Description
Succulent slow cooker short ribs showcase tender beef braised in rich red wine and herbs, melting with deep, complex flavors. Comfort meets elegance in this hearty dish that promises to delight your palate with its mouthwatering, fall-apart meat and luxurious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1.5 kg (3 pounds) beef short ribs
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine (or additional broth)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Massage the beef short ribs thoroughly with salt and cracked pepper, ensuring complete coverage of each piece.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet at medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for searing the meat.
- Brown the seasoned short ribs on all exterior surfaces until a deep caramel-colored crust develops, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the seared meat into the slow cooker, preserving the flavorful caramelized exterior.
- Within the same skillet, sauté chopped onions, diced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate tomato paste into the vegetable mixture, stirring consistently to develop a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
- Pour the aromatic vegetable combination over the short ribs inside the slow cooker.
- Gently add beef broth, robust red wine, fresh thyme sprigs, and a single bay leaf to create a deeply flavored braising liquid.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the ribs to simmer on low setting for 8-9 hours, or on high setting for 4-5 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender and easily separates from the bone.
- Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf before plating the succulent short ribs with their luxurious cooking sauce over creamy mashed potatoes, soft polenta, or steamed rice.
Notes
- Select bone-in short ribs for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring meat has good marbling.
- Pat meat dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in juices and develops deep, rich flavors.
- Deglaze skillet with wine or broth to capture all caramelized bits, adding extra depth to the sauce.
- Low and slow cooking breaks down tough connective tissues, transforming short ribs into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg