sliced onion. Cook on high for approximately 5 hours.
- When cooking is complete, remove the ribs and place onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment or foil, and if possible, a baking rack on top of that. If no rack is available, that is fine, the rack is only to help the air get to all sides of the ribs. Placing them on the parchment is quite fine.
- Sauce the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce liberally.
- Place in the oven on BROIL for approximately 3 minutes. Watch they do not burn!
- Turn them over and sauce them again. Back into the oven to broil for another 3 minutes or until they start to caramelize.. Remove from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes.
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TOOLS USED FOR THIS SLOW COOKER BBQ SHORT RIBS RECIPE
Slow Cooker: Here is one of my favorite crockpots!
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Food Tongs: Non-slip Surface design offer you the best control on food.
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Slow Cooker BBQ Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 racks short ribs beef back ribs - approx 10 individual ribs
- 1 onion sliced
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 Tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Mix together garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Wash, pat dry and season the ribs with your dry seasonings, rubbing on both sides of ribs.
- If possible, season the ribs at least 24 hours in advance. Once every 12 hours, give the ribs a shake and a rub and return to the refrigerator. (NOTE: You can also freeze them at this point to be used at later date – only if the meat has not been previously frozen) If you don't have the time, and need to cook them the day of, they will still be completely delicious.
- Place into the slow cooker (5-6 qt). Add the water and the sliced onion. Cook on high for approximately 5 hours.
- When cooking is complete, remove the ribs and place onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment or foil, and if possible, a baking rack on top of that. If no rack is available, that is fine, the rack is only to help the air get to all sides of the ribs. Placing them on the parchment is quite fine.
- Sauce the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce liberally.
- Place in the oven on BROIL for approximately 3 minutes. Watch they do not burn!
- Turn them over and sauce them again. Back into the oven to broil for another 3 minutes or until they start to caramelize.. Remove from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. Enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Tony says
Made it yesterday and it was GREAT!! Thank you
Anne says
Can I cook it in LOW? if yes, for how long?
Michelle says
Spectacular!! They are broiling now! Falling apart delicious! Thank you!
Alex says
Yes loved it but I seared he ribs in a pan first. You never just throw raw meat into a slow cooker. Right?
Reese says
Totally agree! I’m short on time and I’m hoping 4 hours will do!
Breanna Smith says
i do all the time ! it doesn’t matter is always cooks right through , some people prefer to seat before hand to give it more flavor
Ana says
Instead of water can I use beer?
Corey says
Sure! I don’t see why not 🙂
Mary says
Do you think I can do the last part (after they come out of the slow cooker) on the BBQ?
Ginny says
Made these ribs and LOVED them! Is there a way to adapt this recipe to a chuck roast? I love the flavoring. Would probably nix the broiling part, right?
Corey says
You could take out the boiling part for that if you wanted 🙂
Taylor Suzanee says
This might be a silly question. Do I need to change the amount of water if cooking on low? This also might be a silly question, I have a crock pot from the early 70s that has a movable hole on the top. Would I want the hole open or closed when cooking the ribs? Thank you!
Corey says
No you don’t need to add more water
Chish says
Try and use a BBQ sauce that does NOT have corn syrup in it. Weber makes several different flavors that doesn’t contain the easily flammable corn syrup.
Jen Salmon says
omg these were so flavorful and tender, i did cook it on low for about 7 hrs and they were just falling off of the bone. it did not require me to saturate with bbq sauce because the meat had great flavor
Mick C says
So much better than those slow cooked recipes that want you to cover the ribs in liquid effectively boiling them.
Used a teaspoon of brown sugar in the rub too, think I’ll add a bit of chilli next time for a little bit of heat aswell. :). Also added a beef stock cube to the water.
5 star recipe nonetheless, the broiling/grilling of the sauce afterwards elevates it perfectly.
Ophelia says
I don’t have crock pot…. Is there any way I can substitute with instant pot?
Christina says
Omg! This will be my go to for short ribs. They are so delicious!! I did mine on low for 7hrs, so tender.. Thank you for this one.
Sonya Venerable says
I made these twice and they were so delicious. The first time I forgot the oregano but they were still amazing! Thank you for this delicious recipe !
Steve A says
Our meal was excellent. Doubled the rub amounts so I had enough. Cooked on low for 7 hours. Our family highly recommend.
Anne Van Dusen says
These turned out super tender and tasty! I will definitely be making this recipe again. Thank you!
Corey says
So happy you loved it!
Ali says
This turned out perfect. I used Sweet Baby Rays honey bbq and it was so good! Thanks for sharing the recipe